By Margaret Sheard…..
Most people hope for a solution to the Cyprus problem but until people learn to accept and live amicably with each other, how can there ever be peaceful reunification of the island of Cyprus. The word Peace springs to mind, currently amidst all the strife and problems being experienced by our surrounding neighbours, there is in fact Peace in both sides of the currently divided Cyprus. Here in North Cyprus it is so tranquil and peaceful it is hard to imagine that there is such terrible conflict happening in nearby regions.
Why oh why can’t the Greek Cypriots accept the Turkish Cypriots as friends and neighbours, they used to, so why not now, has too much time elapsed? An incident on Sunday 15th May is shocking and the culprits should be brought to task and face the punishment they deserve.
In today’s world where security is a major issue it would be a great surprise if this deplorable attack had not been captured on CCTV film footage and in this case this should be made available to the appropriate authorities in order that they can take action against the perpetrators who are bringing their country into disrepute at a time when a peaceful solution is being sought to the Cyprus problem.
Following is a report in the TRNC news on Monday 16th May.
Turkish Cypriots attacked – “We barely escaped”
Turkish Cypriots were attacked by Greek Cypriots in South Cyprus. Can Kürşat and his two friends who crossed to South Cyprus yesterday were attacked by 100 -150 Greek Cypriots. Kürşat and his friends in the car barely escaped with their lives. Kürşat’s car was also damaged by the Greek Cypriot attackers.
The Greek Cypriots who were holding Greek and APOEL flags attacked Kürşat’s car while they were waiting at the red light on Makarios Street, one of the most crowded streets of Nicosia. No intervention was made by the other Greek Cypriots who were around in order to stop the attackers while Kürşat’s car was being damaged by kicks.
Although the attack occurred while they were waiting at the red light in front of the Greek Cypriot police station, no intervention was made in order to prevent the attack. Kürşat and his friends Ali Şonya and Cenk Hasan made statements to “Haberal Kıbrıslı” newspaper. They said, “We were attacked by 100-150 people. They opened the doors and tried to pull us out. We barely escaped. The car’s bodywork was damaged because of the kicks. There were tens of people around but nobody did anything. If we had not been able to escape we would now be hospitalized.”
Although Kürşat and his friends complained to British police, they got the response that “This is not our duty.”
Kürşat also complained to Lefkoşa Police Department right after he crossed to the TRNC, and added that he will complain to the Greek Cypriot police as well.
Kürşat said, “They should do the necessary to find the attackers. It happened in front of the police station. Such terrorist attacks are unacceptable in this period. Such crimes should not remain unpunished, because such attacks can increase as long as they remain unpunished.”
Source – TRNC Public Information Office
British police?
Thank you Vaughan for your observance. As the messenger of news broadcasts, we know that the translation of Turkish into English can be difficult and in the case of “British Police” we also noted this. This news article has come via a Turkish language newspaper to our source and they may have been referring to the UNPOL and we had no way of back tracking and checking this.
If you want to try and check this incident out yourself, do please click on this link to enquire and let us know your findings by making a further comment
I was born 1961 and I know these people will never change. Because they don’t believe we are the rightful owner of the island. That’s the problem.
What a shame. I think Turkish Cypriots will be better off as they are and not unify with the Greeks as they are not worthy of having unification. The hate is ingrained to the generations after 1974.
Even when I lived in the north, they just reopened the borders and some Greeks would just come across to make trouble in many ways. Though I am going back there to live and will never cross to the south ever again.
About 2 months ago, i went to watch the Air Show Celebrating some TRNC special occasion in Girne. I was over whelmed by the smiling faces and enjoyment everyone was having. I thought then if a crowd of Greek Cypriot Youths were there after “Re-unifiction”, I dread to think what would have happened. It would be a shame if the TRNC had to stop their celebrations because of the fear of trouble
Why go to the greek side?