British diplomat causes outrage – Cyprus Today Online

UK Excessive Commissioner says second section of Turkish Peace Operation was a ‘land seize’

By ELTAN HALİL

THE United Kingdom’s most senior official in Cyprus, Excessive Commissioner Irfan Siddiq, sparked outrage by referring to the second section of the 1974 Turkish Peace Operation in Cyprus as a “land seize”.

Mr Siddiq, who additionally triggered a stir by saying that the 1960 Republic of Cyprus Structure is “now not in impact” because of the adjustments “on the bottom” brought on by the Turkish intervention, made the extremely controversial remark at a public occasion held within the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

He was chatting with a bunch of round 100 British residents of North Cyprus who had been invited to a “city corridor” type assembly on the Olive Tree Resort in Çatalköy on Tuesday, June 27.

Whereas Mr Siddiq has visited North Cyprus earlier than to fulfill with the TRNC management and different Turkish Cypriots, this was the primary time that Mr Siddiq, who took up his publish final summer time, has met publicly with members of the British expat group within the TRNC.

Talking solely to Cyprus At the moment forward of the occasion, the highest British diplomat had mentioned he’s “acutely aware that there’s a big British resident group right here within the North” and that he’s “eager to maintain good relations with them”.

“Due to the actual nature of the North, the truth that the self-declared TRNC will not be recognised by anyone other than Turkey, that does create some explicit administrative challenges for the residents. So it’s essential for us to grasp that, which is why I’m right here to fulfill with them.”

Nevertheless the general public gathering, which was additionally attended by two officers from the British Excessive Fee in South Nicosia, was dominated by the Cyprus drawback and the UK’s stance on it, with tensions operating excessive at occasions.

Referring to the occasions of 1974 following a query from the viewers, Mr Siddiq – who later tried to forestall this newspaper from publishing his feedback on the public assembly by claiming he had been talking “off the file” and warning that there could be “penalties” if we did – mentioned: “The truth is that the 1974 battle, some would argue . . . the intervention was justified beneath the system of ensures. 

“From my studying of historical past, there have been two phases to that operation, and arguably, the primary section [on July 20] was reliable, and the second [on August 14] was a land seize.”

His use of the phrase “land seize”, which the Oxford dictionary describes as an “act of shopping for or taking land illegally or in a method that’s thought-about morally unsuitable”, triggered outrage amongst members of the viewers.

One man shouted “you’re speaking absolute rubbish” and really useful that Mr Siddiq “learn this ebook”, The Demise of Friendship by Turkish Cypriot Türkan Aziz, whereas others mentioned “No” and continued to interrupt Mr Siddiq, who at one level threatened to stroll out.

“If you want me to talk then I’m joyful to talk, if you want to talk I can depart and you may communicate,” he mentioned.

Persevering with to speak whereas being heckled by some members of the viewers, Mr Siddiq added: “I perceive it’s emotive and I mentioned I respect the frustration, however there’s no info in politics, there’s perceptions. So it’s a actuality that there was a . . . Greek army junta that stimulated a coup [on July 15, 1974], and there was a threat of Enosis [union of Cyprus with Greece] which triggered a Turkish army intervention. . . At that time, there was a pause within the preventing and earlier than any settlement might be reached, there was a second wave, which took much more territory and land.

“It’s clear that there wasn’t confidence on the Turkish aspect that any political settlement could be passable and due to this fact they needed to create a boundary that gave them strategic depth and permit the presence of extra Turkish troops.

“Now my view of worldwide legislation is that first intervention was arguably justified as a result of it was a direct response to this threat of Enosis and a change to the Constitutional standing, which allows and permits for army intervention by the guarantor powers.

“However they [Türkiye] did that to cease that threat [and] that threat was now not there now as soon as they’d come.

“The second section was a coverage choice. And that coverage choice to attempt to create [a] strategic buffer has penalties, and the implications, identical to, and though folks don’t just like the analogy and the intervention and the justification is completely totally different, however there’s a conflict occurring in Ukraine now as a result of Russia is attempting to alter borders. . . And there’s no legally sanctioned option to change territorial boundaries with out UN help.

“So what the TRNC, by declaring its independence, and what Turkey has accomplished, by occupying a bigger a part of the land than the defensive operation to cease Enosis required, is create political info on the bottom which have penalties.

“And the implications [are that] the TRNC is remoted as a result of no one will recognise it, since you can not set up a state by means of a army operation – that’s what Russia’s attempting to do within the Donbas area [of Ukraine].

“In order a consequence, the one method that this can be resolved is thru a political negotiation. “And till there’s a settlement, that signifies that the TRNC and the Turkish Cypriots can be remoted.

“That’s the unlucky penalties of the way in which that the politics performed out. Now that doesn’t imply that Turkish Cypriots don’t have rights, or shouldn’t be handled pretty, or shouldn’t have the identical aspirations. After all they’ve inherent rights as residents of that united Cypriot state that was established in 1960.

“Now I do know that lots of people say that they have been pressured out [in 1963], due to this fact it’s not their fault, that’s a standpoint I respect, however the actuality is that they’re not going to have the identical rights till you have got a settlement which is agreed, as a result of nowhere in worldwide legislation, within the UN, will anyone recognise that rights might be accrued by means of a army operation.

“And if that’s an uncomfortable reality, I’m sorry to share an uncomfortable reality, however it’s a reality, which is why there’s such a robust response to any try to alter borders by army power, as we’re seeing in Ukraine now.

“The justifications are completely totally different, however the actuality is similar factor, that the world organises to guard the core precept of territorial integrity.” 

Mr Siddiq’s feedback concerning the second section of the Turkish Peace Operation and likening it to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will doubtless anger the TRNC and Türkiye, which say it was crucial to guard Turkish Cypriots, who had been pressured into enclaves and have been nonetheless vulnerable to bloodbath.

These included round 13,000 Turkish Cypriots who have been besieged throughout the outdated partitions of Gazimağusa till they have been liberated by the Turkish Military on August 16, 1974.

Within the interval between July 20 and August 15, 1974, assaults continued on the Turkish Cypriot inhabitants.

The grim justification for the second section of the Turkish army operation was additional supported with the invention of the mass graves of civilians, together with younger kids, from villages equivalent to Muratağa, Atlılar, Sandallar and Tochni (Taşkent).

Michael Stephen, a former British MP and barrister, listed the atrocities that had been dedicated in opposition to Turkish Cypriots throughout the island in the course of the days between the primary and second phases of the Peace Operation, and which have been documented intimately by the worldwide press, such because the Occasions, the Guardian, the Washington Submit, the New York Occasions, France Soir, Die Zeit and the Each day Telegraph.

Offering written proof to the Home of Commons Overseas Affairs Choose Committee as a part of a 2004 inquiry into British authorities coverage on Cyprus, he wrote: “Some folks argue that having defeated the Sampson coup, and Makarios having returned to the Presidential Palace, Turkey ought to have withdrawn and left the Turkish Cypriots once more on the mercy of Makarios, the person who had been answerable for the sooner massacres.

“That proposition has solely to be acknowledged for its absurdity to be appreciated. It should be remembered that UN troops had been in Cyprus since March 1964 and had failed to guard the Turkish Cypriots. The Turkish Cypriots have been later to see what occurred to the Muslim folks of Srebrenica beneath worldwide safety.

“Turkey might discharge its treaty obligation solely by offering a protected haven for the Turkish Cypriots wherein they might dwell in peace and freedom, and by encouraging them to achieve a brand new political association with the Greek Cypriots wherein they might play their half as political equals within the authorities of the island.”

‘TRUST DEFICIT’

Through the assembly with British residents, Mr Siddiq additionally mentioned that the TRNC authorities have been taking a more durable stance with regards to cooperating with the British and UN authorities on the island by “difficult the Greek Cypriot desire for a bicommunal answer”, equivalent to ending bicommunal initiatives, which is: “Making the Greek Cypriots assume that it’s not really so comfy to only sit on their seat and say ‘we’ll proceed to isolate the Turkish Cypriots, they are going to really feel the ache, in some unspecified time in the future they’ll come and in the event that they don’t, we’re superb anyway, so it doesn’t trouble us’. I believe that logic and that evaluation is altering.”

He added that the brand new Greek Cypriot chief Nikos Christodoulides has been making it clear that the “establishment will not be comfy” and that “if one thing isn’t accomplished to attempt to create a brand new push for a resumption of talks and backbone of the issue, there’s a threat that the North could be misplaced”.

Mr Siddiq continued: “I believe that threat is changing into increasingly actual for the Greek Cypriots. “And due to this fact, I believe regardless of there being an enormous quantity of scepticism, I believe they’re real after they say they wish to resume talks they usually actually wish to get an settlement.”

Stating that the “incentives and pressures” for an answer have modified because the final try in 2017, and referring to the “troublesome financial scenario” in Türkiye because of the devaluation of the Turkish lira, Mr Siddiq mentioned there are “potential incentives that might be placed on the desk for Turkey” however that the “greatest drawback for the time being” is the “huge lack of belief and confidence between the 2 sides” and that “one thing must be accomplished to bridge that belief deficit”.

“And since the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey aren’t those who’re advocating for a federal answer now, it in all probability wants to come back from the Greek Cypriot aspect,” he mentioned.

“In my discussions with the Greek Cypriot management, I believe they’ve begun to internalise that they could must do one thing. They’ve began with this pitch for a much bigger EU position, which basically is attempting to make the advantages and incentives for Turkey by means of a greater relationship with the EU clearer.”

With management elections this 12 months in South Cyprus, Türkiye and Greece now over, Mr Siddiq mentioned he believes a “window of alternative” has now opened for the Greek Cypriot management to “attempt to breach that belief deficit and persuade Turkish Cypriots and Turkey that it’s price coming again to the desk”.

TRNC TRYING TO ‘CAUSE PAIN’

Describing how the angle of the TRNC authorities has shifted just lately, Mr Siddiq mentioned: “The self-declared TRNC desires to be recognised and desires to be normalised and have relations with the world. 

“It doesn’t like the truth that no one apart from Turkey recognises it. So whereas up to now, possibly we had an understanding with the TRNC, they usually tried to facilitate administrative challenges, as a result of they needed to have a relationship with us, I believe they’ve bought bored with ready for us to accede to their place, and they also’ve shifted place a bit bit. 

“And they’re in lots of instances, identical to they’re doing with the Greek Cypriots, [where they are] intentionally creating issues the place they’ll, for us . . . they’ve chosen to make issues more durable, and that’s a deliberate selection for them.

“And it’s according to their method that ‘if folks received’t help our imaginative and prescient of how we wish to function then, we received’t make issues simple for you’.”

Giving one instance of an space the place, in response to Mr Siddiq, the TRNC is making issues tougher for British officers, he referred to the issue of kids who’re topic to courtroom orders within the UK being kidnapped, normally by one among their mother and father, and brought to North Cyprus, a difficulty that has beforehand been reported by this newspaper.

“We frequently have conditions the place there are kids who’re probably in danger within the North, [and] the caregivers [are] possibly not even in a match state to help them. 

“And we’ve requested for entry to examine that the youngsters are OK, that they’re not being exploited or abused, they usually received’t give us the entry, don’t give us any data as a result of they form of cover behind a really draconian knowledge safety legislation and say, ‘No, that is our accountability. We’re not going to provide you any help on this’.

“So it has very materials influence, and we’ve requested them, it’s a humanitarian problem, it’s a safeguarding problem, [but] they’re not budging. 

“So, sadly, on a few of the different administrative points the place they’ve probably the authority to make issues simpler for us . . . I don’t assume that they’re essentially going to exit their option to make issues simple for us as a result of they need, identical to with the Greek Cypriots, to trigger ache for anyone on this planet who will not be adhering to or accepting their world view, that they need to be recognised as a separate state. 

“And we’ve had fairly excessive stage discussions with the Turkish Cypriot authorities on this, they usually haven’t actually budged.”

‘FRINGES AGAINST RECONCILIATION’

Responding to feedback from one other member of the viewers about Greek Cypriot “ethnic cleaning” and Eoka terrorists, Mr Siddiq replied to applause from different attendees: “Should you assume all Greek Cypriots, the vast majority of them, are fascist terrorists – that’s what you form of urged, that they’re terrorists – when you assume that they’re intrinsically inimical and have hatred in direction of Turkish Cypriots, and might’t reconcile, I respect your standpoint. I don’t agree with that. 

“I dwell on the South aspect. I meet our Greek Cypriots. I believe folks internationally are simply folks. And there’s historical past that creates dangerous blood. However we shouldn’t dwell in historical past as a result of we’ll by no means progress. 

“So I can see Turkish Cypriots eager to see reconciliation. I can see Greek Cypriots eager to see reconciliation. I can see some fringes who’re in opposition to that, however I believe they’re fringes and they’re the minority and I believe we attempt to work with the bulk to attempt to create a greater future. 

“Now when you’ve given up on that, that’s your proper, and I respect your place. I haven’t given up on that. And I’m going to work to attempt to realise that reconciliation. And possibly I’ll get nowhere as you assume I’ll. However I’ll attempt to I’d moderately spend my life attempting to realize higher outcomes, than quit.”

‘VICTIMHOOD’

In response to a different remark from a member of the viewers concerning the distinction between the content material of historical past books offered to colleges on either side of Cyprus, Mr Siddiq had this to say: “There’s a contested historical past . . . and there are competing narratives. And what’s actually attention-grabbing for me is that on either side you have got this sense of victimhood. It’s as clear on the opposite aspect as it’s right here. 

“So right here [the Turkish Cypriots are] numerically smaller really feel like, you recognize, the Greek Cypriots are isolating and dominating [them] . . . and on the opposite aspect, they really feel the identical as a smaller quantity in opposition to Turkey, and Turkey is dominating. . . these competing narratives, and people totally different perceptions, are the foundation of the issue, as a result of it signifies that folks don’t perceive the opposite.”

On the difficulty of accelerating army ties between South Cyprus and the US and France, who should not guarantor nations of Cyprus, Mr Siddiq mentioned the 1960 Structure of the Republic of Cyprus doesn’t stop it from having relations with different nations.

He additionally mentioned that following the UK’s exit from the European Union, British residents at the moment are “third nation” nationals.

Mr Siddiq additionally denied that British residents are being “discriminated” in opposition to for dwelling within the TRNC, telling the viewers: “You selected to come back right here realizing it’s not a recognised state.”

Through the public assembly, which lasted for effectively over an hour, different matters such because the one-day “TOM” automobile insurance coverage for British residents desirous to drive from the TRNC to South Cyprus, issues accessing the Waynes Preserve Navy Cemetery positioned within the UN Buffer Zone, finish of life care and the ageing inhabitants, and passports and the pressing assortment of journey paperwork have been additionally mentioned.

Mr Siddiq mentioned he could be very joyful to carry one other assembly with British residents to speak “much less about historical past” and extra about consular issues.

On the British Residents Society’s ongoing marketing campaign to foyer the British authorities and MPs to finish the isolation of North Cyprus, Mr Siddiq mentioned “good luck with that”.

‘GLARING ERRORS’

British Residents Society chairman Julian Mawdesley, who was amongst those that listened to what Mr Siddiq needed to say, mentioned the Excessive Commissioner “introduced no new surprises” for residents dwelling in North Cyprus.

Sharing his “private interpretation” of the gathering, Mr Mawdesley mentioned Mr Siddiq is on a “hiding to nothing with regards to the TRNC”.

“All of us want to grasp that it doesn’t matter what the British Excessive Commissioner thinks personally, he’s the consultant of the British Authorities and has to help ‘the social gathering line’.

“Sure, he made some obvious errors on historical past and land possession, for which the attendees have been fast to leap on, however how a lot of this comes from advisers?”

Mr Siddiq’s public assembly with British folks dwelling in North Cyprus is believed to be the primary since a former excessive commissioner, Matthew Kidd, met with British residents on the Le Chateau Lambousa resort in Lapta in October 2017.

That too created controversy, when Mr Kidd mentioned that worldwide recognition of the TRNC could be “harmful”, resulting in life peer Lord Maginnis asking the British authorities in Parliament if it might be taking any “disciplinary motion” in opposition to Mr Kidd.

This story first appeared within the print version of Cyprus At the moment dated July 1, 2023.