Head of Üsküdar University Department of Medical Pathology Prof. Dr. İbrahim Öztek provided information regarding Cyprus and its importance within the scope of the 50th anniversary of the Cyprus Victory. Öztek emphasized that Cyprus has hosted many empires and civilizations. While pointing out that the Island of Cyprus has extremely strategic importance for controlling the Eastern Mediterranean, the Suez Canal, and the Middle East, he stated that rich oil and gas reserves further increase the island's importance. Öztek, drawing attention to the fact that massacres against the people of Cyprus continued in 1967 and 1968, noted that the right to life was not recognized for Turks during that period.
Head of Üsküdar University Department of Medical Pathology Prof. Dr. İbrahim Öztek made evaluations regarding the history and importance of Cyprus on the 50th anniversary of the Cyprus Victory.
“They did not recognize the right to life for Turks…”
Öztek reminded that the island of Cyprus, which has hosted many empires and civilizations, was taken from the Venetians in 1571 with 70 thousand martyrs. He said, “After our defeat against the Russians in the 1877-78 Ottoman-Russian War, the Russians advanced to the outskirts of Istanbul. In exchange for stopping the Russians, the island was leased to the British by Abdülhamit II. With our front against Britain in the First World War, Britain completely took possession of Cyprus. The Greek Cypriots living on the island, who were the majority, began to fight against the British and the Turks starting from 1921. With the aim of dominating the island and connecting it to Greece (ENOSIS), the Greek Cypriot National Organization (EOKA) was founded in 1925 by Retired Colonel Grivas, within the framework of the Akritas plan. Grivas, who landed in Izmir as a lieutenant in the Greek army in 1919 and returned to Greece after the defeat in the Battle of Sakarya, along with Makarios, the priest of the island's Christian people, and later the bloodthirsty murderers named Sampson, who dethroned Makarios, targeted the lives, property, and honor of the Turks living scattered across the entire island in 1954, 1958, 1960, 1963, and 1964, and did not recognize their right to life.”
“They were determined to end the Republic…”
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Öztek, speaking about the Greek Cypriot massacre known as Bloody Christmas, said: “As a result of the Zurich and London agreements in 1959, an independent Republic was established on August 16, 1960, with the partnership of Greek Cypriots and Turks. Turkey, Britain, and Greece became guarantor states for Cyprus. Makarios became President, and Dr. Fazıl Küçük became Vice President. However, the Turkish population was an obstacle to Enosis on the island. In 1963, the Greek Cypriots accelerated the Akritas plan with the aim of cleansing Cyprus of Turks. They formed paramilitary forces and were determined to end the joint Republic. In 1963, 364 of our compatriots were massacred in Turkish villages and neighborhoods. The Greek Cypriot massacre, known in Cyprus history as the ‘bathtub massacre’ or ‘Bloody Christmas,’ occurred on December 21, 1963, in Nicosia. EOKA militants raided the home of Medical Major Nihat İlhan, who was serving in the Turkish regiment, and brutally murdered his wife Mürüvvet Hanım and their young sons Kutsi, Murat, and Hakan, who were hiding in the bathtub.”
“Massacres continued in 1967 and 1968”
Öztek stated that Turkey at that time had virtually risen to its feet in response to the events, ready to descend on the island like an eagle and tear its prey apart if allowed. He said, “On August 6, 1964, Grivas's units attacked Erenköy. As our veterans fought a life-or-death battle, the Turkish air force was seen for the first time on the island's horizons and rescued our mujahideen. Meanwhile, the plane of squadron commander Capt. Cengiz Topel was shot down. Topel, who parachuted, fell into the hands of the Greek Cypriots and was martyred after being subjected to severe torture. Unfortunately, on June 5, 1964, US President Lyndon B. Johnson prevented Turkey's attempt to intervene in Cyprus with a letter to our Prime Minister İnönü. The massacres continued in 1967 and 1968. Turkey had virtually risen to its feet in response to the events, ready to descend on the island like an eagle and tear its prey apart if allowed. Nikos Sampson, with the support of the Junta government in Greece, gathered Greek Cypriot officers and Greek National Guard forces and overthrew President Makarios on July 15, 1974. They declared that they had formed a national liberation government and established a Hellenic/Greek republic in Cyprus.”
“It prevented Cyprus from being connected to Greece”
Underlining that Turkey first resorted to peaceful means, Öztek said; “When Prime Minister Bülent Ecevit’s peaceful initiatives yielded no results, the Turkish Armed Forces carried out the Peace Operation on the morning of July 20, 1974. The Turkish army landed in Cyprus by air and sea, securing the rights of Turks on the island. It ensured life safety and prevented Cyprus from being connected to Greece. On August 13, 1975, the Turkish Federated State of Cyprus was established, followed by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on November 15, 1983. This limited operation in Cyprus further incited Greece and Greek Cypriots; the Greek Cypriots, backed by the USA and the EU, disregarded the Turkish presence on the island and established a state recognized by the West on their own. The rich oil and gas reserves discovered around the island of Cyprus, an important part of the Greater Middle East Project, were marketed to developed countries by the Greek Cypriots, and Turkey was brought face to face with these countries.”
“The island of Cyprus has extremely strategic importance”
Öztek, mentioning that rich oil and gas reserves further increase the island's importance, said: “The island of Cyprus has extremely strategic importance for controlling the Eastern Mediterranean, the Suez Canal, and the Middle East. Rich oil and gas reserves further enhance the island's importance. As Turkey's oil and gas drilling, cooperation with Libya, and Blue Homeland doctrines gain importance, and as we resolutely uphold our rights in the Eastern Mediterranean, Greece and the Greek Cypriots will have to step back. Today, it is time for the international recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has taken part in many international sports fields, cultural activities, tourism, and numerous higher education institutions. It is shown within separate borders on some maps. Its parliamentarians are recognized at the UN. It holds observer status within TÜRKSOY, the Organization of Turkic States, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Thus, it has made considerable progress.”
“Important duties fall to Muslim countries”
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Öztek underlined that Turkish civil society organizations and media should consciously work with all their might for the independence of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Öztek said; “Hereafter, in the recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, besides Turkey, important duties fall to Azerbaijan, other Turkic states, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Muslim countries. Russia should even be pressured for this. From now on, all Turkish civil society organizations and media must consciously work with all their might for the independence of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The Republic of Turkey has many international television channels. This body should implement the special programs it prepares for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in the countries where it broadcasts. 45 thousand foreign students are educated in universities in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The international activity and promotion of these universities should be increased. Turkish Cypriot teams should be included in all sports organizations and cultural events held in Turkey. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus should open itself to the world as a tourism paradise.
Turkey should provide for solidly based institutions in Cyprus for Turkish Cyprus. Petro-gas exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean should be continued uninterruptedly.”
Happy 50th Anniversary of the Cyprus Victory!
Öztek, drawing attention to the need for the existence of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to be demonstrated, said: “The existence of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus should be highlighted in all kinds of cultural events, both domestically and internationally. Because Cyprus has been Turkish land for 500 years, and the occupiers here are the Greek Cypriots. On this occasion, happy 50th anniversary of the Cyprus Victory. On July 20, we are re-entering Cyprus with great enthusiasm. We will always remember with gratitude and mercy the great mujahideen of Cyprus who spearheaded the freedom struggle of the Turkish Cypriots, Dr. Fazıl Küçük and founding President Rauf Raif Denktaş, along with Denktaş, the first TMT founders Burhan Nalbantoğlu and Mustafa Kemal Tanrısevdi, the organization's managers Daniş Karabelen Pasha, the first Flag-bearer Colonel Rıza Vuruşkan, all Flag-bearers, and the heroic mujahideen who fought shoulder to shoulder with Mehmetcik. May their souls rest in peace.”