I would like to refer to the letter from the Turkish Student Association published in the DE on Nov. 29. In their letter, the writers claim to be providing an honest lesson in history. Unfortunately, they have misrepresented official treaties and facts, in an attempt to convince people that Turkey invaded Cyprus for what they claim to be a humanitarian reason. The authors assert that Turkish Cypriots were defenseless against Greek Cypriots and that Turkey had to invade Cyprus to save them. They also cite the London-Zurich treaty signed by Turkey, Greece, and Britain. Nowhere in that treaty does it say that the guarantors can invade Cyprus, kill defenseless Greek Cypriots, violently expel 200,000 Greek Cypriots from their homes, and continue occupation of 37 percent of Cyprus for 21 years. The treaty does not give the right to any of the guarantors to invade Cyprus, settle troops and illegal settlers from Turkey, ruin churches and archaeological monuments, and try to completely alter the demographic character of the island. No report by the UN or other international organization has ever cited that Turkey invaded Cyprus to help the Turkish Cypriots. Instead, all such documents urge Turkey to withdraw Turkish troops from Cyprus and to stop violating human rights on the island (UN Resolutions number 353, 365, 367, and 716, to list a few).

In their letter to the DE, the authors mention EOKA, and claim that it was a terrorist Greek Cypriot organization. The truth is that Cyprus was a British colony and EOKA was an anti-colonial organization fighting against the British. We were fighting for our country, Cyprus. Soon after independence, Turkey invaded and spread misery and pain. Why? Simply because Cyprus has an excellent strategic location cross-linking the three continents of Asia, Africa and Europe.

No nation, whether it be Turkey or other, whether backed by superpowers or not, can keep us under their authority. Eventually, we will win. For one reason and one reason only:we love our country. It is that simple.

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