READER COMMENTS
Guest - Erden (2010-01-27 01:18:26) :
Ilknur, you are not welcome in my country that is TRNC, I don't think you are really a Turk anyway, TRNC wellcomes all races but not hostile people like yourself.
Guest - dimitri (2009-12-01 17:51:13) :
Ilknur you are racist, so I suppose if a unified cyprus with a Turkish administration in the north exists anyone non turkish is not acceptable,?my friend if your child , mother or father ever needed a transplant to save their life and the only match was a greek cypriot, would you decline?don't be so extreme in your views, it is people like you who have poisoned cyprus and caused pain for all. You know as well as I do that it was the divide and rule approach of the British which kick started events....
Guest - Ilknur (2009-11-30 11:46:29) :
Trnc was set up by Turkey for Turkish people to enjoy. It belongs to us not the Turkish Cypriots. We fought for it, we spilt blood for it, we fund it entirely,so Erden is wrong to suggest it belongs to the Turkish Cypriots. Turkish Cypriots can work for us but those who dream about statehood can move south and join their buddies.
Guest - Sebahat (2009-11-30 02:30:24) :
I think Prime MinisterErdogan should add a new condition tofinancial loans to Turkish Cypriots next year. Allocate money for the restorationof religious buildings. We give money to theseTurkish Cypriots yet they give it all to their family and friends and do not help their homelandAnd heritage.
Guest - Erden (2009-11-28 20:36:03) :
Turkey does not convert anything into anything, TRNC is under TURKISH CYPRIOT control, if you want to sue anyone sue the TRNC, since you do not recognize it then just shut up. TRNC is independent we do as we wish, no EU court nor anyone has authority over our State, if you think you do then lets see you try and invade us.
Guest - Gary Miller (2009-11-27 09:13:31) :
Its a shame that a country of Republic of Turkey that want to join all Christian club(European union) its occupying the northern part of Cyprus and converts houses of worship,Churches into animal staples,nightclubs and army barracks,those idiot Europeans(ones that support Turkey) should wake up and see the Turks for what they really are
Guest - dimitri (2009-11-26 15:42:04) :
Ethnic cleansing "the planned deliberate removal from a specific territory, persons of a particular ethnic group, by force or intimidation, in order to render that area ethnically homogenous." So to answer your question at first the 50,000 turkish cypriots who left for abroad since 74 have been ethnically cleansed, but they have the right to return and take up residence on either side of the island, so technically they are back to square one, as you know the Greek cypriots are not at liberty to get up and return home, the north is made up of a majority turkish settlers and this combined with the fact that the Greek cypriots were forced out in 74 smells of ethnic cleansing.....Hurriyet please publish this not propaganda by Greeks but it simply a reflection of facts
Guest - DAVE (2009-11-25 20:01:15) :
I'd like to know what number constitutes ethnic cleansing: is it 1,000,000 Armenians marched into the Syrian desert, or 100,000+ Greeks forced out of Istanbul, or is it 50,000+ turkish Cypriots that have left Cyprus since 1974.
Guest - noname (2009-11-24 20:37:59) :
just sit and count the baaaad countries that turkey has blamed recently for issues Greece,cyprus,armenia.israel,england,france,germany,usa,even china ,of course the kurds of many areas..All these bad people have harmed turkey and the turks are the good guys the victim..Is anyone left in he world who believes them?i do not think so..
Guest - noname (2009-11-24 13:23:19) :
7hills there are not two equal sides here..the one are the turks that are well known propagadists and everyone knows that they blame everyone pf everyrhing..and when i say everyone i mean everyone even their allies..this is their methods..blaming for nonsense in order to no answer..i know what they will write before they will do this..so what is the reason to hear them..as for the churches etc ,just go to konstantinopolis or cyprus to see what they did ..and then go to greece to see the difference..as for crete you know very well that during the ww2 the most of crete ,villages etc was burned ..do not use even this to blame us..
Guest - Enturk (2009-11-24 12:23:14) :
@Jason - your suggestions & ideas are all completely un-democratic in every way. You are your own biggest enemy with that logic as though you are the only victims here. So what do we do, destroy turkey for saving her citizens from your annihilation campaigns & then make friends? What were you asking 1 trillion? Sounds peculiarly similar to a Mr. Austin Powers demands. Leave it with us to ponder & similarly review all the other 'present day' TRILLION dollar lawsuits against nations for saving its citizens. For the record, dont call us, well call you...
Guest - Enturk (2009-11-24 12:01:58) :
@Basil - I recognize in you some reconciliatory & diplomatic tones as opposed to your "ultra-nationalist, ultra-theocratic" brothers. Unfortunately you are still not quite there in terms of an even take, you are still keenly, albeit, stealthily favouring the respect of churches over mosques & recognizing greek losses over turkish losses. Your getting there, but not quite yet so keep taking those steps, at least you are on the right path...as for the others, they are still lost in the ENOSIS dreams & megalo concepts, which is older than their origins themselves & then they give us lessons on modernizing & democracy...give us a break!
Guest - D Kavaz (2009-11-24 11:29:24) :
The Greek Orthodox Church; I would give the Greeks credit for their past legacies their beautifull buildings, palaces the Olympic Games, maths and their plilosohies; however when it comes to their Church I am not so sure. al thought this event is long gone, neverthless is not forgoten; the well organized and conniving tecniques used on the on human cleansing in nthe Balkan States were not ne or coincidental; the Greek Cypriots and E.O.K.A had used the same diobolical mrthods on the Turkish Cypriots from 1963 to 1974.; althought Turkey intervined and holted the ethnic cleansing in Cypros;neverthless the prior the Turkish intervention the ethnic cleasing methods were past on (covey) to the Balkan States via Greece by the Greek Orthodox Church leaders; As a result the Serb arm force and red bered militias (thugs) had cocommited Europes worse crimes in 50 years. The Greek Ortodox Church just like other fenatical institutions are using religion as a tool (as they are doing right now in Cyprus) to unify the masses and use GOD to justify their actions.
Guest - Enturk (2009-11-24 10:46:11) :
@AMG - an shameless, pitiable, completely arrogant take on cyprus - ..."Live isolated in occupied land, on seized property, harvensting the oranges from the trees that others planted. As for the Greeks we will go on with our little piece of the island"...megalo, megalo, megalo! He is still dreaming about the oranges he planted - what a joker?! How about all the "maydonoz & guru pakla" we planted (thats parsley & beans), who will compensate them?! My goodness, you people are unbelievable...get over the past, he says but give us the oranges back?! Where do you go with that mentality anyway?
Guest - jack (2009-11-24 10:19:10) :
@emir soler: greece is in the european union as it is a european country, the birthplace of western civilization. once turkey complete their obligations and becomes a western civilization they will be let in.
Guest - your teacher (2009-11-24 10:07:29) :
its funy how turks commited the first genocide and they dont wane face it but have been enjoying the use of the word lately lollll
Guest - 7 Hills (2009-11-24 06:46:50) :
See.. just as I have commented earlier; both sides have something to say, blaming the other side. Who can believe either of them? Each side says the other side stole something, one side sounds like they really think the Turks got bored in Turkey and just decided to send troops to the island for sport or something. Sounds like time for another unbiased group to look for some answers and then try to move forward. Killing, stealing, looting, ethnic cleansing.. that is a lot to try to forget and move forward from. Good luck..
Guest - Basil (2009-11-24 05:55:01) :
People need to show some respect towards each other. If the Turkish Government can restore some of the old churches in the Turkish areas, then it should do so as a gesture of good-will. I don't think a church should be used as a stable or whatever. I don't have the facts, but a Greek Orthodox church or a Maronite Catholic church should be respected just as a mosque should be respected. Right? I understand Greek inhabitants came to Cyprus first. However, Canaanite-Phoenician inhabitants were there. These were relatives of the Lebanese. Then, Greeks took over, and then Turks took over parts of it. I think some Greeks were ethnic cleansed, and that was wrong. I think Greek paramilitaries mishandled things which led to the Turkish Army coming to the island. I think a mistake was committed by both sides. I am against how the Turkish Army allowed for ethnic cleansing of Greeks, but Turks were also in danger from Greeks. There are two sides to the situation. Some (not all) Greeks thought of Turks as outsiders and took an aggressive action against Turks. That was so stupid since Turkey is a powerful country. And so many people paid for that. Is Greek Cyprus and Greece making sure mosques are maintained? I am not so sure, but people should respect churches regardless. As a good will gesture, why not show good will to the Greek Orthodox church? I think it's a good idea. Let imams and priests meet to discuss the issue. Can we have brotherly understanding over this instead of hatred? Tessekur Ederim Euxapistw parapoli
Guest - Jason Naftis (2009-11-24 05:40:41) :
Everybody is blowing hot air from both sides. Please take time out and allow the EUROPEAN COURTS decide after reviewing the facts; and the facts are 200000 refugees, basic human right violations based on religion and race, destruction of property, use of property without permission of rightful owners etc etc etc. May be a conviction against Turkey for $1,000,000,000,000 (1 trillion U.S. dollars) for war damages, pain and suffering will help provide an incentive to solve the CYPRUS problem. Please let the courts decide and everybody must accept responsibility for what happened and everybody must reap/suffer the consequences of their actions. This is the way issues such as this one are resolved now in 21st century, in a true democratic way. Let's all be civilised and let's not be afraid of DEMOCRACY. Democracy means PEOPLE RULE. Let's have peace and move forward to create a good foundation for the next generation, all of our children Turkish, Greeks, British, Armenians and all others. Peace be with you all.
Guest - AMG (2009-11-24 02:02:55) :
@hunni: you are absolutely right about one thing. Makarios was totally wrong about his attempt to unilaterally change the constitution unfair as it might have appeared to the Greeks ( and it was unfair, i.e. disproportionate resources and jobs to the Turks). But the Turks seized that opportunity to arms themselves and declare the dissolution of the RoC and setting up their separate governments. The mess that followed with killings perpertrated on both sides was too much of a price for an ill advised political move. It has been Turkish policy, however, to create conditions that would promote a separation and division of the island. I was 10 years old and i remembere the Turkish students in Polis, Pafos, parading through the streets yelling Taksim! Partition or death! So, please dont try to convince us that the turkish desire for partition came around as a result of the coup b;y the military junta. By the way, the coup had absolutely nothing to do with the Turks or killing any Turks. It was totally a problem within the Greek community. Your allegations that Turks were executed aftere the coup etc etc are all false and without any foundation. The mutual killilng started once the invasion began and reports of rapes and mass killings of Greek civilians by the turkish army started circulating...not a good story for either Greeks or Turks. So, do we want to look forward and find ways to live together in peace or not? If not, I am all for the implementation of popular will: the Turks want partition so let it be. Live isolated in occupied land, on seized property, harvensting the oranges from the trees that others planted. As for the Greeks we will go on with our little piece of the island and work hard to improve our living standards through good educational systems and economic development. Good luck to you! or, those Turks who wish to cross over and work with the Greeks for better wages and dignity they are welcome too!!! There are a lot of them today doing just that.
Guest - Niko (2009-11-23 23:49:23) :
CYPRUSFORCYPRIOTS, you should be ashamed of yourself talking bad about our holy church. ntropi sou re!!!
Guest - Andreas Yeorgiou (2009-11-23 23:40:32) :
@HIlls: interesting commentary and conclusion. You seem to put yourself above the fray in a holier than thou attitude. The Turks and Greeks may have their differences and idiosyncrasies. But you,my friend, whatever your background is do not insult us with your condescending attitude. If you are English, Hills, then you have a lot to be sad about yourself. What do you call it, Pakistan, India, Yemen, Kenya, Cyprus, Aden, you name it. Where have you left as a colonial power and the country you left behind are thankful for the great civilization and prosperity you left behind. You led many a crusade against the moslems and the jews and the christians of other denominations and started conflicts that the world is still paying the price for. Sad, sad, sad!
Guest - Erden (2009-11-23 23:00:26) :
CYPRUS4CYPRIOTS you and I know that you animals tried to illegally change the constitution of Cyprus and tried to illegally unite with greece, you illegally built on Turkish land on Larnaca and Buf airport, you illegally killed thousands of Turkish Cypriots thats called genocide, the ancient greeks (whom you have no relation to what so ever) invented the word Hypocrite you greek cypriots perfected the meaning!
Guest - Fotis (2009-11-23 19:57:41) :
Vous le savez très bien, mais vous le cachez chaque fois qu'il est question pourquoi la partie nord de la République de Chypre ne bénéficie pas des avantages de l'entrée de TOUTE l'île à l'Union Européenne : Parce que le nord est occupé par l'armée turque. Que la Turquie retire l'armée d'occupation , que la réunification se fasse, tous les habitants de Chypre feront partie de l'Union Européenne C'est l'UE qui a décidé ainsi, l'acquit Communautaire est suspendu à la ligne de démarcation. Débarassez Chypre des soldats turcs, pour jouir de tous les avantages de l'Union Européenne. Compris ?
Guest - Emir Soler (2009-11-23 19:32:28) :
I wonder who will pay these people. This person is Greek Antonis Angastiniotis listen what he said about his own people: It was Greeks Cypriots who massacred Turkish villages of Aloda ,Maratha and Sandalari . It was The Greek Cypriots of the Neighbouring villages, along with army personnel, attacked these villages. They shot the children, the mothers and any old people of these villages, 126 people who were killed, human rights Greek activist Antonis Angastiniotis had called on the Greek Cypriot people to apologize to the Turkish Cypriot people, prosecute the culprits and pay compensation to the families of the deceased.
Guest - Cretins in Crete (2009-11-23 18:42:55) :
People! people! please do not use as an example of "Greek brutality" the inhabitants of Crete. They belong to a different class/race/nationality by themselves. Crete is countries within a country. They are proud people. About what I have no idea!! How can they get along with other nationalities when they can not even get along with each other!!
Guest - Emir Soler (2009-11-23 18:31:26) :
Now we all know why Cyprus is in EU, it wont be long which all EU members will be fed up with Greek Cypriots (Cyprus is not even in EU) Greeks are in EU for handouts, and it is official Greece is the most corrupt nation in EU.
Guest - noname (2009-11-23 18:08:51) :
i waited for this..the easiest way for someone who can not answer is to blame .. what happened to the mosques in crete?well they are the same way they used to be but a bit older...cause we do not need to use them for everything or to steal from them as you did ..what to steal anyway..you are the ones who live still in houses that the greeks left when they left in 1920 or later without restoring them and some times they fell on your heads in the earthquakes.. As for the both sides ...we are not both sides..the fact that we live near to the turks ,they moved near to us does not mean that we are the same ...we are the first people who used to live here and a completely other race..so of course not barbarians or asians or islam or whatever.. our neighbors are not our fault and we did not invite them here..
Guest - CYPRUS4CYPRIOTS (2009-11-23 18:06:51) :
Enturk if you are one of the many settlers who got a 'free' place to live courtesy of the 1974 events then I am not surprised that you are trying to spread fear and hate amongst, you know as well as I do that where you live was acquired by force illegally and feeling under threat brings out these ridiculous comments from you, do you really think the youth of today are as fanatic and anti greek or anti turkish as you are?????you get free electricity and healthcare and many other benefits and the cyprus government is trying to ethnically cleanse you ???
Guest - CYPRUS4CYPRIOTS (2009-11-23 18:00:50) :
Greek Cyprus? Greece does not own Cyprus, get your statements correct please, personally I view the church in general as corrupt and built on the fears of people,.but please do not bring Crete into this or the Greek state for that matter, cyprus is cyprus, and so look at the facts and I have to agree with John: the state of the Hala Sultan mosque � the most prominent Islamic shrine on the island and which is in the free areas of Cyprus � with that of the monastery of Apostolos Andreas, the most prominent Christian monument in Turkish-occupied Cyprus � (For those who don't know, the mosque has been carefully preserved, while the monastery is being allowed to fall apart). It cannot be correct to use former places of worship as a place for livestock!or entertainment!
Guest - hayuhi (2009-11-23 17:43:39) :
It is a well established historical fact that Turks have been known for destruction than construction when it comes to other nation's heritage. The comments one reads about the invasion of Northern Cyprus and the justification for it, just goes to show the depth of denial. Next thing that we may hear would be the "fact" that Zeus himself was Turkish!
Guest - hunni (2009-11-23 17:36:28) :
@ andreas georgiou. You people call my country the turkish republic of north cyprus the occupied areas so we call your side the greek occupied areas ! If we take your logic we should give cyprus to the Lebonise as the phonicians were the first people there. It is greek cypriots like you who make us the turkish cypriots miss trust you all. If the greek cypriots,sampson and EOKA B did not kill us and the madman of the church makarios who hijacked the cyprus republic we would have been 1 country and the turkish army would not have had to intervine to stop the killings by greek cypriots of turkish cypriots.The turkish army are in the TRNC to stop people like you ever coming to us to kill us.
Guest - Gregoire (2009-11-23 17:36:05) :
Lets not take the story from Adam and Eve. There is still time for the damage to be reversed, for Greek and Turkish Cypriots to live together. And the first step would be to take the armies off the island. Let the Turkish Cypriots free. Otherwise, if you keep the partition then yes, it will be religious cleansing, and it will be an abominable act. Lets pretend that the Turkish Army moved in only to protect the Turkish Cypriots. And now that they are safe the Army can go. Lets turn a blind eye and smile with kindness when the Army leaves. And give the Turkish Cypriots a chance to live their lives as true Europeans.
Guest - Christoph (2009-11-23 17:34:26) :
This is only the beginning. The EU courts are going to have a field day settling human rights and property rights cases against Turkey for Cyprus violations. It'll cost Turkey Billions of Dollars in the end. Expensive. but violating international law and commiting Ethnic Cleansing are taken very seriously these days. Turkey can't hide from the results of it's actions anymore, this is a new world and everyone has to abide by the laws.
Guest - Thomas (2009-11-23 17:18:20) :
To Ergun : Lets do not talk only for Crete.Lets take things correctly from the beginning : 400 years of Otoman occupation of Greece and 300 years of Otoman occupation of Cyprus.Count the dead Greeks of Greece and Cyprus during all those years.Count the total prohibition of education,the persecutions,the gatherings of Greek newborn babies and their removal from their families in order to be raised up as Turks and not Greeks.When you make this and apologise then we can speak for anything you might want to speak.But believe me you will not have many things to speak about.
Guest - 7 Hills (2009-11-23 16:49:13) :
Here we go again.. pointing fingers, no one taking responsibility for their uncivilized behavior. Hopefully with the lawsuit, some answers will come and someone will be charged for the injustices mentioned in the lawsuit. It is sad when someone destroys things that other people love, and it sounds like something both sides would do.. and probably have done. Both groups here need a time out because I don't think either one is innocent of injustice to others. Both sides don't need much encouragement to act uncivilized and show their true barbaric tendencies. Both sides seem to look for anything to use.. and tease the other side with.. provoke.. or whatever you want to call it. Sad people.
Guest - John Kimon (2009-11-23 16:01:19) :
Let's compare the state of the Hala Sultan mosque – the most prominent Islamic shrine on the island and which is in the free areas of Cyprus – with that of the monastery of Apostolos Andreas, the most prominent Christian monument in Turkish-occupied Cyprus – and then let's decide who practices ethnic cleansing and cultural destruction. (For those who don't know, the mosque has been carefully preserved, while the monastery is being allowed to fall apart). As always, the Turkish side to obscure the truth about ethnic cleansing in Cyprus comes up with the ludicrous claim that it was the Turkish Cypriots who were the real victims. The same Turkish logic applies to the Armenian genocide, i.e. it wasn't the Armenians who suffered from genocide but the Armenians who attacked the Turks who, if they killed any Armenians, only did so in self-defence. Turks might believe this nonsense, but no-one else does.
Guest - Ergun (2009-11-23 15:51:52) :
Question to the Greek Cypriot Church and Cypriots in general: Does anyone know what has happened to the mosques and the turkish population who used to live in Crete (Kritu)? Is there a statiute of limitations for ethnic cleansing? The answer is no, there is not. What is the European court of Human Rights going to do if they are asked to look into what happened in Kritu several years ago?
Guest - noname (2009-11-23 15:25:58) :
mr misplaced passion you are not well informed..the fact that you have destroyed churches that were treasures of the wholr world makes everyone capable of blaming you for this..Especialy the christians...blaming instead of apologizing is an easy thing ..Some times the thief shouts in order to scare the good people..this does not help..
Guest - passion misplaced! (2009-11-23 14:29:55) :
Mr Ioannou, you are not the person to speak of how Chyrches are treated in our Turkish republic of cyprus.Do not be blind to the misery and desacration the Greeks have inflicted to Mosques and other places of worship in their midst.You may have the corrupt ear of the European media on your side.... BUT you do not and never will have the European People to your way of Bias ! The Greeks have committed a Great injustice to the Humanity ! Look Forward.
Guest - Just-In Wonder-Ing (2009-11-23 14:02:41) :
To anyone who blames others for their problems please ask yourself: How come our neighboors do not like us or trust us (Christians or Muslims)? Why do we keep having problems with our minorities (if we have any left)? Why people who voice their opposition get jailed or killed? or (my favorite question...) Why do we need our army to protect us from ourselves? And if your answer is "Because we are better than anybody else and they are jealous of us", then I'd like to welcome you to the world of Paranoia!!
Guest - Andreas Georgiou (2009-11-23 13:47:18) :
To Hunni : Since when Cyprus has Greek-occupied parts?The Greeks have been in Cyprus since 4000 years now.The first ever Turks that came in Cyprus were in 1578 that means 400 years ago.Learn history first before you start writing comments.We are sick and tired of people like you twisting facts.During the bicommunal conflicts during the years 1960 to 1968, 350 Turks and 270 Greeks were killed.Is this ethnic cleansing?Read about who started the conflict first and ask your Rauf Denktash and the Special Warfare Office of the Turkish Army.They will tell you all the details how THEY initiated the conflict.You think that you know everything but you know NOTHING. To Enturk : Who actually did ethnic cleansing in Cyprus?Who send 40000 troops and removed 200000 people from their homes?Was it the Greeks?And since when wanting to worship in our churches means ethnic cleansing?
Guest - Peter Ioannou (2009-11-23 12:09:49) :
I believe this is a move that came way too late. I find it very interesting that the Turkish population do not find it demeaning to take a church and convert it to a mosque as if they have no ability themselves to build a mosque. What happened in the occupied part of Cyprus is a disgrace to civilization and an insult to the majority of civilized Turkish people. For people who have any doubt they should visit the mosques in the south part of Cyprus and compare with the status of the churches in the occupied part. Needless to say that the occupied part has a strong army to protect every tree let alone buildings. But they did not. On the contrary they allowed the looting and destruction of precious to humanity Byzantine churches, mosaics etc and allowed their conversion to mosques, stables, cafes etc. Will any European see this and agree that a country with such policies belongs to the EU family?
Guest - hunni (2009-11-23 11:46:13) :
well what do you expect from the greek cypriot church. I have seen priest with a rifle in hand shooting from a church at people and there are photos to prove that. What did the greek cypriots do to our mosques in the greek occupied areas of cyprus. The turkish soldiers are in the turkish republich of northern cyprus to stop the greek cypriots killing us as they did before. This is the same greek cypriots who want re unification and to re occupy us ? we will never forget how you pushed us into 3% of the island and killed many of us. We will not forget the in human embargo you have against us and your lies and twisting of the truth.
Guest - Enturk (2009-11-23 11:37:03) :
These people have no shame - nothing will ever stop them in their relentless pursuit of "CLEANSING TURKS" & bringing continuous misery to their daily lives with the 'little' power they have. They constantly always & forever wield this mistaken power granted by the ever-corrupt EU for no other than evil, insolent purposes. No good will clearly ever come from these attitudes...unbelievable
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