Hellenic Vanguard: Activism and Campaigning

Bankers are the dictators of the West

2012-02-01T03:47:00.001+02:00

Robert Fisk
source: London Independent (10 December 2011)

Writing from the very region that produces more clichés per square foot than any other "story" – the Middle East – I should perhaps pause before I say I have never read so much garbage, so much utter drivel, as I have about the world financial crisis.

But I will not hold my fire. It seems to me that the reporting of the collapse of capitalism has reached a new low which even the Middle East cannot surpass for sheer unadulterated obedience to the very institutions and Harvard "experts" who have helped to bring about the whole criminal disaster.

Let's kick off with the "Arab Spring" – in itself a grotesque verbal distortion of the great Arab/Muslim awakening which is shaking the Middle East – and the trashy parallels with the social protests in Western capitals. We've been deluged with reports of how the poor or the disadvantaged in the West have "taken a leaf" out of the "Arab spring" book, how demonstrators in America, Canada, Britain, Spain and Greece have been "inspired" by the huge demonstrations that brought down the regimes in Egypt, Tunisia and – up to a point – Libya. But this is nonsense.

The real comparison, needless to say, has been dodged by Western reporters, so keen to extol the anti-dictator rebellions of the Arabs, so anxious to ignore protests against "democratic" Western governments, so desperate to disparage these demonstrations, to suggest that they are merely picking up on the latest fad in the Arab world. The truth is somewhat different. What drove the Arabs in their tens of thousands and then their millions on to the streets of Middle East capitals was a demand for dignity and a refusal to accept that the local family-ruled dictators actually owned their countries. The Mubaraks and the Ben Alis and the Gaddafis and the kings and emirs of the Gulf (and Jordan) and the Assads all believed that they had property rights to their entire nations. Egypt belonged to Mubarak Inc, Tunisia to Ben Ali Inc (and the Traboulsi family), Libya to Gaddafi Inc. And so on. The Arab martyrs against dictatorship died to prove that their countries belonged to their own people.

And that is the true parallel in the West. The protest movements are indeed against Big Business – a perfectly justified cause – and against "governments". What they have really divined, however, albeit a bit late in the day, is that they have for decades bought into a fraudulent democracy: they dutifully vote for political parties – which then hand their democratic mandate and people's power to the banks and the derivative traders and the rating agencies, all three backed up by the slovenly and dishonest coterie of "experts" from America's top universities and "think tanks", who maintain the fiction that this is a crisis of globalisation rather than a massive financial con trick foisted on the voters.

The banks and the rating agencies have become the dictators of the West. Like the Mubaraks and Ben Alis, the banks believed – and still believe – they are owners of their countries. The elections which give them power have – through the gutlessness and collusion of governments – become as false as the polls to which the Arabs were forced to troop decade after decade to anoint their own national property owners. Goldman Sachs and the Royal Bank of Scotland became the Mubaraks and Ben Alis of the US and the UK, each gobbling up the people's wealth in bogus rewards and bonuses for their vicious bosses on a scale infinitely more rapacious than their greedy Arab dictator-brothers could imagine.

I didn't need Charles Ferguson's Inside Job on BBC2 this week – though it helped – to teach me that the ratings agencies and the US banks are interchangeable, that their personnel move seamlessly between agency, bank and US government. The ratings lads (almost always lads, of course) who AAA-rated sub-prime loans and derivatives in America are now – via their poisonous influence on the markets – clawing down the people of Europe by threatening to lower or withdraw the very same ratings from European nations which they lavished upon criminals before the financial crash in the US. I believe that understatement tends to win arguments. But, forgive me, who are these creatures whose ratings agencies now put more fear into the French than Rommel did in 1940?

Why don't my journalist mates in Wall Street tell me? How come the BBC and CNN and – oh, dear, even al-Jazeera – treat these criminal communities as unquestionable institutions of power? Why no investigations – Inside Job started along the path – into these scandalous double-dealers? It reminds me so much of the equally craven way that so many American reporters cover the Middle East, eerily avoiding any direct criticism of Israel, abetted by an army of pro-Likud lobbyists to explain to viewers why American "peacemaking" in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can be trusted, why the good guys are "moderates", the bad guys "terrorists".

The Arabs have at least begun to shrug off this nonsense. But when the Wall Street protesters do the same, they become "anarchists", the social "terrorists" of American streets who dare to demand that the Bernankes and Geithners should face the same kind of trial as Hosni Mubarak. We in the West – our governments – have created our dictators. But, unlike the Arabs, we can't touch them.

The Irish Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, solemnly informed his people this week that they were not responsible for the crisis in which they found themselves. They already knew that, of course. What he did not tell them was who was to blame. Isn't it time he and his fellow EU prime ministers did tell us? And our reporters, too?

Multi-dimensional crisis in Cyprus: Christofias's government bears total responsibility for the tragedy

2011-08-05T17:20:00.001+03:00

by Nikolas Stylianou
Research Associate & Security Analyst
Research Institute for European and American Studies, rieas.gr

On the July 11th a tragic incident took place at the Navy Base of Mari (Limassol). 98 containers of gunpowder, explosives, rockets and guns exploded resulting to the death of 13 people from the ranks of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Cyprus and the Cyprus Fire Service.

The current article aims to highlight the background of the catastrophe and underline the personal responsibilities of the President of Cyprus, Mr. Demetris Christofias, the Minister of Defense, Costas Papacostas as well as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marcos Kyprianou.

Background of the Tragedy
The Cypriot-flagged ship “Monchegorsk”, started its journey from Iran with Syria as its final destination. USS San Antonio boarded the ship which was ordered to port in Cyprus where Cypriot authorities, in collaboration with UN experts found 1,980 boxes of powder for 130mm guns and 1,320 cases of powder and powder pellets for 125mm guns, according to a Cypriot government report. Additionally, anti-tank rockets used at the Russian-made Cornet anti-tank complexes used by Hezbollah, were found on the afore-mentioned cargo. Under the Resolutions 1737 (2006) and 1747 (2007) of the Security Council of the United Nations, arms exports from Iran are strictly prohibited. The 98 containers were stored at the National Guard’s Navy Base at Mari (Limassol) and remained there for 30 months despite the warnings from the United Nations Sanctions Committees which had been warning the Cypriot government that the exposure of the containers to extreme weather conditions over extended period of time might have been extremely dangerous. Unfortunately the government paid no attention to the warnings.

To continue with, it needs to be mentioned that the 98 containers were stored right next to the Vasilikos Power Station, the largest in Cyprus. Consequently, the explosion resulted to the wrecking of the Power Station and thus causing major blackouts all over the island.

Chronicle of a Death foretold
This section of my analysis will address the main key-points that led us to the July 11th catastrophe:

- The United Nations Sanctions Committee, as well as Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom, would repeatedly ask the government of Cyprus to deliver the containers to a country, member-state of the United Nations, which held the expertise and experience to destroy and/or neutralize the content – The government of Cyprus remained indifferent to the suggestions of the United Nations and the afore-mentioned countries.

- The government of Cyprus would fear severe diplomatic retaliation from Syria and Iran as a response to the retention of the containers and thus did absolutely nothing towards the destruction/neutralization of the containing material.

- The leadership of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Cyprus would express its deep concerns over the Navy Base security due to the possible instability of the containing military material that would be exposed to extreme weather conditions over an extended period of time. President Christofias’ decision was to keep hold of the material due to “political reasons”. Despite the deep concerns on behalf of the Ministry of Defense as well as the leadership of the National Guard, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Marcos Kyprianou himself as well as the executive branch of the Republic would agree entirely over the storage of the military material at the Navy Base at Mari.

Questions that demand answers
A number of questions arise in regards to the way that the government of Cyprus handled the situation over the past 30 months:

- Why didn’t the government pay attention to the recommendations of the state’s Auditor General / Chief of the National Guard / Commander of the Navy concerning the extrication of the containing material as well as its conveyance to a country which had previous expertise in conventional arms destruction/neutralization?

- Why wouldn’t the government (especially the Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Ministry of Defense) insist on the immediate transportation of the hazardous material to a third country?

- Why didn’t the government accept the U.S demand which provided for the transportation and controlled destruction of the hazardous material to Malta or to another base which comes under the United States European Command (EUCOM)?

- Why didn’t the government ask for the assistance of the EU competent services concerning the handling of the situation especially when the government was in knowledge that it had neither the expertise nor the experience to handle the situation?

- Why doesn’t the President of Cyprus, Mr. Demetris Christofias assume full responsibility for the tragic incident and the death of 13 people since he was in full knowledge (through his Diplomatic Office and specifically the Ambassador Leonidas Pantelides?

- Why would the resigned Minister of Defense, Costas Papacostas claim that the military material would be safe to store “even in a residential area” and plus, next to the largest Power Supply Station of the Republic?

Observations
- The government must resign and declare early elections. The handling of the situation by the government of Mr. Demetris Christofias was leniently deplorable. The government has exhibited criminal negligence which led to the death of 13 people, dozens of injured, the wrecking of the largest Power Station on the island as well as the extended psychological damage suffered by the Cyprus people.

- The drastic cuts in defense budget especially over the last three years have led to the wrecking of the military security infrastructure, as well as the maintenance of the existing military hardware and material.

- Tens of thousands of Cypriot people went out on the streets protesting against the government asking for its resignation. It is worth noting that despite the fact that one week has passed since the explosion and yet, the government has not apologized to the families of the victims.

Larnaca: Important finds at Late Bronze Age site

2011-08-05T17:16:00.000+03:00

Whatever they say, whatever they do, no matter how much they alter history to fit their political prejudices, the land of Cyprus keeps giving out evidence of the centuries-old Greekness of this island.

A LARGE building dating as far back as 1200 BC and a female goddess figurine were only some of the fascinating finds following five-week long excavations at the Late Bronze harbour city of Hala Sultan Tekke in Larnaca.

Inside the 30 by 20m building were both living and working spaces containing spindle whorls and loom weights, which indicate the production of textiles, as well as a plethora of high-quality pottery imported mainly from the Mycenaean world. Jugs, bowls and jars were among the pottery uncovered.

“It’s evidence of the tight contact with the Greek mainland,” said Professor Peter M. Fischer of the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, who headed the excavations, referring to the contents of the building.
The excavations took place from April to May.

The Mycenaean civilisation dates from 1600 to 1100 B.C, during the late Bronze Age in Greece and the Greek archipelago.

“The pottery is Mycenaean therefore imported,” Fischer confirmed stressing that its importance lies in the fact that it is not locally made but was very popular in Cyprus at the time.

According to Fischer some of the findings were imported from Egypt. This was made clear in some of the findings as they were seen to have Egyptian traits.

Questions have been raised as to the origins of some other important findings such as a figurine of a female goddess. “I guess it was produced in Cyprus, we’re not sure though due to its Egyptian traits,” said Fischer adding that it was used as a pendant.

Another significant find was a haematite cylinder seal which Fischer is convinced is Cypriot as another one was found at Kition. “These are used as a kind of stamp and can be put in dye to make a print and it is also a kind of identity card for a person,” said Fischer.

The assemblage also includes locally produced hand-made White Slip bowls and jugs which were exported to Egypt and Greece among other nearby areas, which Fischer explained they were so skilled at hand-making looked wheel made. White Slip is a type of pottery decorated with bright colours and patterns.

The Late Bronze Age harbour city is one of the biggest in Cyprus at 25 hectares, according to Fischer, dating between the 12th and 13th centuries BC. There were also three occupational layers, meaning that the city was destroyed twice, however the foundations of the city go even further back.

Fischer said that he would like to come back as he would be interested in digging further down to see when the city was founded.

Meanwhile, archaeological excavations at the Bronze Age site of Politiko-Troullia uncovered a 40cm stone plank figure, which is female. Its highly abstract form is typical of Cypriot plank figurines, which are normally ceramic and much smaller. The deposits reach up to 4m below the modern surface, making this one of the most deeply stratified sites on the island.

source: 'Cyprus Mail' 05 August 2011, Natalie Hami

Turkish soldiers opened fire against Greek-Cypriot fishermen in Famagusta area

2011-04-20T18:18:00.001+03:00

Yesterday afternoon two Greek Cypriot fishermen sailed their boat near Kappari area in the free areas of Famagusta (South-East of: Cyprus) when Turkish soldiers from the occupied area fired at them six shots forcing them to leave.

This was not the first time an incident like this happened, where the Turkish troops fire against innocent fishermen trying to make their living. Also few months ago a Turkish vessel unsuccessfully attempted to sink a fishing boat.

Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974 and until today the Turkish army illegally occupies the northern part of Cyprus, implementing a policy of ethnic cleansing and apartheid.

Στα ελληνικά: Τούρκοι στρατιώτες πυροβόλησαν ψαράδες στο Παραλίμνι

After Kenya's Mau-Mau, Greek Cypriot EOKA fighters to sue Brits over torture

2011-04-14T17:24:00.001+03:00

VETERAN EOKA members are planning lawsuits against British authorities after the UK High Court revealed secret foreign office files detailing the systematic torture of Kenyans in the 1950s.

The court released the files after four elderly Kenyans sued the British government for their brutal suppression of Mau-Mau rebels, and after a Times investigation the EOKA Veteran’s Association is following suit.

The association claims 14 Cypriots died and hundreds more could have been tortured during interrogations by the British during the 1955-1959 armed struggle against colonial rule. Two of those who died during interrogation were 17.

It is understood that the British government has up to 9,000 documents from 37 colonial administrations, including Cyprus, and the veterans association’s lawyer is now in communication with a London law office.

Former EOKA leader and association head Thassos Sophocleus, 78, told the Times: “We will pursue cases for all those who were tortured. It could be hundreds.”

Sophocleus said: “The truth is we have a similar case to the Kenyans. We are not doing this for the money. It is for the satisfaction of presenting to the international community what the British did to us...instead of giving us our freedom, they tortured and killed us.”

The Times said the existence of Foreign Office files detailing Britain’s brutal response to anti-colonial struggles emerged this month, and that British and Cypriot accounts from the same time document numerous cases of torture on the island.

For example, the Times said, a post-mortem examination on one of the 14 who died in custody, Andreas Panayiotou, 26, found that he had been beaten to death. British police, however, claimed that he had died trying to escape custody: a common cover-up, EOKA veterans say.

Sophocleus, who led a contingent of guerrillas in the Pentadactylos mountains at the age of 24, told the Times that he was tortured for 16 days after his arrest in 1956.

He alleges that his back was flayed with a rope embedded with iron shards and that he was kicked in the head, body and testicles.

Sophocleus was sentenced to life imprisonment for possessing firearms but was released when Cyprus won independence in 1960.

Source: Cyprus Mail, 14 April 2011, Patrick Dewhurst

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Hiding behind legal contortions, the government is refusing to apologise or pay compensation for appalling abuses done in the name of and with the knowledge of the British state, with the intent of preserving a system of racist privilege for white settlers in the east African colony.

The Kenya Human Rights Commission says about 160,000 black people were held in dire conditions in camps run by the British colonial authorities and tens of thousands were tortured to get them to renounce their oath to the Mau Mau rebellion against British rule in the 1950s.

The Foreign Office doesn't deny there was torture and killings in the camps. How could it? Many of the abuses are documented in files discovered in its own archives. They including a telegram from the British governor of Kenya, Sir Evelyn Baring, documenting torture allegations against colonial district officers including "the burning alive of detainees".

Instead the Foreign Office is deploying an array of legal barriers to argue that it is not required to pay compensation. Among the arguments is that Britain's responsibility for its colonial crimes ceased to exist when Kenya became independent in 1963 – a legal convenience that apparently does not apply in Libya where Britain has willed it that responsibility for Gaddafi's crimes has been transferred to the people as a whole and their representatives in the struggle for freedom.

The Foreign Office also argues that these crimes are historic. But they are not history to those who live with the consequences, including the four claimants at the high court such as Ndiku Mutua and Paulo Nzili, who say they were castrated in a British camp. Or to Jane Muthoni Mara who I spoke to in Nairobi several years ago and who described to me how as a 15-year-old she was arrested as a Mau Mau spy and, among other things, tortured under the supervision of a British army officer by being raped with a bottle filled with hot water.

Other prisoners told of being beaten, starved, anally raped and flogged. The official documents found at the Foreign Office acknowledge that prisoners were used as forced labour. Some detainees were tortured so badly they died.

More than 1,000 Kenyan men met their death at the end of a hangman's noose, many after confessions they said were tortured from them.

All of this led a Kenyan colonial judge, Arthur Cram, who was appointed to examine the role of British officials in torture and killings, to draw comparisons with infamous Nazi camps.

"They [British colonial officials] not only knew of the shocking floggings that went on in this Kenya Nordhausen, or Mathausen [sic], but must be taken to be the men who were said to have carried them out. From the brutalising of flogging it is only a step to taking life without qualm," he said in his judgment.

Germany is still apologising and paying compensation for the crimes of the Nazi state in Nordhausen and Mauthausen. It has not tried to say that responsibility dissolved with the collapse of the Third Reich.

Full article: Guardian 08/04/2011 "Torture and killing in Kenya – Britain's double standards", Chris McGreal

Greek-Cypriot refugees reach out to their Turkish-Cypriot compatriots: Together, we can end Turkish occupation!

2011-03-04T03:51:00.002+02:00

Turkish-Cypriots holding the flags of the Republic of Cyprus, a clear act of defiance of Turkish, military occupation. The message is clear: Turkey has to get out, the Turkish-Cypriots want to live in peace with their Greek-Cypriot compatriots.

KYRENIA REFUGEES ASSOCIATION

"ADOULOTI KERINIA", 7 Agiou Ioannou, Strovolos, P.O. Box 23940, 1687, Nicosia - Cyprus
Tel 22-668464, fax 22-668882
e-mail: adouloti.kerinia@cytanet.com.cy
website:http://adoulotikerinia.com

OPEN LETTER TO THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS, ΑΚ/2011, 2/03/2011

In view of the Turkish Cypriot demonstration today against Turkey in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus.

Turkish Cypriot compatriots,

We have been following with interest your reaction against the Turkish hegemony which is strangling the Turkish Cypriot identity and oppressing the Turkish Cypriot community.

We agree with the conclusion arrived at, by the Turkish Cypriot Secretary of the Teachers Union of Elementary Schools, particularly to his reference that the strangling of the Turkish Cypriot identity and the oppression of the Turkish Cypriot community goes back to the 1960s, during which period, Turkey forced the Turkish Cypriots to stop their co-habitation with the Greek Cypriots and began to cultivate the division and the separation on the basis of race and religion.

It was contemptible for our silent majorities of Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots to allow at the time foreign interests and foreign interventions to lead us to the situation we face today. At this moment the obstacle to the restoration of constitutional order in Cyprus, as you have realised and denounce with your mobilisations, is Turkey, which occupies part of the Republic of Cyprus. We call upon you to respond to a joint, general mobilisation for the termination of the Turkish occupation and its consequences. It is only with a common struggle of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots against the Turkish occupation with the following objectives, that your mobilisations will have some value and prospect:

· To get rid of the Turkish continued occupation with the withdrawal of the Turkish occupation forces.

· To get rid of the Turks and other settlers with their return back to Turkey.

· To liberate our common homeland. The solution of Bizonal Bicommunal Federation does not provide for the liberation of our land. It rewards the occupation, rewards TMT and its activities that had as their common aim our geographical separation.

· For all of us, you and we, to return to our homes and properties and with all of our Human Rights fully restored without limitations and restrictions.

· Once this is achieved, all of us, together, being wiser of past events, to shape the Constitutional structure of our European country, on the basis of democratic principles and values, respecting each other and taking into consideration both our race and national origin as well as our religion.

It is only under these conditions that we will safeguard our identity.

With the solution of Bizonal Bicommunal Federation both our identities will have an expiry date.

Compatriots,

We do not want to believe that you will insist or that you will allow, for the creation of a Turkish state built on our properties and to expect at the same time that peace and normal life can be build on such an embezzlement.

Refugee Association Adouloti Kyrenia.

Boy George remembers Cyprus, Archbishop Dimitrios forgets

2011-01-24T04:44:00.002+02:00

"We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented." –Elie Wiesel, Holocaust survivor, former inmate at Auschwitz, author of “Night”.

Gilt-edged occasion: Boy George and composer John Themis with the token of gratitude given them by the Church of Cyprus after the return of the icon, held by an unnamed official with Bishop Porfyrios [photo by 'Daily Mail' 21/01/2011]

BOY GEORGE REMEMBERS CYPRUS, ARCHBISHOP DIMITRIOS FORGETS
For Immediate Release: January 23, 2011
http://cyprusactionnetwork.org/boy_george_remembers_cyprus_archbishop_dimitrios_forgets

When talking about the Turkish invasion and ongoing occupation of Cyprus and its denial, I am reminded of what Elie Wiesel once said "We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented." In the upcoming days Archbishop Dimitrios as spiritual leader of some 3 million Greek Americans will be attending the annual Holocaust Remembrance Days at the UN in New York and at the marbled halls of the Consulate General of Greece in New York, to make his annual remarks about the human struggle to remember a religious minority that was tormented in a death camp in Poland called Auschwitz and to mark its liberation close to seventy years ago. Meanwhile, another religious minority, not seventy years ago, but today, the Greek Cypriots of occupied Cyprus this past Christmas had Christmas liturgy denied to them, when the brutal tormentors who have raped, massacred and diminished a population in a slow motion Holocaust in Karpasia shut down their few remaining churches on Christmas day. These people have seen their cemeteries desecrated, their churches turned into houses of prostitution and their religious and cultural artifacts stolen by the tormentors and sold on the black markets to the highest bidders.

This week a glimmer of hope was raised for our people when world reknown celebrity Boy George returned a stolen icon and made press around the world by breaking the silence and condemning the Turkish occupation of Cyprus . This week Archbishop Dimitrios has a choice: to continue to remain silent about those who awarded the Turkish Minister and racist Bagis, and thus try to remain a silent neutral, or to be a good man and to help the tormented. We must continue this week to send protest letters to Archbishop Dimitrios to remind him to find it in his heart to remember Cyprus, for the sake of our people Archbishop Dimitrios "We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented."

This week is filled with irony whilst Boy George is returning the stolen icon and the Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus is honored by the Patriarch of Moscow and all Russians Kyrillos for his efforts with the Prize of the International Foundation for the unity of Orthodox Christian Nations, the Patriarchate and his Archons headed by Archbishop Demetrios honored racist Bagis who does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus and whose country is responsible for the desecration of our occupied churches and violations of religious freedom of our enclaved Greek Cypriots.

Below follows A Big Thank You to Boy George from distinguished Greek-Cypriot journalist and researcher Fanoulla Argyrou and related news links of interest. Please forward to all you media contacts.

--Nikolaos Taneris, Press officer, Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA)

A big thank you to Boy George

The news that popular singer Boy George has returned a looted icon he had in his possession after buying it in good faith from a shop in King’s Road in London almost 26 years ago, after being informed by the Church of Cyprus of its real origin and fate, is highly appreciated by the Greek nation. George’s decision to return the looted precious icon to the Church of Cyprus has once again brought to the front line news the barbaric Turkish crimes committed since and after the two bloody Turkish invasions of Cyprus in 1974.

A bulk of barbaric crimes, murders, rapes, bombardment and executions in cold blood also included the destruction and looting of hundreds of Christian churches and religious places in occupied Cyprus where in the process thousands of priceless icons and other religious artefacts have been systematically looted. And smuggled out of the island ruthlessly sold in the black market. They even tried to sell some of these in reputable Auction Houses.

Readers are referred to “The Guardian” report “The rape of northern Cyprus ”, of 6th May 1976 which published horrific details of the desecration, looting and vandalism of our occupied churches in the occupied by Turkey part of Cyprus . The article referred to an ITV (Independent Television) documentary of those days. It said “As UNESCO suppressed an expert report on Turkish treatment of the churches of northern Cyprus , a TV team slipped away from surveillance and brought back grim evidence of looting and desecration for ITV’s This Week Tonight, Thames TV correspondent John Fielding reports…”

Readers are also referred to Michalle A Vu’s report published in “The Christian Post”, 28 April 2008 titled “The last church standing in occupied Cyprus ”. The following are extracts: “… According to the Republic of Cyprus , in the span of three decades under Turkish control, more than 530 churches and monasteries have been pillaged, vandalized, or destroyed in the occupied areas. “ I cannot say that the destruction of churches is encouraged openly by the Turkish government. All I can say is that it is taking place in the area that is under direct control of the Turkish military, and I leave you to make your own conclusions from that “. (Statement by Andreas Kakouris ex Cyprus Ambassador to the United States to CHRISTIAN POST. See “Bloody Truth” pages 360-365 www.freedomjustice.com.cy and www.cyprusactionnetwork.org downloading of the whole book is absolutely free).

According to statistics of the Republic of Cyprus : “… About 133 churches, chapels and monasteries have been converted to military storage facilities, stables and night-clubs, a further number of 78 churches have been converted to mosques, Agia Anastasia church, in occupied Lapithos, was converted into a casino hotel, while Sourp Magar Armenian monastery, founded in the medieval period, was converted into a Cafeteria…” (Christian Post).

“This is not a Muslim-Christian issue… I don’t think the Cyprus problem has ever been a religious issue between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots… If the Turkish government hadn’t given the ‘green light’ on the destruction of churches and artefacts, they have not given the ‘red light’ either…So it is, either directly taking place or with their blind eye or whatever you want to call it. But they are responsible for what is taking place there”. (Andreas Kakouris to Christian Post. See “Bloody Truth” pages 360 – 365).

Looting and Smuggling

“Michael Van Rijn, the self-confessed art smuggler who worked undercover for Scotland Yard, has never been shy about his dubious activities in the art world. His claims about the millions he made through his links with the Yard are typical of his passion for causing embarrassment… Michael Van Rijn plans to use his website to reveal years of undercover operations for Scotland Yard and others. He wants his disclosures to embarrass the British Museum , Sotheyby’s, Christies and other leading art dealers as well as the security services.… A dentist’s son from Amsterdam , who owns several houses around the world, admits smuggling icons out of Russia , Cyprus , Greece and elsewhere. “ I have made millions…”, wrote “The Times” of London on 29 January 1990.

Michael van Rijn, a self confessed art smuggler indeed… has also been a very close associate of A. Dikmen, the Turkish smuggler, who stole the famous Kanakaria frescoes from occupied Lithrangomi in Cyprus . In his autobiography Michael van Rijn describes vividly how large amounts of antiquities from occupied Cyprus were loaded on vehicles of the Finnish UN contingent in Cyprus and transferred to the free part of the Republic of Cyprus from where they were, in the process smuggled out of the island (After a long and hard legal battle led by the Church of Cyprus (court case took place in America) the latter won the return of the Kanakaria frescoes to Cyprus…”. (All these have been covered in detail in my book (but unfortunately exhausted only to be found in libraries) “Conspiracy or Blunder?” issued in Nicosia 2000 published by Refugee Association “Adouloti Kyrenia”).

“ … Haven’t you heard that the 2000 year old Christchurch in Cyprus , St. Barnabas Church, has been robbed? Haven’t you heard that 35 icons were stolen, 11 of them were found in Kythrea, that 11 were retrieved in Ankara airport while being smuggled out and that the rest are lost? Haven’t you heard what’s happening in Varosia ( Famagusta )? Haven’t you heard that figurines belonging to the Catholic period and kept in the Archaelogical Museum have been stolen and smuggled to London ?

What about the icons in the other churches: the mosaics, the private collections the illegal digs? Haven’t you heard of these? Why have they stopped the digs started before 1974 at the city of Gastria , which belongs to the geometric age? Do you know what has happened since then? The “government” (refers to the occupied regime) has issued permits to certain businessmen from Turkey to set up a gypsum factory there. The tombs were destroyed and plundered”. (‘Perishing Cyprus in the Turkish Cypriot Review’ by Mehmet Yasin. ‘ Olay’ April 1982 – from Public and Information Office publication “They make a desert and they call it peace”). (Quoted in my book “Conspiracy or Blunder?” pages 93 – 96).

A big thank you to Boy George who through his commendable decision to return the stolen icon to the Church of Cyprus (obviously not able to return it to the actual Church of origin due to the continued Turkish invasion and occupation of that part of our homeland) has offered immense service to our cause in promoting to the eyes of the world the ongoing Turkish religious crimes committed in Cyprus since 1974…

God Bless you George.

Fanoulla Argyrou
Researcher/Journalist
London
23.1.2010

http://www.thelondondailynews.com/exclusive-george-handing-over-christ-icon-highgate-church-p-5014.html?osCsid=3hrdit5mqle20f4kbmlphatp13

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12228059

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1348955/Boy-George-returns-stolen-picture-Christ-Cyprus.html

http://www.sigmalive.com/simerini/news/local/347872

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Related News Links of interest:

Archbishop of Cyprus meets with Dmitry Medvedev in Russia

http://news.pseka.net/index.php?module=article&id=11645

See also:

- “We were butchered by the same barbarian”
http://ditord.com/2011/01/19/president_sargsyan_greece_cyprus/

- Sarkisian Slams Turkey During Cyprus , Greece Visits
http://asbarez.com/91863/sarkisian-slams-turkey-during-cyprus-greece-visits/

- Karolos Papoulias: both Armenians and Greeks suffered at the hands of Turkey
http://sports.phantis.com/news/karolos-papoulias-both-armenians-and-greeks-suffered-hands-turkey

Of related interest:

- The Greek Genocide 1914-1923
http://www.greek-genocide.org/index1.html & http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_genocide

- Le Genocide Grec 1914-1923
http://armeniantrends.blogspot.com/2010/06/genocide-grec-1914-23-temoignage-1-21.html

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Download «Από την Ένωση στην Κατοχή» by distinguished Greek-Cypriot journalist and researcher Mrs. Fanoulla Argyrou. This book is the comprehensive record from the British Archives on how they destroyed Cyprus: http://cyprusactionnetwork.org/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/Apo_ten_Enosis_ten_Katochi.348153720.pdf
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ΑΙΜΑΤΗΡΗ ΑΛΗΘΕΙΑ - BLOODY TRUTH (Download the Greek and English PDF book) Learn the Truth about the Turkish terrorist organizations Volgan and TMT and the Turkish-British racist Bizonal Bicommunal Federation plan. Volunteer for our information tables to distribute the book.
http://cyprusactionnetwork.org/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/BLOODY_TRUTH__The_Book.266130049.pdf
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Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA)
2578 Broadway #132
New York, NY 10025
New York: Tel. 917-699-9935 9935 Email: cana@cyprusactionnetwork.org
www.cyprusactionnetwork.org

Protest award to racist Turk Minister Egemen Bagis

2011-01-07T01:33:00.000+02:00

ACTION ALERT PROTEST AWARD TO RACIST TURK MINISTER BAGIS

For Immediate Release: January 5, 2011
by Cyprus Action Network of America: http://cyprusactionnetwork.org/action_alert_protest_award_to_racist_turk_minister_bagis

CURRENT STATUS: The current, Minister for European Union Affairs and Chief Negotiator of the Republic of Turkey , the racist Mr. Egemen Bagis was awarded by the “Order of Saint Andrew, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate” this Greek-American group representing the Ecumenical Patriarchate awarded the Turkish official “commending him for his efforts on behalf of religious minorities in Turkey .” http://www.archons.org/news/detail.asp?id=433

The award was bestowed on the representative of criminal Turkey in Brussels on November 16-17, 2010 days before the EU assessment on Turkey’s human rights record and was attended by Archbishop Dimitrios of America and Greek-Cypriot immigrant Panicos “Peter” Papanicolaou the “Supreme President” of the Cyprus Federation of America. Mr. Papanicolaou walked out of the room in protest during the honoring.

The Greek-American organized conference in Brussels the capital of the EU was titled, ironically “RELIGIOUS FREEDOM: TURKEY ’S BRIDGE TO THE EUROPEAN UNION: INTERNATIONAL ARCHON RELIGIOUS FREEDOM CONFERENCE”

http://www.archons.org/conference/

For Greeks to bestow an award commending Mr. Egemen Bagis for “religious freedom” is to make a mockery of all that religious freedom and human rights stand for, it's akin to Jews awarding a Nazi Minister “commending him for his efforts on behalf of religious minorities in Hitler’s Germany .”

Mr. Egeman Bagis, 39, is one of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's closest advisors. Since 2009, he has served as Turkey 's Minister for European Union Affairs and is the country's chief negotiator in EU accession talks. Bagis refuses to recognise the Republic of Cyprus . In a very recent statement (www.eleftheria.co.uk 6.1.2011) provocatively said the government of Cyprus “does not constitute a state” and that Turkey says to the world that the Greek Cypriots “ cannot constitute a state, not even a race”!. Bagis repeatedly and in detail publicly denied Turkey ’s responsibility for the Armenian Genocide, in a recent interview to Spiegel in Germany he made reference to the possibility of throwing Americans off of Incirlik airbase in Turkey in retaliation for any possible recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the US Congress. When the parliament of Sweden in March 2010 recognized that Armenians, Assyrians,Syrians, Chaldeans and Pontic Greeks - had suffered genocide, Bagis with bravado expressed “disappointment” and threatened Sweden with economic and diplomatic retaliation for basically recognizing also the truth of the genocide of Pontic Greeks by criminal Turkey. Bagis was quoted in the Turkish Press in calling for efforts in Sweden against the recognition of the resolution that recognized the genocide of Pontic Greeks, the Turkish Cumhuriyet cited Bagis, the Turkish diplomat reminded what happened in Swedish parliament: “Shame on us what happened in Swedish Parliament. Our brothers for whom Turks cast ballots passed the resolution which smeared us. It’s unacceptable.”

During Christmas liturgy in occupied Cyprus Turkish occupation forces desecrated Greek Cypriot churches by attacking Priests during Christmas liturgy and forcing Greek-Cypriot worshipers out of their churches ultimately padlocking shut the church on Christmas Day. These barbaric crimes against religious freedom by Turkey in occupied Cyprus have been answered by official letters of protest and condemnation by the Cyprus Government, the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs,the Archbishop of Cyprus, by European politicians and numerous other organisations worldwide but also by none other than the “Archons” the same group that awarded the Turk Bagis in a press release on their site titled “Order of St. Andrew Condemns Religious Freedom Violations in the northern Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus” (1-4-2011) http://www.archons.org/news/detail.asp?id=456

Protests to Turkey’s crimes against religious freedom on Christmas Day in occupied Cyprus also came from The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), in its report titled “Cyprus: USCIRF Faults Turkish Cypriot Authorities for Closing Church on Christmas” (1-3-2011)

http://www.uscirf.gov/news-room/press-releases/3489--cyprus-uscirf-concerned-about-denial-of-christmas-service.html

In the wake of these Turkish Crimes against Religious Freedom , Mr. Bagis in recent days has made racist statements to the Turkish Press, openly denying the existence of the Greek-Cypriot nation, as well as calling for the EU to “punish” Greek-Cypriots following the next round of negotiations if the “spoiled Greek-Cypriots “ again say no to Turkish demands. These remarks together with his history of Genocide denial shows that Mr. Bagis is an anti-Greek-Cypriot racist emboldened by Turkey’s cycle of impunity for its past crimes of Genocide and its ongoing HOLOCAUST of the Greek-Cypriots that began on July 20, 1974.

The story of how the Archons bestowed an award for religious freedom to the racist Turkish Minister Bagis would have basically gone by unnoticed, except by the Turkish press, had it not been for a report in the Greek language daily Ethnikos Kirix, A FULL MONTH AFTER THE AWARD, the story came out on Ethnikos Kirix on December 23^rd, two days before Christmas Day, and was followed up with stories in the Greek-Cypriot dailies Simierini and Phileleftheros. Widely quoted in this late story is the protest of Mr. Philip Christopher President of PSEKA and Panicos “Peter” Papanicolaou the Supreme President of Cyprus Federation of America. Had it not been for the Ethnikos Kirix and the follow up press in Cyprus , this story would have remained in the ghetto of Astoria and the four walls of Cyprus , reported during Christmas week when most news items are quickly not spotlighted. This week distinguished Greek-Cypriot author and researcher Fanoulla Argyrou discussed this story on major Greek-Cypriot media, and wrote about it in London community newspapers TA NEA and Eleftheria, the story was also posted on the popular human rights website Agora-dialogue.

We still do not know why it took the officials over a month to report this case through Ethnikos Kirix and why a strong and public protest was not delivered there and then in Brussels together with the walk out of the room. But we agree with Philip Christopher’s demand as quoted in Ethnikos Kirix:

The President of the International Coordinating Committee for Justice for Cyprus Mr. Philip Christopher in a statement to the “National Herald” (23 December 2010) said: “We ask of Archbishop Dimitrios and the board of the Archons of the EP to tell us who and with what criteria come up with Awarding Minister of Turkey , Egmen Bagis”. Mr. Christopher also expressed his strong disapproval to this decision.

Thus far there is no explanation for who made the decision, but sources have informed us that a “a wealthy powerful man who can move waves in America ” made the decision…..

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Call, write, email the Archbishop Dimitrios of America and the Archons the following statement “We ask of Archbishop Dimitrios and the board of theArchons of the EP to tell us who and with what criteria come up with Awarding Minister of Turkey , Egemen Bagis”.

Please take the time to personalize your letter, and as always please be polite and courteous.

CONTACT INFO FOR ARCHBISHOP DIMITRIOS:

8 East 79th Street, New York , NY 10075-0106• Telephone: (212) 570-3500 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (212) 570-3500 end_of_the_skype_highlighting (212) 570-3500 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (212) 570-3500 end_of_the_skype_highlighting • Fax: (212) 570-3569

• e-mail: archdiocese@goarch.org

CONTACT INFO FOR ARCHONS:

The Order of Saint Andrew
Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate

8 East 79th Street
New York, NY 10075
Phone: 212 570 3550 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 212 570 3550 end_of_the_skype_highlighting Fax: 212 774 0214
Email: archons@goarch.org

RELATED ARTICLES:

ETHNIKOS KIRIX December 23, 2010 Λάθος των Αρχόντων η βράβευση Τούρκου Του Δημήτρη Τσάκα ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ. (pgs 1 and 7) Click on PDF

http://agora-dialogue.com/?p=16363

Ποίοι ευθύνονται για την βράβευση του Ε. Μπαγίς;

Agora on January 3, 2011 — Leave a Comment

Να ονομαστούν οι υπεύθυνοι
Στις 18 Νοεμβρίου 2010 με πρωτοβουλία κάποιων (ή κάποιου) επιτήδειων στις ΗΠΑ βραβεύθηκε στις Βρυξέλλες, ειρωνικά σε συνέδριο για «θρησκευτικές ελευθερίες», ο Τούρκος υπουργός Επικρατείας Εγκεμέν Μπαγίς. Δύο στελέχη της Ελληνοαμερικανικής κοινότητας ο πρόεδρος της ΠΣΕΚΑ κ.Φίλιπ Κρίστοφερ και ο κ. Π. Παπανικολάου της Ομοσπονδίας Κυπρίων Αμερικής διαχώριζαν την θέση τους κάνοντας γνωστή την διαφωνία τους με την απόφαση αυτή και ζητούν δημόσια εξηγήσεις από τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο Αμερικής Δημήτριο και το διοικητή του Τάγματος των Αρχόντων του Οικουμενικού Πατριαρχείου να δώσουν εξηγήσεις με ποια κριτήρια βραβεύτηκε ο Τούρκος υπουργός Ε. Μπαγίς (Ο κ. Παπανικολάου αποχώρησε από το συνέδριο εις ένδειξη διαμαρτυρίας).(Εθνικός Κήρυκας 23/12/2010, Φιλελεύθερος 29/12/2010, Σημερινή, 28/12/2010 και http://www.greeknewsonline.com/?p=14074).
Πιο συγκεκριμένα, όμως, και σύμφωνα με τις ειδήσεις και τις αναφορές στις ηλεκτρονικές διευθύνσεις των «Αρχόντων» (βλέπε συνδέσμους πιο κάτω) το συνέδριο στις Βρυξέλλες που είχε τον χαρακτηριστικό τίτλο « Διεθνής συνέδριο Αρχόντων με κύριο θέμα « Θρησκευτικές Ελευθερίας: Η γέφυρα της Τουρκίας στην Ευρωπαική Ένωση» διοργανώθηκε από τους Άρχοντες του Τάγματος του Απ. Ανδρέα, του Οικουμενικού Πατριαρχείου στην Αμερική και Ευρώπη οι οποίοι και βράβευσαν τον Ε. Μπαγίς. Επομένως η διοργάνωσή του στην καρδιά του Ευρωπαικού Κοινοβουλίου ειδικά τις μέρες εκείνες (16-17 Νοεμβρίου 2010), έχοντας υπόψη και τον αριθμό Τούρκων αξιωματούχων που παρευρέθηκαν, αποκλειστικό στόχο είχε την εξυπηρέτηση τουρκικών στόχων. Σε σχέση με την ενταξιακή της Τουρκίας υπό την κάλυψη του τάχατες «διεθνούς συνεδρίου…» εις βάρος των εθνικών Ελληνικών συμφερόντων και κυρίως της μαρτυρικής Κύπρου.
Θέλουμε να πιστεύουμε ότι ο ίδιος ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής δεν είχε χέρι στην σκευωρία αυτή εναντίον του Ελληνισμού της Κύπρου. Συμφωνούμε πλήρως με την στάση των Ελληνοκυπρίων παραγόντων και συμμεριζόμαστε την αγανάκτηση τους ενόσω 550 Ελληνο-ορθόδοξες εκκλησίες μας στα κατεχόμενα εδάφη της Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας έχουν λεηλατηθεί, καταστραφεί, συληθεί και μετατραπεί ειδωλολατρικά σε σταύλους, αποχωρητήρια, κέντρα αναψυχής και αποθήκες από τους Τούρκους κατακτητές και άλλους στα κατεχόμενα και η μισή Κύπρος βρίσκεται για 36 χρόνια υπό τουρκική βάρβαρη εισβολή και κατοχή από την κατοχική Τουρκία του Ε. Μπαγίς. Με 200,000 Ελληνοκύπριους πρόσφυγες να περιμένουν καρτερικά να επιστρέψουν στις κλεμμένες από τους Τούρκους περιουσίες τους.
Το γεγονός ότι η βράβευση του Μπαγίς δεν συμπεριλήφθηκε στο επίσημο πρόγραμμα, αποκαλύπτει και το ύποπτο της όλης σκευωρίας προς όφελος της Τουρκίας, μάλιστα τις μέρες που θα εκδιδόταν και το πόρισμα της Επιτροπής Προόδου για τις ενταξιακές της Τουρκίας.
Πριν ο αλέκτωρ λαλήσει τρίς, ο βραβευθείς Ε. Μπαγίς με θράσος που μόνο οι Τούρκοι διαθέτουν δήλωσε προκλητικά ότι η κυπριακή Δημοκρατία « δεν αποτελεί κράτος» και ότι η Τουρκία διακηρύττει παντού ότι οι Ε/κ «δεν μπορούν να αποτελέσουν κράτος, ούτε καν φυλή». (Σημερινή 28/12/2010).
Τι αντιπροσωπεύει ο Ε. Μπαγίς; Το απάνθρωπο εκείνο καθεστώς που ανήμερα των Χριστουγέννων, της μεγαλύτερης γιορτής της Χριστιανοσύνης, καταδέχθηκε να πατήσει το πόδι του στην Εκκλησία στο κατεχόμενο Ριζοκάρπασο και την Αγία Τριάδα όπου ζουν οι λιγοστοί (500 περίπου) ΄Ελληνες ήρωες εγκλωβισμένοι και να τους πετάξει έξω από την Εκκλησία διακόπτοντας την Θεία Λειτουργία. Και το χειρότερο διέταξαν τους ιερείς να ξεντυθούν αμέσως και τους πέταξαν έξω. Καταδεικνύοντας την αδυναμία των Τούρκων να σεβαστούν τις στοιχειώδεις θρησκευτικές ελευθερίες των Χριστιανών μάλιστα εγκλωβισμένων Ελλήνων. Μια άκρως καταδικαστέα επαχθής πράξη καταπάτησης στοιχειώδους ανθρώπινου δικαιώματος, ιεροσυλίας, όπως είναι η άσκηση των θρησκευτικών καθηκόντων που καθιστά την κατοχική Τουρκία ακόμα περισσότερο ανίκανη να γίνει μέλος της Ευρωπαικής Ένωσης. Και αυτόν τον άνθρωπο, που αντιπροσωπεύει αυτό το καθεστώς, κάποιοι στις ΗΠΑ, κάποιοι επιτήδειοι (ή κάποιος) που διοικούν το λεγόμενο Τάγμα Αρχόντων του Οικουμενικού Πατριαρχείου στις ΗΠΑ, διευθέτησαν όπως βραβευθεί σε συνέδριο για «θρησκευτικές ελευθερίες»! Ο «Αττίλας» της Κύπρου! Και ακόμα μια ερώτηση: Εφόσον το «διεθνές» τους συνέδριο ήταν για τις μειονότητες στην Τουρκία και πόσο τις σέβεται η κατοχική Τουρκία γιατί δεν κάλεσαν και αντιπροσωπεία των λιγοστών μας Ελλήνων ηρωικών εγκλωβισμένων να μιλήσουν για το πως τους «σέβονται» οι κατοχικές δυνάμεις στην Κύπρο; Εφόσον και το διεθνές ευρωπαικό δικαστήριο σε πόρισμά του έχει χαρακτηρίσει την κατεχόμενη περιοχή της Κύπρου ως εξαρτώμενη από την κατοχική Τουρκία;
Αναμένουμε να ονομαστούν και να ντροπιαστούν οι υπεύθυνοι της αποτρόπαιας αυτής πράξης. Θα γίνει όμως;
http://www.archons.org/news/detail.asp?id=431
http://www.archons.org/photos/index.php?setID=72157625309325179
http://www.archons.org/photos/index.php?setID=72157625278062377
http://www.archons.org/conference/
Φανούλα Αργυρού
Ερευνήτρια/συγγραφέας
Λονδίνο 29.12.2010
( Συμπληρωματικές πληροφορίες:
ΒΡΥΞΕΛΛΕΣ – Το Τάγμα του Αποστόλου Ανδρέα και το Τάγμα των Οφφικιάλων Αρχόντων «Παμμακάριστος», Άρχοντες του Οικουμενικού Πατριαρχείου στις Η.Π.Α. και Ευρώπη αντίστοιχα, αναγνώρισαν με αναμνηστική πλάκα τον Εγκεμέν Μπαγκίς, υπουργό Ευρωπαϊκών Υποθέσεων και κύριο διαπραγματευτή της Τουρκίας με την Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση για τις προσπάθειες του υπέρ των θρησκευτικών μειονοτήτων στην Τουρκία. Η παρουσίαση έγινε την Τρίτη 16 Νοεμβρίου στο Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο κατά τη διάρκεια της πρώτης Διεθνούς Διάσκεψης των Αρχόντων για τις Θρησκευτικές Ελευθερίες.
Archon news

International Archon Conference to focus on, “Religious Freedom: Turkey’s Bridge to the European Union”

New York, NY
11/12/2010
The Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in America, will hold an International Religious Freedom Conference entitled “Religious Freedom: Turkey’s Bridge to the European Union,” on November 16-17, 2010 at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium.
The two-day conference will bring together scholars, religious freedom and human rights advocates, journalists, diplomats, parliamentarians, religious leaders, representatives of the Government of Turkey, lawyers and members of minority communities that will focus on religious freedom. Speakers will analyze issues of religious freedom confronting the religious minorities in Turkey and propose answers.
“Religious freedom constitutes a most valuable gift from God, since it affects directly and substantively our relationship with Him. It is the open way of communication with our Creator. Therefore, a conference dedicated to religious freedom becomes a bridge between humanity and God and by extension a bridge connecting people, nations, cultures and religions,” said His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, talking about the upcoming conference.
The conference is sponsored by the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in America and the Pammakaristos Brotherhood of Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Europe, in cooperation with the Patriarchal Liaison Office of the Orthodox Church to the European Union.
Archbishop Demetrios will offer an introductory address at the opening dinner at the Conrad Brussels Hotel, the evening of Monday Nov. 15. The Conference will be held in the European Parliament and will begin Tuesday, November 16. Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, National Commander of the Order of St. Andrew will welcome the participants along with Rodi Kratsa Tsagaropoulou, vice-president of the European Parliament. Metropolitan Emmanuel of France, director of the Liaison Office of the Orthodox Church to the European Union will read the Patriarchal Exhortation, and Archbishop Demetrios will follow him with the keynote address.
Additionally, the list of the distinguished speakers includes: Egemen Bagis, Republic of Turkey, Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator — Mustafa Akyol, Journalist and Political Commentator — Archbishop Aram Ateshian, Armenian Church, Archbishop of the Armenians in Turkey — Dogan Bermek, President, AVF Federation of Alevi Foundation — Orhan Kemal Cengiz, Lawyer, Human Rights Defender, and News Paper Columnist — Cole Durham, BYU Law School, Susan Young Gates University Professor of Law and Director, International Center for Law and Religious Studies, J. Reuben Clark Law School — Steven Ealy, Senior Fellow, Liberty Fund — Andrew Ekonomou, Senior Counsel to the American Center for Law and Justice, Washington, D.C. and to the European Center for Law and Justice, Strasbourg, France — Huseyin Hatemi, Professor, Istanbul University School of Law and Maltepe University — Kezban Hatemi, Attorney — Dilek Kurban, Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation, Program Officer Democratization Program, Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation — Anthony J. Limberakis, National Commander, Order of St. Andrew, Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate — Johny Messo, Syriac Universal Alliance, President — Claudio Monge, DoSt-I (Dominican Study- Institute) — Muna B. Ndulo, Professor of Law, Cornell Law School, Director of Cornell’s Institute for African Development, Human Rights Advocate and Humanitarian — Otmar Oehring, Director, Human Rights Office, Missio Society — Emre Oktem, Professor, Galatasaray University — Pieter Omtzigt, Member of the Parliamentary Assembly, Council of Europe — Jaime Mayor Oreja, Member of the European Parliament, Spain — Elizabeth Prodromou, Vice Chair, United States Commission on International Religious Freedom — Patrick Gregor Puppinck, Director, European Center of Law of Justice — George C. Rockas, Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate — Bican Sahin, Assistant Professor, Hacettepe University, and President of Association of Liberal Thinking — Odysseus F. Sassayiannis, Administrateur, EFG Bank (Monaco) — Rabbi Arthur Schneier, President, Appeal of Conscience Foundation — James J. Silk, Lawyer, Human Rights Defender — Renate Sommer, Member of the European Parliament, Germany — Konrad Szymanski, Member of the European Parliament, Poland — Metin Tarhan, Chairman, Alevi Association — Rodi Kratsa Tsagaropoulou, Vice President of the European Parliament — Riza Turmen, Former Judge, European Court of Human Rights — Lakis Vingas, Representative of the Minority Foundations at the General Directorate of Foundations Assembly — Angela Wu Howard, Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, International Law Director, Washington, D.C. and — Mine Yildirim, Researcher at the Institute for Human Rights at Abo Akademi University.
For more information, visit archons.org/conference )

Alexander Downer exposed: a report from Cyprus Indymedia

2011-01-01T19:55:00.000+02:00

Below is an article produced by a member of the Cyprus Indymedia collective specifically for publishing on the Australian Indymedia site on the destructive role that former Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer is playing in Cyprus in his current role with the UN.

Alexander Downer on the Global Scene
Radical and Mainstream Press: a Convergence?

Source: Indymedia.org.au (06/11/2010)

Cyprus is under military occupation being subjected to ethnic cleansing, genocide and illegal settlement and is now in grave danger of being plunged by the Imperialist powers into another round of mayhem, war and murder.

The "final solution" that our island is being threatened with, is the setting up of a new Apartheid State (just like South Africa and Israel) comprised of two ethnically identified zones replete with a Bizonal Race Law that will be the highest law of the land determining every feature of the entire structure of the new republic: from the Race Law that will govern the Constitution all the way to property rights, electoral quotas and education, civic administration, commerce, etc. All these are to be determined by the new Race Law. Alexander Downer is at the head of the Bizonal Race Law choir in recent years, using overt and covert manipulations to actualize the above Imperialist agenda.

Our population is recently becoming more aware of his personal role in all this, and pressuring the politicians to do something about it. Giant scandals have errupted on the island and on the regional/global diplomatic scene with Downer in the epicenter: leaked documents; back-room deals; sleight of hand; political extortion and political favouritism... all of these methods that are routinely used by organized crime seem to be on agenda now.

Daily newspapers on the island are full of stories detailing Alexander Downer's role in fixing our country on the path of destruction through his special powers as a United Nations representative here. The Parliament has even been pressured by popular anger into opening an investigation of whether Downer has been violating the codes of professional ethics and protocols that are supposed to be observed by diplomats such as him.
The article by a mainstream newspaper below, and the links following it, give a flavour of the turmoil that has errupted in Cyprus with Al Downer in the center of the scene.

Cyprus IndyMedia has been on the forefront of these popular mobilizations against Downer, having helped to spread and popularize the "Persona Non Grata" slogan. Our most recent publication, here,
"Alexander Downer ~ Αλεξάντερ Ντάουνερ"
http://cyprusindymedia.blogspot.com/2010/10/alexander-downer.html
is simply a creative extension of that campaign. Very few words, indeed, but they convey the bitter sentiments of a betrayed and slaughtered people well enough.

As a group of activist journalists and editors, the Cyprus IndyMedia Collective has been on the forefront of the struggle to unveil the fact that the local United Nations mission in Cyprus is fully entangled with the Foreign Policy arms of the UK/US alliance, and operates as an extension of the United States' CIA, Pentagon and State Department. We were targeted by these forces in the year 2004 when we revealed more of their connections, resulting in another major scandal here in Cyprus:

"Government Admits Investigation Against Indymedia and Petros Evdokas Initiated by US Intelligence"
http://www.indymedia.org/en/2004/07/111547.shtml

This was the original article that triggered the illegal actions against us:
"Spies, Murderers, and Creeps
- Management of the 'free dialogue' on the Annan plan"
http://cyprusindymedia.org/spies-murderers-and-creeps.html

Some more on that case:
Update on our Political/ Legal situations
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kalimerhaba_HellenoTurkish_Community/messa...

Our people are awakening again, and forcing all the political parties to deal with a new reality: self-organized patriots, socialists, anarchists, feminist greens, independent communists and autonomists are re-mobilizing the population to resist the Bizonal Race Law regime that the Imperialists are trying to enforce on our tiny country.

Alexander Downer shall pass, just as the offending air from a bad fart passes on, eventually, no matter how foul. But two forces will remain. What remains is the willingness of our local ruling class and its politicians to do anything to serve global Imperialism. Also what remains is the will of the self-organized people to oppose them, and to struggle for new and old definitions of equality, freedom and liberty.

These two forces will remain, and will fight it out, eventually, on all fronts, and by all means necessary.

"And don't speak too soon
For the wheel's still in spin
And there's no tellin' who
That it's namin'.
For the loser now
Will be later to win
For the times they are a-changin'." - Bob Dylan

Petros Evdokas, petros@cyprus-org.net
Volunteer, founding member,
Cyprus IndyMedia Collective
http://petros-evdokas.cyprus-org.net/Another-sort-of-Introduction.html

~~~~~~~~~~

AKEL: Downer grilling akin to ‘public tribunal’
By Stefanos Evripidou Published on October 21, 2010

PARLIAMENT IS set to scrutinise the role of UN Special Adviser Alexander Downer and his team today in what AKEL boss Andros Kyprianou has labelled a “public tribunal” that will harm the national interest.
The motion to discuss the leaked UN documents referred to in the recently published book “Simademeni Trapoula (Marked Cards)” was tabled by DIKO, EVROKO and EDEK deputies Andreas Angelides, Rikkos Erotokritou and Marinos Sizopoulos respectively.

The documents are believed to contain the private email correspondence of the UN negotiating team with property experts and others, written during the period when President Demetris Christofias and former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat were discussing the property chapter.

While the UN has not publicly commented on its internal investigation into the documents, in private, officials have let it be known they consider the documents stolen property.

Ruling party leader Kyprianou warned on Tuesday that any effort to create friction with the UN during a critical phase of the negotiations would be “harmful to the national interest”.

If complaints exist about the role of UN representatives, these should be discussed through diplomatic channels and not by setting up “public tribunals” in parliament, he said.

Chairman of the House Institutions Committee, Erotokritou, yesterday hit back, saying that Kyprianou’s statement was an “insult to the legislature, an attempt to gag parliament and undermine democratic institutions”.

“The purpose of the meeting is to safeguard the institutions of the President of the Republic, state officials, politicians, journalists and even top priests from the improper characterisations and improper actions of Mr Downer and his team as revealed in the so-called Downer documents, which have not been denied,” he said.
Erotokritou suggested that the AKEL leader had confused his history, adding, “Whatever his beliefs and wishful thinking, the Cyprus Republic is a fully functioning state where the separation of powers is clear”.
He also indicated that Kyprianou was “protecting and covering for Mr Downer”, describing this as an “irresponsible political act to cover the actions of Downer instead of protecting the institutions and people from neo-colonial mentalities”.

Angelides accused Kyprianou acting in a way that was “irresponsible and detrimental to the Cyprus cause”, hinting that he did not respect the wishes of the majority.

Kyprianou responded yesterday saying that his positions were known and “anyone can judge whether or not they are improper”.

He added: “Right now, our priority should be how to handle the issues in the best possible way for Cyprus.”
According to Erotocritou, all parties bar AKEL are in favour of having the discussion today, meaning that if deputies from the ruling party propose a postponement, they will be outnumbered by eight to three. The EVROKO deputy confirmed that House President Marios Garoyian has also asked for a postponement. If deputies from his party DIKO follow suit, this takes the vote to six to five.

The three authors of the book in question, Achilleas Aimilianides, Michalis Kontos and Giorgios Kentas have been invited to the committee to discuss the UN documents

From:
http://www.cyprus-mail.com/un/akel-downer-grilling-akin-public-tribunal/...

~~~~~~~~~~

Further Links about the current situation:
‘Downer inquisition’ to go ahead
http://www.cyprus-mail.com/alexander-downer/downer-inquisition-go-ahead/...
Al. Downer: "...as I have explained, contrary to conspiracy theories which suggest that the UN has a secret plan to impose a solution on Cyprus..."
http://www.cyprus-mail.com/un/downer-un-only-sounding-board/20101014
More:
http://www.cyprus-mail.com/taxonomy/term/19798/all

Sign the petition: War crimes committed by Turkey against the people of Cyprus in 1974 and ever since

2010-12-24T23:36:00.001+02:00

To: The National Parliaments of countries Members of the United Nations, and the U.S. Congress.

We the undersigned, hereby Petition THE NATIONAL PARLIAMENTS OF ALL COUNTRIES MEMBERS OF THE UNITED NATIONS to condemn Turkey for the crimes of war it committed in Cyprus following a military invasion and occupation in 1974. The serial war crimes Turkey is accountable for, are:

- Ethnic cleansing of all Greek Cypriots from the occupied areas of Cyprus. 200000 people in 1974 were brutally expelled from their homes and property.
- Torture, rape, murder, ill treatment, humiliation, disappearance, of innocent civilians and prisoners of war, premeditated and on a vast scale.
- Influx of Turkish settlers, following the Ethnic cleansing of all the Greeks, who were settled on the properties of the Greek Cypriots.

RELEVANT FACTS:

In 1974 Turkey invaded Cyprus, an independent, sovereign country, Member of the United Nations, on false pretenses and occupied 37% of its territory.

6500 people were killed during the invasion.

1600 people went missing.

200000 people, 33% of the population, were ethnically cleansed from the occupied areas. The dimension of the criminal human tragedy for Cyprus, a country with a population of half a million in 1974 can be seen from the following comparison with the population of other countries:
- Equivalent to 48 million Russians
- Equivalent to 100 million Americans
- Equivalent to 27 million Germans
- Equivalent to 20 million Britons
- Equivalent to 21 million French people

The Turkish war crimes against Turkey were verified, judged, and Turkey condemned by the European courts in the Cyprus Vs Turkey court actions 1, 2, 3, and 4.

LAW/CONVENTIONS/STATUTES VIOLATED:

- Geneva convention for prisoners of war.
- United Nations Charter
- European Aquis
- European Conventions on Human Rights.
- Universal Declaration for Human Rights.

THE UNDERSIGNED RESPECTFULLY REQUEST:

- The condemnation of Turkey as war criminal
- Turkey to be called to remove unconditionally all troops and the Turkish settlers from the occupied areas of Cyprus.

We appeal for the solidarity of the citizens of the World in order to restore faith in justice and the respect of Law and Order, being the cornerstone of World order and the guarantee for peace and stability around the World.

Sincerely,
The Undersigned

CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE PETITION: http://www.petitiononline.com/wcrime74/

Theresa Villiers condems call for partition of Cyprus

2010-12-16T20:54:00.000+02:00

Theresa Villiers MP Press Release Tel: 020 8449 7345 Fax: 0208 449 7346 email: theresa@theresavilliers.co.uk www.theresavilliers.co.uk
Ref : Date: 11^th November 2010

VILLIERS CONDEMNS CALL FOR PARTITION OF CYPRUS

MP for Chipping Barnet, Theresa Villiers, has condemned comments made by senior Labour MP and former Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, in The Times this week. Mr Straw called on the UK Government to consider a formal partition of Cyprus into two separate states. He also criticised former President of Cyprus, the late Tassos Papadopoulos for campaigning for a ‘no’ vote in the referendum on the Annan V proposals.

Theresa said, “Jack Straw’s comments go against a political consensus that has lasted for decades – namely that the island is Cyprus is one country in international law and that its people should be reunited. The Conservatives have made it very clear that we strongly oppose partition. We have always supported the efforts being made by Cypriots to find a just, lasting and peaceful settlement that sees Cyprus reunited with its people living together again in one country with a single international personality and single citizenship.”

“Mr Straw’s article fails to recognise the pain caused by the invasion and the continuing impact it has on thousands of Cypriots who lost homes and loved ones. His comments about the stance of the late Tassos Popadopoulos during the referendum show a fundamental misunderstanding on the key to the success of any settlement in Cyprus – that Cypriots should be free to make their own decisions on their future after a full and frank debate in a referendum.”

“Jack Straw is a very senior member of the Labour Party and held office for many years in the Governments of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. His latest statement shows that Labour cannot be trusted on Cyprus”, concludes Mrs Villiers.

ENDS. For further information please contact Claire Dowson on 0208 449 7345 or email theresa@theresavilliers.co.uk

Fanoulla Argyrou and Leonidas Leonidou reply to Jack Straw

2010-11-17T00:09:00.001+02:00

Mr Jack Straw, MP
House of Commons
London SW1A 00A
Dear Mr Straw

In your letter to The Times (8.11.2010) you presented no tangible arguments for your support of Turkey’s accession to the European Union.

The spirit of your letter and your subsequent radio threat of partition unless the Republic of Cyprus withdraws objections to Turkey’s EU accession amount to a gross blackmail reminiscent of colonial times practices.

In pursuing your strong pro-Turkish stance, during your time as Foreign secretary and currently as an MP, not only you undermine issues such as the military invasion and occupation of 40% of Cyprus, the ethnic cleansing and 36 years of violations of fundamental human rights and liberties by Turkey, but you also suggest a reward for the instigator of these injustices.

I hope you reflect on these points and reconsider your one-sided, biased and unjust viewpoint.

Yours sincerely,

Leonidas Leonidou
President of EKEKA
(Federation of Cypriot Refugees in the UK)
3 Elmwood Avenue
London N13 4HG
10.11.2010

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mr Jack Straw, MP

House of Commons

London SW1A 00A

Dear Mr. Straw, London 10.11.2010

Your article in The Times 8 November 2010

There are indeed no ifs and no buts in Turkey’s accession negotiation process.

Your despicable article is in contempt of Law and Justice as we know it in order to appease Turkey. From one hand you are actually calling upon the British Government to commit illegal acts in defiance and violation of United Nations resolutions (541 of 1983 and 550 of 1984) which is unthinkable especially coming from a Member of Parliament through a national newspaper, and from the other you are indeed “forgetting” that Cyprus is no longer a British colony to mess about as you please, your jurisdiction and free hand to cut and join has long gone since 1959…

Turkey’s accession negotiations are a totally separate issue. If Turkey wishes her application to proceed smoothly she has to abide with the rules of the game. Turkey has not fulfilled her obligations expected of her and the EU will not proceed with her entry negotiations unless she does fulfil in full those obligations. As simple as that. No ifs and no buts. Therefore it is not Cyprus’s fault, another member of the EU, if Turkey is stubbornly refusing to meet those demands one of which is the paramount need and obligation to recognise the Republic of Cyprus.

There are no two stories to the Cyprus situation as you wrongly claim. But only one and very clear one – Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974 and still is there occupying half of the Republic of Cyprus, an EU member, depriving 200,000 Greek Cypriot refugees from returning to their stolen land and properties and in violation and contempt of numerous UN and EU resolutions calling for her to withdraw her troops and 160,000 (or so) settlers she imported into the occupied area. No solution without restitution of our properties in the occupied.

Your article is full of prejudice against the Greek Cypriots and their plight for justice. It is a venomous outburst which has its roots back in 2004 when you were furious with the 76% NO of the Greek Cypriots who overwhelmingly and DEMOCRATICALLY rejected through the referendum imposed on them, the racist apartheid solution of the so called “Annan Plan”. Which was based on the Turkish demand of bizonal bicommunal federation. And you vowed at that meeting in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on the 26 of April 2004 to revenge the Greek Cypriots, late President Tassos Papadopoulos and the Republic of Cyprus for not bowing to your and to Turkish demands to commit suicide to please Turkish interests and ambitions.

Your article also appear with disrespect to two major London Court of Appeal decisions a) Apostolides v Orams and b) the very recent one (published The Times 9 November 2010) “Flight refusal justified” when Lord Justice Richards rejected the Turkish appeal for direct flights to the occupied area in Cyprus. Lord Justice Richards said that the granting of permits sought by the “Kibris Turk hava Yollari and Another” would constitute a breach of the United Kingdom’s obligation to respect the rights of the Republic of Cyprus and would be unlawful.

Finally no need to repeat the Cyprus Spokesman’s response that your pro-Turkish article will affect the very existence of the British military bases in Cyprus.

Yours faithfully,

Fanoulla Argyrou

Researcher/Journalist and refugee from occupied Nicosia

London.

c.c. Rt. Hon David Cameron MP, Prime Minister

c.c. Rt. Hon William Hague MP, Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary

Cyprus High Commission

Press

Reply to Financial Times for promoting Turkey's accession to the EU

2010-11-16T23:45:00.000+02:00

Dear Sir,

It seems that you (i.e. FT newspaper) have taken it upon yourselves to promote Turkey to EU membership. And in doing so, you find it necessary to dismember Cyprus permanently.

A couple of examples from your relevant articles:

David Lidington MP : "we are the strongest supporter of Turkey’s accession to the European Union and are proud to be a leading advocate for Turkey in the EU." Nov. 13 2010

In the same article he refers to his prime minister in Turkey who said:

“…to make the case for Turkey’s membership of the EU. And to fight for it”.

“And it is not just the UK cheerleading for Turkey – on November 9 the Italian and Turkish foreign ministers published an article in Italy’s La Repubblica in support of Turkey’s EU ambitions.” continues Lidington.

Editorial: “If the Turkish Cypriots asked for recognition of their state, it would be difficult for the UK to oblige, because London is bound by a 1960 treaty of guarantee not to promote partition. Other EU countries would also hesitate. But many states are impatient with the constant Greek Cypriot disruption of EU business on account of the Cyprus dispute. They believe Turkey’s rising geopolitical and economic importance makes it imperative to show Ankara that the EU will not be hostage to the Greek Cypriots for ever. Even Russia, a long-time friend of the Greek Cypriots, is signalling a possible change of course on account of its newly blossoming ties with Turkey.” November 12 2010

Editorial: “They should be making its case more forcibly. Pushing for the unblocking of more chapters would help. Ultimately, though, a way must be found to deal with the Cyprus problem, the chief obstacle. Admitting that country before it had resolved its dispute with Turkey was a grave error.” November 9 2010

The TURKEY 2010 PROGRESS REPORT of the European Commision is more than 100 pages long. It mentions a series of “progress” points made but with a very large number of qualifications on why Turkey is still not ready.

It contains about ten introductory sections the longest of which are

2.1. Democracy and the rule of law, 2.2. Human rights and the protection of minorities of about ten pages each. The rest are one or at most two pages long.

Just about one page is devoted on Cyprus within 2.3. Regional issues and international obligations.

Further, section 4. Ability to assume the obligations of membership consists of thirty-three chapters. Each of these is usually one or two pages long; occasionally three pages. Exceptions, however, form the following:

Chapter 19: Social policy and employment and Chapter 23: Judiciary and fundamental rights four and five pages respectively.

Various problems are mentioned quite frequently through the whole text, notably the Kurdish issue, the Armenian genocide, rights of children, human rights in general and of course the Cyprus issue. However, one would hardly conclude that this is the major problem Turkey faces vis-à-vis her ascension to the EU.

To what then do we Cypriots owe your venom against us?

Well, there is a revealing footnote on p. 5 of this report:

“The decision sets out that negotiations will not be opened on eight chapters relevant to Turkey's restrictions regarding the Republic of Cyprus and no chapter will be provisionally closed until the Commission confirms that Turkey has fully implemented the Additional Protocol to the Association Agreement.”

Cyprus, despite its tiny size is a member of the EU and can block Turkey’s ascension forever. And the mighty Alvion – mind you toothless by now – cannot stand that. She – toothless and almost demented – perceives her interests to lie with Turkey. And she sheds crocodilian tears about the “isolated Turkish Cypriots”. Well, you should recall that Turkey invaded in the name of the Turkish Cypriots but today they are a minority within the occupied areas. About half of them refused the benevolence of mother Turkey. Just about eighty thousand remain, plus about forty thousand troops plus at least two hundred thousand settlers from Turkey. What kind of isolation is it then? why would people choose to come and live in isolation? or do they not choose, maybe?

As far as the other reasons, correctly mentioned in thee report but grossly underemphasized, none of the “great powers” really care. There is no Kurdistan to block Turkey’s entrance into the EU and the little Armenian state is not a member. Amnesty International and othe human rights organizations can give advice, can shout, can issue reports but they have no veto right.

Of course you are interested in the emerging markets of Turkey, but …well, did you read Mr. Davutoglu’s book? In Turkish it is called “Stratejik Derinlik. Türkiye uluslarasasi konumu” and it means “Strategic Depth. Turkey’s international position”. If you know Turkish or Greek you can read it, otherwise make sure it is translated into English. It is enlightening about what your favorite Neo-Ottoman islamists. You may draw the same conclusion I did: Turkey is more likel to become another Iran rather than a shield against it.

Her arrogance is, of course, greatly enhanced by the likes of you (e.g. Jack Straw and any other Foreign Office former or present official).

Mr. Davutoglu approves what the Kemalist have done in Cyprus (pp 278 -280 of the Greek translation):

“Even if there was not even a single Muslim Turk there, Turkey ought to maintain a Cyprus Issue. N country can remain indifferent to such an island which is situated in the heart of her vital space.”

On p. 200 he informs us of what the plans are for the Balkans. You do not have to guess, he spells it out himself, the same as in Cyprus:

“The two short-term and middle-term targets of the foreign policy of Turkey in the Balkans are the strengthening of Bosnia and Albania into a framework of stability and the creation of an international legal framework which will set the national minorities under its protection. In this international legal framework Turkey must continually seek to safeguard guarantees that would give her the right of intervening in the matters pertaining to the Islamic minorities in the Balkans. The legitimacy of the intervention in Cyprus, which constitutes an impressive example in contemporary times, was made possible within such a kind of legal framework.” (By the latter “legal framework” he means the Zurich-London Agreements of 1959 that created the Republic of Cyprus

Many European countries are skeptical about Turkey and do hide behind little Cyprus, but that does not mean that your arguments are correct. On the contrary, any Turkish policy against Cyprus was originated in your Foreign Office.

As an epilogue I want to mention that if any country became by mistake an EU member, that is your country and not Cyprus (have a look expel the UK).

Yours sincerely,

F. Genas

Human Rights Defender of Armenia to speak at the European Parliament, hold high-level meetings with EU institutions

2010-11-14T11:16:00.000+02:00

Press Release

AGBU Europe
Email: fhakobyan@agbueurope.org
Website: http://agbueurope.org

Human Rights Defender of Armenia to speak at the European Parliament, hold high-level meetings with EU institutions

Armen Harutyunyan, the Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) of Armenia, will be in Brussels from November 15 to November 18, 2010, in order to meet with European Institutions. The visit is organized by AGBU Europe.

On the occasion of his visit, Mr Harutyunyan will address a special meeting of the European Parliament’s Delegation for Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. The meeting, which is open to observers, will be held on 15th November at 5:30pm to 6:30pm in the European Parliament.

Mr Harutyunyan will also speak at a round table of experts convened jointly by AGBU Europe and European Friends of Armenia on November 16 at 1pm and hold a debate with the Armenian community in Brussels in the evening of the 16th. These events will focus on the state of democracy and human rights in Armenia, particularly in the context of intensifying EU-Armenia relations, and on the role of the Human Rights Defender. A number of other meetings with EU Member of Parliament and officials have also been scheduled.

Armen Harutyunyan was elected first Human Rights Defender for 6 years in a vote of the National Assembly held on February 17, 2006 , as provided by article 83.1 of the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia. The mission of the Human Rights Defender is to investigate and formulate expert legal opinions on the actions of public authorities in Armenia and on the conformity of new legislation with the constitution and with human rights standards. His statements have provided a much-needed anchor for public debate on matters relating to democracy and the rule of law. The Ombudsman’s credibility and influence depend on his ability to remain loyal to his mandate and independent from political forces in Armenia.

The effective establishment institution of the Ombudsman in Armenia has been praised by the European Union on a number of occasions. The European Commission’s report on the European Neighbourhood Policy implementation progress for Armenia for 2009, for instance, stated that “the independence of the institution of the Human Rights Defender (HRDO) in the political system and its role for the protection of human rights was further strengthened. Overall, the trend in the number of complaints received by the HRDO is increasing, confirming the growing credibility of this institution”.

Mr Harutyunyan’s visit in Brussels is part of a series of events organized by AGBU Europe in the context of its work with the European institutions.

AGBU Europe is the European branch of the Armenian General Benevolent Union, the world's largest non-profit Armenian organization. AGBU Europe representation in Brussels carries out advocacy work with the EU institutions on issues related to culture, education and intercultural dialogue, on the EU’s relationship with the Republics of Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh and Turkey’s negociations to join the European Union. A series of seminars, round tables, meetings continue to be regularly organized in order to initiate and nurture strategic thinking in the AGBU Europe and the Armenian Diaspora on AGBU Europe’s interests and aspirations, on their relevance to the EU’s agenda and on the best way to achieve them in this context.

“Challenge Turkey’s misrepresentations” says Federation of British Cypriots President

2010-11-12T00:29:00.000+02:00

A recent surge of one-sided media coverage in Britain which effectively endorses Turkey’s positions in relation to Cyprus and unfairly vilifies the Republic of Cyprus today prompted a call by the President of the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK for a redressing of the balance of the debate. Mr Peter Droussiotis urged the UK Cypriot community, as well as friends of the cause of a united Cyprus and the Cypriot community’s political allies in the UK, to redouble their efforts in countering misrepresentations aimed at absolving Turkey of its serious responsibilities in Cyprus.

Mr Droussiotis said:

“In recent days we have seen an apparently orchestrated campaign by the Turkish government, conducted through their friendly politicians and journalists via the British media, whose sole purpose is to exonerate Turkey of its crimes in relation to Cyprus. Shameless attempts are being made to frame the Cyprus problem in a manner that portrays the victim of Turkey’s aggression on the island – the Cypriot people – as the guilty party.

“This has been the backdrop to relentless efforts by Turkey, and those who champion blindly its membership of the European Union, to push for outcomes that legitimise virtually all of the grave consequences of Turkey’s illegal invasion and 36 year old military occupation of the northern part of the island.

“I call upon all Cypriots in the UK – a sizeable voice within the electorate – to support the Federation in its efforts to counter Turkey’s propaganda. We must all urge our elected representatives in the House of Commons, to speak out for justice in Cyprus and to work with us for a free and reunited island. I ask our friends in Parliament to turn up the volume on Cyprus. We must ensure that deliberate misrepresentations in the press are countered by the collective response of those who believe in a peaceful, truly independent and united Cyprus for the benefit of all Cypriots.”

Citing the critical nature of the ongoing negotiations in Cyprus and at the UN next week as a factor for needing to provide redress, Mr Droussiotis called on British Cypriots to write to their MPs demanding support and to write in response to media articles that misrepresented the aims of the Republic of Cyprus in seeking a truly reunited island.

In doing so, he underlined several points that recent media coverage had overlooked:

• The essence of the Cyprus problem is one of invasion and occupation by a foreign power, not merely an inter-communal dispute, as Turkey would like to portray it

• Turkey’s total and continuing disregard of numerous UN and EU resolutions as well as many judgments by the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights

• Turkey’s illegal policy of colonisation of the occupied northern part of the island through the mass transfer of its own nationals, as part of a deliberate strategy to change the demography of the island

• Turkey’s deliberate destruction of the cultural and religious heritage of the island

• Turkey’s refusal to investigate the fate of people, including children, who went missing during its military invasion even in cases where such people are known to have been captured alive by the Turkish army

• Turkey’s refusal to abide by agreements it has already signed with the European Union in relation to Cyprus

• The fact that Turkish Cypriots on the island enjoy full rights as citizens of the Republic of Cyprus and, therefore, as citizens of the European Union

• The overwhelming majority of Cypriots want, and are committed to the struggle for, a free, united Cyprus but know that this cannot be achieved for as long as Turkey refuses to give up control of the area it occupies.

Letter to Jack Straw by the Movement for Freedom & Justice in Cyprus

2010-11-11T19:11:00.001+02:00

Nicosia, 11^th November 2010

Mr Jack Straw, MP

House of Commons

London SW1A 00A

Dear Mr. Straw,

We refer to your article in “The Times”, 8 November 2010, to mention the following:

1. Your principal statement “No ifs or buts, Turkey must be part of the EU”

We express sympathy to your pro-Turkish persistence. After all, Turkey is paying a lot of money in promoting such statements.

However, your arguments in support are unfounded, wrong, unjust and politically senseless.

2. Your argument “Turkey (population 74 million) is now hostage to negotiations over Cyprus. (Greek Cypriot population 0.75 million, Turkish Cypriot 0.25 million)”

This is, indeed, the main argument of the Turkish Government itself, reconfirming that Turkey’s arguments and actions on Cyprus continue to be of British origin.

No surprise, Mr. Straw! As a matter of fact, if you visit www.freedomjustice.com.cy and download the fully documented, bilingual book «Αιματηρή Αλήθεια – Bloody Truth”, you will be fully educated on the British/Turkish conspiracy against Cyprus since the 50’s.

May we remind you, Mr. Straw, that against Turkey’s population of 74 million stands the EU population of 500 million, part of which is the Greek Cypriot population (820 thousand), as well as the LEGITIMATE Turkish Cypriot population, whereupon the conclusion of the Cyprus Issue according to the EU Principles (please refer to the Accession Agreement of the sovereign Republic of Cyprus in the EU, Athens 16 April 2003).

Your invented figure of “250 thousand Turkish Cypriots” IS FRAUDULENT. In 1974 Turkish Cypriot population was 120 thousand, TODAY is 80 thousand (the rest could not stand the illegal presence of Turkish soldiers and settlers and left their Country). The vast majority of what you call “250 thousand Turkish Cypriots” is ILLEGAL SETTLERS, exported from Turkey to the illegally occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus, for the purpose of occupying the stolen Greek owned properties and change the demographic picture of the occupied area TO START WITH and, eventually, the entire demographic chart of the Island.

As you may be are aware of, this consists an internationally declared Crime of War.

3. Your lengthy argument “the writ of the Government of Cyprus extends only to the south of the island, ever since the Turkish Army’s occupation of the predominantly Turkish Cypriot north in 1974. A UN “Green Line” runs through the middle of the capital, Nicosia, with the government of the not-so-far recognised “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” (TRNC) in control in the north […] There are two stories: one of the “unjustifiable” Turkish invasion; the other of such “violent oppression” by the Greek majority of the minority that Turkish protection was (and is) vital. Both sets of stories have truths, but because Greek Cyprus was admitted to the EU before any settlement of the island’s future it is their truths which dominate EU decisions on Turkey”

This argument violates all political, legal and ethical principles, is cynical and degrades your status as former Foreign Secretary and MP of your Country.
May we remind you, Mr. Straw, that the Republic of Cyprus is the State evolved in 1963/64 due to the British/Turkish UNSUCCESSFUL conspiracy to abolish the existing State, the secession/self-isolation of the Turks of Cyprus and the self-abolition of the Treaty of Guarantee, that this sovereign State is democratically governed by the natural majority of its legitimate Citizens, that this very State is internationally recognized for the past 47 years and that this is the State, which on the 1^st of May 2004 joined the EU, as an equal member-State, sovereign over the whole of the island of Cyprus.
May we further remind you, Mr. Straw, that the “Green Line” running through the middle of our Country was NOT originated by the UN, but by a group of British soldiers led by British Major Taggart, who on 30 May 1956 divided Nicosia into two with iron bars and barbed wire, calling at the time this dividing line “Mason-Dixon Line”. This was the initial “partition line” imposed in Cyprus by the British colonial power, which was completed (and drawn In green) by British General Peter Young in December 1963, and so called “Green Line” since then (see "Bloody Truth" Ch. B19 and B31).
Last but not least, we also wish to tell you, Mr. Straw, that violent oppression indeed exists, imposed however by the illegal Turkish invaders, who violate collectively and day after day for 37 years the Human Rights on all the legitimate Citizens of the Republic of Cyprus (Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Latin Cypriots, Maronite Cypriots and Armenian Cypriots).

Here is our own statement:

Your overall approach is made purely for the sake of applying moral and psychological pressure on Greek Cypriots, in view of an anticipated repetition of the David Hannay’s “Anan Plan 2002-2004”.
Forget it, Mr. Straw. Any such “arrangement” will be just another FIASCO.
The attempt to abolish the European Republic of Cyprus and convert it into a Turkish protectorate under British Guardianship is, simply, out of the question.

So, please, do not be furious upon the -even stronger compared to that of 2004- rejection of the “Bizonal, Bicommunal Federation” conspiracy. Just blame yourselves for being arrogant and extraneous.

Sincerely,

Movement for FREEDOM & JUSTICE IN CYPRUS

Panos Ioannides

President

Cypriot High Commissioner Alexandros N. Zenon replies to Jack Straw

2010-11-11T18:14:00.000+02:00

Turkey, the EU and the Cyprus issue
'THE TIMES', Letter to the Editor

November 11 2010 1:01AM

Never has a former Foreign Secretary overlooked his country’s international treaty obligations in such a provocative manner

Sir, What is surprising about Jack Straw’s article (“No ifs or buts, Turkey must be part of the EU”, Opinion, Nov 8) is not so much his inflammatory positions but his lack of understanding of basic facts of the Cyprus problem.

Cyprus became a member of the EU after long negotiations, having fulfilled all criteria, with the support of Mr Straw’s predecessor and of the UK. Accepting a proposed plan for solution was never a precondition, hence the need for a referendum.

Despite his claims, Cyprus, never vetoed Turkey’s membership, but was not given a blank cheque either. The 2006 decision to “freeze” a number of chapters was taken unanimously by all member states, including the UK, due to Turkey’s refusal to fulfil her obligations vis-à-vis the EU and its member states.

While Mr Straw is ready to admit “Turkish Army’s occupation”, he did not condemn this tragic reality. Instead, he calls on the UK Government “to consider formally the partition of Cyprus”. Never before has a former Foreign Secretary overlooked his country’s international treaty obligations and UN Security Council decisions, guaranteeing the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cyprus, in such a provocative manner.

Mr Straw seems to have anticipated the fury that his comments would cause. I am not going to ask him to “wash his mouth with carbolic”. After all, it is not his words that I, and thousands of Cypriot refugees, find disturbing, but his logic. Can he not really see that the consequence of his line of thinking would open a highway for his worst fears to come about?

Alexandros N. Zenon
High Commissioner for the Republic of Cyprus, London SW1

________________________________

Press and Information Office

Cyprus High Commission

13 St. James' Square

London SW1Y 4LB

Tel: 02073214-143/141

Fax: 02073214-167/164/165

email: presscounsellor@chclondon.org.uk

website: www.mfa.gov.cy/highcomlondon

Turkish mentality, 2010: "I LOVE TO HATE"

2010-11-06T02:33:00.001+02:00

The following screen shots* from Facebook tell us a lot... Who taught this young girl (born in 1988) to "love to hate"? What kind of educational and social conditions lead this girl to join such racist groups as the "F*uck Armenian" one? Is it the kind of education and the kind of society and politics that denies the Armenican Genocide and calls the brutal Turkish invasion and occupation of Cyprus a ..."peace operation"?

Who can forget the disturbing images of other young Turkish shouting "Heil Hitler" and "Turks raped your mothers" and giving Nazi salutes?

Make sure you report this racist, hate group to Facebook, and let us all try to understand what leads young Turks such as Gunel to "love to hate" and have so much venom in their hearts (literally...)

* At the time the screen shots were taken and published, both profiles on Facebook were open to public

Genocide and Invasion denier Michael McMahon defeated

2010-11-05T02:13:00.001+02:00

Once again, congratulations to the Hellenes and the Armenians grassroots activists for this amazing coordination of action. United we can achieve a lot! Our warmest regards to the Cyprus Action Network of America and the Armenian National Council of America. Keep up the good work! Genocide and Invasion denial shall not go unchallenged!

PS - Shame on PSEKA and CFA, we can add nothing more. There actions are a disgrace to the Hellenic Diaspora. Shame on them for supporting the neo-apartheid constitution of the "Bizonal Bicommunal Federation" a racist and anti-Hellenic "solution" to the Cyprus problem.

Cyprus Action Network of America
Press Release, 04 November 2010

The Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA) is pleased to announce that Armenian Genocide denier and Turkish invasion denier Michael McMahon was defeated in the Congressional elections for District 13 in New York by Republican challenger Michael Grimm. In March of this year McMahon as Congressman voted against the Armenian Genocide resolution and received funding from Turkish foreign sources three weeks after this vote.

The Greek American community of Brooklyn and Staten Island and throughout the greater New York area was mobilized against McMahon thanks to early initiatives and hard work by CANA and the ANCA Armenian National Committee of America. Eleni Kostopoulos, a Bay Ridge Brooklyn resident and lead writer for community issues for the National Herald wrote a series of articles about Genocide denial and McMahon following press releases issued by CANA to the community. In the (March 12-March 19, 2010) weekly edition of The National Herald Eleni Kostopoulos wrote about McMahon’s vote against the Armenian Genocide in Congress ““I was particularly bothered by this narrow margin victory when I was informed that the congressman who represents my district (a district comprised of an estimated 20,000 Greek Americans) was one of those 22 voters against the resolution. Michael McMahon is a congressman I will not vote for come congressional elections.”

In the weeks following the McMahon’s vote, Greek American and Armenian American community activists protested a fundraiser at Ali Baba’s Turkish restaurant in Manhattan, where McMahon went to receive Turkish government funding for his genocide denial in Congress. This was covered by the community press and recorded on you tube:

ANCA PRESS RELEASE: ARMENIAN AND GREEK AMERICAN ACTIVISTS PROTEST MCMAHON'S EFFORT TO CASH IN ON ANTI-ARMENIAN GENOCIDE VOTE: http://anca.org/press_releases/press_releases.php?prid=1846

Armenian and Greek American activists protest NY Rep. McMahon: Greek Reporter USA
http://usa.greekreporter.com/2010/04/05/armenian-and-greek-american-activists-protest-ny-rep-mcmahon/

Activists Protest McMahon Effort to Cash-In on Anti-Armenian Genocide Vote ANCA grassroots YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOSA6ZORjJ0

Distinguished Greek-Cypriot researcher and journalist Fanoulla Argyrou also reported on this in Greek, in a report widely disseminated to Greek and Greek-Cypriot media

Τα «30 αργύρια» του Michael McMahon Για άμεση κυκλοφορία: 30 Μάρτιος, 2010
http://cyprusactionnetwork.org/michael_mcmahon

Despite bitter protests to the representatives of the Cypriot government controlled lobby –PSEKA and “National Coordinated Effort of Hellenes” and Cyprus Federation of America CFA.—the so-called “lobby” continued their support of McMahon , the genocide denier, based on his support of the Turkish-British bizonal bicommunal federation, --Panicos Papanicolaou , Nikos Mouyiaris, and Philip Christopher (all of whom are immigrants from Cyprus and make up the majority of the leadership of the National Coordinated Effort of Hellenes) continued to organize fundraisers for McMahon—as reported by marginal Astoria-based newspaper “Greek News” (whose publisher has family ties to the Cypriot government) Panicos Papanicolaou went so far as to say McMahon “has Cyprus in his heart” sure Panicos can now discuss this at length with the loser McMahon over an Irish Guinness….
http://www.greeknewsonline.com/?p=13058

McMahon was so fond of this one “Greek” article that he posted it on his own loser website:
http://www.mikemcmahonforcongress.com/InTheNews/IntheNewsReadMore12.html

The article was written by Apostolos Zoupaniotis, the publisher of the marginal “Greek News”, earlier in the year he also posted a series of pro-McMahon screeds on his newspaper’s websites attempting the “kill the messenger” that brought the news out that McMahon is a Genocide denier and gets Turkish funding, here’s one in English that is almost as bad as Christofias’ was at the Brookings Institution:
http://www.greeknewsonline.com/?p=12111#more-12111

"The loser McMahon with his characteristic "I smell something bad" smile poses with Panicos Papanicolaou at a recent barbacue fundraiser in Papanicolaou's Brooklyn Mansion. Panicos says McMahon "has Cyprus in his heart" ,sure Panicos can discuss it with loser McMahon over an Irish Guinness now." (comment by CANA)

Christofias’ bizonal ideology was not lost on McMahon, who repeatedly said he supported bizonality. And Christofias’ support of McMahon runs deep, in this picture we see McMahon with his characteristic “I smell something bad smile” alongside Christofias.

What this lesson teaches us is that the so-called “lobby” (or Cypriot government controlled lobby”) has failed, that despite its feet stomping that would make a three year old proud, the Greek American community when shown the evidence will NEVER side with Genocide denial and those who take Turkish blood money.

The age of the internet has given CANA the wide coverage that dwarfs little marginal newspapers like “Greek News” We at CANA are happy that the people won this time, McMahon is defeated.

It’s time that the Greek American community starts being run by the Greek Americans and not by foreign controlled lobbies, this defeat of McMahon show how our people united can never be defeated.

It’s sad that the well-funded so-called “lobby” failed to organize at the grass-roots and we are left in this election with only 2 full-blooded Greeks in Congress, Bilirakis and Sarbanes. Meanwhile, grassroots power has won this election, the ANCA Press Release this morning reads, OVER 90% OF ANCA BACKED CANDIDATES WIN: “Each of the six non-incumbents endorsed and backed by the ANCA won their elections, including, most notably Michael Grimm, who, with the energetic support of ANCA activists in New York, unseated Armenian Genocide Resolution opponent Rep. Michael McMahon (D-NY). Grimm has been vocal about his support for Armenian Genocide legislation and the need to end Turkey’s occupation of Cyprus in meetings with Armenian and Greek American activists, who volunteered with the Republican challenger’s campaign.”

Good riddance to bad rubbish.
Nikolaos Taneris, Press Officer, Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA)

Over 90% of ANCA backed candidates win

2010-11-05T02:09:00.000+02:00

Armenian National Committee of America
Press Release, 03 November 2010
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian ~ Tel: (202) 775-1918

OVER 90% OF ANCA BACKED CANDIDATES WIN

Key Senate Victories include Reid, Kirk, Boxer, Schumer, and Mikulski; ANCA Played Key Role in Defeat of McMahon and Shea-Porter

WASHINGTON, DC – Over 90% of the Congressional candidates backed by the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) prevailed in yesterday’s hard-fought mid-term elections.

“We join with Armenian Americans from across the country in congratulating the winners of these elections from both parties, and look forward to working constructively with the new members and leaders of Congress,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “We are especially proud of our community’s pivotal role in the outcome of several key races, including Mark Kirk’s victory in Illinois, Barbara Boxer’s win in California, Harry Reid’s triumph in Nevada, and, of course, Mike Grimm’s defeat of Representative Michael McMahon.”

A complete list of ANCA endorsed candidates and how they fared in the 2010 Congressional elections is provided below.

Five out of the six Senators endorsed by the ANCA emerged victorious, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Barbara Mikulski (D-MD). The only ANCA backed Senate candidate to lose was Russ Feingold (D-WI), a perennial cosponsor of Armenian Genocide legislation.

On the House side, the ANCA endorsed 158 candidates in 31 states. Of this total, 152 were incumbents, of which, only nine were reported to have lost their re-election bids, with two races still pending. Each of the six non-incumbents endorsed and backed by the ANCA won their elections, including, most notably Michael Grimm, who, with the energetic support of ANCA activists in New York, unseated Armenian Genocide Resolution opponent Rep. Michael McMahon (D-NY). Grimm has been vocal about his support for Armenian Genocide legislation and the need to end Turkey’s occupation of Cyprus in meetings with Armenian and Greek American activists, who volunteered with the Republican challenger’s campaign.

ANCA activists in New Hampshire, and from across New England, played a pivotal role in helping Republican Frank Guinta successfully unseat Congresswoman Carol Shea Porter (D-NH). Porter, who has actively opposed a number Armenian American legislative initiatives, including the adoption of the Armenian Genocide Resolution, was defeated by Guinta, 46% to 39%, with the active support of Armenian American voters and a coalition of others committed to human rights and humanitarian issues. In addition to Congressional Report Cards (Shea-Porter received an ANCA rating of "C" in 2010 and "F" in 2008) and the Congressional Candidate Questionnaires, which Guinta completed, the ANCA endorsed Guinta and rallied local voters with a 72-hour get-out-the vote-campaign that featured phone banking and targeted emails.

Other challengers securing victories on Tuesday night included Robert Dold, who will succeed Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Mark Kirk in Illinois’ 10th district; Marlin Stutzman, elected to the seat vacated by Rep. Mark Souder in Indiana’s 3rd district; Hansen Clarke, who beat incumbent Representative Carolyn Kilpatrick Cheeks in the Democratic primary in Michigan’s 13th district; and David Cicilline, who will succeed retiring Congressman Patrick Kennedy in Rhode Island’s first Congressional District. ANCA activists in each of these states worked closely with the individual campaigns, volunteering for phone banks, emailing constituents and joining in a variety of “get-out-the-vote” activities.

Among the key ANCA endorsed incumbent winners were Congressman Eric Cantor (R-VA), who will likely be the House Majority Leader, and Thaddeus McCotter, who is also set to remain in the Republican leadership. House Armenian Caucus CoChair Frank Pallone (D-NJ), who received an A+ rating and was endorsed by the ANCA, survived a strong challenge by Republican Anna Little. Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.252) lead sponsor Adam Schiff (D-CA) won reelection by a broad margin, along with House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard Berman (D-CA), who played a critical role in securing his Committee's passage of this human rights measure in March, 2010. Other supporter of Armenian American concerns did not fare as well, with Florida Democrat Ron Klein losing his re-election bid and Central Valley Congressman Jim Costa battling in a race that is still too close to call.

Members of Congress who have worked against Armenian American priorities and were defeated included Reps. Ike Skelton (D-MO) and Solomon Ortiz (D-TX), who spearheaded a Congressional letter to Speaker Pelosi in 2007 opposing House consideration of the Armenian Genocide Resolution. Other House members who received poor grades on the ANCA rating system and who lost their re-election bids were: Earl Pomeroy (D-ND), Melissa Bean (D-IL), Chris Carney (D-PA), Chet Edwards (D-TX), Ciro Rodriguez (D-TX), Patrick Murphy (D-PA) and John Spratt (D-SC). Rep. Gerry Connolly, who voted and spoke against the Armenian Genocide Resolution in committee this past March, remains in a tight race that appears headed for a recount.

As a result of these elections, the Democratic majority in the Senate will narrow, and the U.S. House will shift from Democratic to Republican control, moving leadership of key committees, including Foreign Affairs and Appropriations, into the hands of GOP chairmen.

Unprecedented Armenian American Community and Campaign Outreach:

In dozens of states and hundreds of Congressional Districts across the United States in which ANCA endorsed candidates ran, the ANCA sent tens of thousands of customized email messages to Armenian American voters. These messages featured the ANCA grade for each candidate, news about whether the ANCA has endorsed their campaign, and a listing of ANCA records and ratings for their state's full Congressional delegation.

The ANCA's email campaign was complemented by tens of thousands of phone calls by both volunteers and automated phone systems to Armenian American voters, each with individualized messages about the importance of voting for ANCA-endorsed candidates.

The ANCA's final push built upon months of voter registration campaigns and community education and empowerment programs. ANCA regional and local activists volunteered on campaigns and encouraged candidates to fill out the ANCA Candidate questionnaire.

A key element of this effort, as in years past, has been ANCA Congressional Report Cards, a detailed review and rating of the records of each Congressional incumbent on more than a dozen individual legislative initiatives of special concern to Armenian American voters.

#####

ANCA Endorsed Candidates and How They Fared in the Midterm Congressional Elections

Senate:

Barbara Boxer (D-CA) – Won
Barbara Mikulski (D-MI) – Won
Harry Reid (D-NV) – Won
Chuck Schumer (D-NY) – Won
Russ Feingold (D-WI) – Lost

House of Representatives
(in State and District order)

Eni Faleomavaega (D-AS-AL) - Won
Raul Grijalva (D-AZ-7) - Won
Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ-8) - Won
Mike Thompson (D-CA-1) - Won
Dan Lungren (R-CA-3) - Won
Doris Matsui (D-CA-5) - Won
Lynn Woolsey (D-CA-6) - Won
George Miller (D-CA-7) - Won
Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-8) - Won
Barbara Lee (D-CA-9) - Won
John Garamendi (D-CA-10) - Won
Jerry McNerney (D-CA-11) - Too close to Call
Jackie Speier (D-CA-12) - Won
Pete Stark (D-CA-13) - Won
Anna Eshoo (D-CA-14) - Won
Michael Honda (D-CA-15) - Won
Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-16) - Won
Sam Farr (D-CA-17) - Won
Dennis Cardoza (D-CA-18) - Won
Jim Costa (D-CA-20) - Too close to Call
Devin Nunes (R-CA-21) - Won
Kevin McCarthy (R-CA-22) - Won
Lois Capps (D-CA-23) - Won
Elton Gallegly (R-CA-24) - Won
Buck McKeon (R-CA-25) - Won
David Dreier (R-CA-26) - Won
Brad Sherman (D-CA-27) - Won
Howard Berman (D-CA-28) - Won
Adam Schiff (D-CA-29) - Won
Henry Waxman (D-CA-30) - Won
Xavier Becerra (D-CA-31) - Won
Judy Chu (D-CA-32) - Won
Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA-34) - Won
Maxine Waters (D-CA-35) - Won
Laura Richardson (D-CA-37) - Won
Grace Napolitano (D-CA-38) - Won
Linda Sanchez (D-CA-39) - Won
Edward Royce (R-CA-40) - Won
Gary Miller (R-CA-42) - Won
Joe Baca (D-CA-43) - Won
Ken Calvert (R-CA-44) - Won
Mary Bono Mack (R-CA-45) - Won
Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA-46) - Won
Loretta Sanchez (D-CA-47) - Won
John Campbell (R-CA-48) - Won
Darrell Issa (R-CA-49) - Won
Brian Bilbray (R-CA-50) - Won
Bob Filner (D-CA-51) - Won
Diana DeGette (D-CO-1) - Won
Jared Polis (D-CO-2) - Won
John Salazar (D-CO-3) - Lost
John Larson (D-CT-1) - Won
Joe Courtney (D-CT-2) - Won
Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-3) - Won
Jim Himes (D-CT-4) - Won
Chris Murphy (D-CT-5) - Won
Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-9) - Won
Ron Klein (D-FL-22) - Lost
Mazie Hirono (D-HI-2) - Won
Bruce Braley (D-IA-1) - Won
Walter Minnick (D-ID-1) - Lost
Bobby Rush (D-IL-1) - Won
Jesse Jackson (D-IL-2) - Won
Daniel Lipinski (D-IL-3) - Won
Mike Quigley (D-IL-5) - Won
Peter Roskam (R-IL-6) - Won
Danny Davis (D-IL-7) - Won
Janice Schakowsky (D-IL-9) - Won
Robert Dold (R-IL-10) - Won
Jerry Costello (D-IL-12) - Won
Donald Manzullo (R-IL-16) - Won
Peter Visclosky (D-IN-1) - Won
Marlin Stutzman (R-IN-3) - Won
John Yarmuth (D-KY-3) - Won
Anh "Joseph" Cao (R-LA-2) - Lost
John Olver (D-MA-1) - Won
Richard Neal (D-MA-2) - Won
James McGovern (D-MA-3) - Won
Barney Frank (D-MA-4) - Won
Niki Tsongas (D-MA-5) - Won
John Tierney (D-MA-6) - Won
Edward Markey (D-MA-7) - Won
Michael Capuano (D-MA-8) - Won
Stephen Lynch (D-MA-9) - Won
John Sarbanes (D-MD-3) - Won
Steny Hoyer (D-MD-5) - Won
Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD-6) - Won
Christopher Van Hollen (D-MD-8) - Won
Michael Michaud (D-ME-2) - Won
Dale Kildee (D-MI-5) - Won
Gary Peters (D-MI-9) - Won
Candice Miller (R-MI-10) - Won
Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI-11) - Won
Sander Levin (D-MI-12) - Won
Hansen Clarke (D-MI-13) - Won
John Conyers (D-MI-14) - Won
Timothy Walz (D-MN-1) - Won
Betty McCollum (D-MN-4) - Won
Keith Maurice Ellison (D-MN-5) - Won
Michele Marie Bachmann (R-MN-6) - Won
Collin Peterson (D-MN-7) - Won
Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO-5) - Won
Frank Guinta (R-NH-1) - Won
Robert Andrews (D-NJ-1) - Won
Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ-2) - Won
John Adler (D-NJ-3) - Lost
Christopher Smith (R-NJ-4) - Won
Scott Garrett (R-NJ-5) - Won
Frank Pallone (D-NJ-6) - Won
Leonard Lance (R-NJ-7) - Won
Steven Rothman (D-NJ-9) - Won
Donald Payne (D-NJ-10) - Won
Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ-11) - Won
Rush Holt (D-NJ-12) - Won
Albio Sires (D-NJ-13) - Won
Martin Heinrich (D-NM-1) - Won
Shelley Berkley (D-NV-1) - Won
Dean Heller (R-NV-2) - Won
Dina Titus (D-NV-3) - Lost
Tim Bishop (D-NY-1) - Won
Steve Israel (D-NY-2) - Won
Peter King (R-NY-3) - Won
Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY-4) - Won
Gary Ackerman (D-NY-5) - Won
Joseph Crowley (D-NY-7) - Won
Jerrold Nadler (D-NY-8) - Won
Anthony Weiner (D-NY-9) - Won
Michael Grimm (R-NY-13) - Won
Carolyn Maloney (D-NY-14) - Won
Charles Rangel (D-NY-15) - Won
Eliot Engel (D-NY-17) - Won
Nita Lowey (D-NY-18) - Won
John Hall (D-NY-19) - Lost
Paul Tonko (D-NY-21) - Won
Maurice Hinchey (D-NY-22) - Won
Dan Maffei (D-NY-25) - Won
Dennis Kucinich (D-OH-10) - Won
Betty Sue Sutton (D-OH-13) - Won
Steven LaTourette (R-OH-14) - Won
Zachary Space (D-OH-18) - Lost
David Wu (D-OR-1) - Won
Peter DeFazio (D-OR-4) - Won
Robert Brady (D-PA-1) - Won
Chaka Fattah (D-PA-2) - Won
Allyson Schwartz (D-PA-13) - Won
Mike Doyle (D-PA-14) - Won
David Cicilline (D-RI-1) - Won
James Langevin (D-RI-2) - Won
Charlie Gonzalez (D-TX-20) - Won
Lloyd Doggett (D-TX-25) - Won
Gene Green (D-TX-29) - Won
Jim Matheson (D-UT-2) - Won
Robert Scott (D-VA-3) - Won
Tom Perriello (D-VA-5) - Lost
Eric Cantor (R-VA-7) - Won
Frank Wolf (R-VA-10) - Won
Paul Ryan (R-WI-1) - Won
F. James Sensenbrenner (R-WI-5) – Won

The slogan “Bring them Back” echoed all over the British Museum!

2010-10-29T05:43:00.004+03:00

Official Press Release from Cypriot Student METOPO UK, dated 25 October 2010

The afternoon of Saturday October 23^rd outside the British Museum, was strikingly different to any other. The flashes of the visitors were immortalising not any of the Museums’ stolen exhibits, but rather, the demonstrators standing in the front yard of the Museum, who wearing black t-shirts, holding banners and placards, were conveying the demand of the Hellenes anywhere in the world: “Bring Them Back”.

The demonstration for the return and restoration of the Parthenon Sculptures, organised by the ‘METOPO Cypriot Student Movement UK’ and the non-governmental organisation ‘Artclick’, under the campaign “Bring Them Back”, was an ultimate absolute success, as the people embraced it and dynamically became part of it.

[click on the photos for enlargement]

The visitors of the Museum, informed as they were by the students of METOPO who were distributing leaflets regarding the Parthenon sculptures and the “Bring Them Back” campaign outside the Museum, were now facing, along with the demonstrators, reality: the Hellenic civilisation is the Hellenic Pride and the protests of the Hellenes for their stolen dignity are completely just.

The President of METOPO, Marios Nicolaou, delivered a resolution to the competent authorities of the Museum, demanding the return of the Parthenon sculptures to Greece, as well as analyzing and crushing their cheap and untrue arguments regarding the so-called protection of the marbles. Of course, the sculptures were not returned. However, we are under no circumstance willing to stop here. The demonstration that took place last Saturday was only the beginning. We understand that our struggle for the reinstatement of the Parthenon Sculptures will be long and difficult, but we feel that it is our duty to be part of this campaign, for as long as these Hellenic cultural treasures is held unlawfully in the country where our movement is based.

[click on the photos for enlargement]

From now on, the restoration and return of the Parthenon marbles to Greece has become an aim and purpose to us. We reserve and promise, that each and every time, the British authorities will hear an even louder “Bring Them Back”, from the autonomous students of METOPO. This campaign will be over and we will complacent, only when we are able to flaunt the sculptures, reunited after almost 200 years, inside the new Acropolis Museum.

[click on the photos for enlargement]

Click here for more photos.

British government investigates 300 mystery baby deaths on Cyprus

2010-10-28T20:10:00.000+03:00

A very disturbing story indeed. We are waiting for the results of the investigation... The 1960-70 period in Cyprus is a dark period, and the British government and military are complicit in many political crimes that have been carried out on the island during that time. The book "Blood Truth" (available for free in pdf), documents many of the British activities of that time.

source: The Telegraph
title: British government investigates 300 mystery baby deaths on Cyprus
date: 25 October 2010
author: Nick Squires

British government investigates 300 mystery baby deaths on Cyprus

The British Government is finally carrying out an investigation into the mystery deaths of around 300 babies born to military families in Cyprus in the 1960s, amid suspicions of a high-level cover-up.

The deaths of so many infants have never been adequately explained, with speculation that they may have been caused by poor hospital hygiene or an outbreak of typhoid, polo, cholera or meningitis.

Some former servicemen believe the blame lies with the cocktail of inoculations they were given prior to being stationed in Cyprus, or that the deaths were linked to exposure to radioactive military material.

The babies died in a military hospital in Dhekelia, one of the two sovereign bases, along with Akrotiri, which Britain retained after Cyprus was granted independence in 1960 after decades of colonial rule.

In 1964 alone, around 56 babies died, some of them just a day old. They are buried in a British military cemetery there.

After decades in which parents claimed the truth of the saga was hushed up by British military authorities, the Ministry of Defence has launched an investigation into the deaths.

It came after a former serviceman, Mike Pitcher, who served on the island with the RAF from 1961 to 1963, lobbied his local MP to push for an inquiry.

His wife's baby girl was stillborn when it was delivered in 1962 and he believes the deaths may be connected to medical inoculations given to British military personnel.

"It was compulsory to undergo a large concoction of inoculations, maybe six or seven, for things like yellow fever and typhoid," Mr Pitcher, 71, whose wife subsequently had three healthy children, told the Daily Telegraph yesterday.

"I wouldn't like to say whether there has been an official cover-up or not. All we want is some form of closure, and to receive a reasonable answer as to why all these babies died." The results of the three-month investigation are expected to be presented to Norman Lamb, the Liberal Democrat MP for North Norfolk, in the next two weeks.

"The Ministry of Defence is investigating the number of infant deaths in Cyprus in the early to mid-1960s," said a spokeswoman.

"As part of this investigation, we are examining the completeness and accuracy of the births and deaths registration data." An independent expert, Prof Stephen Evans of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, has analysed the data to determine if the death rate was higher than normal on the base.

Mr Lamb told the Daily Telegraph: "It's an incredibly poignant story and it begs some very serious questions. It is too early to get into conspiracy theories, and there may be a perfectly sensible explanation as to what happened, but it's clear that it should be thoroughly investigated."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/cyprus/8086181/British-government-investigates-300-mystery-baby-deaths-on-Cyprus.html

Huge sucess: Metopo's "Bring Them Back" demonstration for the Parthenon Sculptures

2010-10-27T18:01:00.002+03:00

The grassroots Cypriot Student Movement 'METOPO', in cooperation with Actclick, carried out a very successful demonstration outside the British Museum. Congratulations to the students of Metopo and we hope that more such activities will take place!

sources: Elginism.com 24 and 27 October 2010 and Metopo.org.uk

The Parthenon Marbles reunification protest outside the British Museum yesterday was well attended – by my counting, there were over fifty people there, despite the rather chilly weather. There was quite a bit of interest from some of the people passing by & I got a chance to meet the organisers of the event. Unfortunately the British Museum limits the duration of such protests to fourty minutes – which has the effect of limiting the impact of them to people passing by during that time period.

Demonstration for the return of Parthenon's sculptures by Metopo and Actclick

2010-10-17T14:38:00.001+03:00

The very active grassroots, democratic Cypriot Student Movement METOPO, based in the UK, is organizing, along with the Greek "Actclick" a demonstration outside the British Museum in London on the 23rd of October 2010 demanding the return of the Parthenon sculptures back to Hellas. The demonstration is part of the wider "Bring Them Back" campaign. We call all Greek students and residents in London to join them, along with everyone that believes the antiquities should be returned to their rightful owners.

For more information on Metopo: http://www.metopo.org.uk
For more information on the Bring Them Back campaign: http://www.bringthemback.org

We copy the related Press Resease of Metopo (in Greek):

ΔΕΛΤΙΟ ΤΥΠΟΥ

Εκδήλωση διαμαρτυρίας για την επιστροφή των γλυπτών του Παρθενώνα στην Ελλάδα

Λονδίνο, 14 Οκτωβρίου 2010

Η φτηνή βρετανική δικαιολογία περί προστασίας των γλυπτών του Παρθενώνα, δεν υφίσταται πλέον. Το νέο, υπερσύγχρονο, αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο της Ακρόπολης είναι πλέον γεγονός και έφτασε η ώρα να γεμίσει η πιο σημαντική του προθήκη.

Το ΜΕΤΩΠΟ Κυπρίων Φοιτητών Ηνωμένου Βασιλείου και η οργάνωση Actclick, η οποία ηγείται της εκστρατείας Bring Them Back, σας καλούν στην εκδήλωση διαμαρτυρίας που συνδιοργανώνουν στις 23 Οκτωβρίου 2010 και ώρα 14:00, στο προαύλιο του Βρετανικού Μουσείου στο Λονδίνο.

Καλούμε όλο το κόσμο, Έλληνες και μη, οργανωμένα σύνολα, ιδιώτες και φοιτητές, να παρευρεθούν στην 40λεπτη εκδήλωσή μας, για να ενημερώσουμε τους επισκέπτες του μουσείου για το έγκλημα που διαπράττεται εδώ και περισσότερο από 200 χρόνια και να απαιτήσουμε την επιστροφή των γλυπτών του Παρθενώνα στην Ελλάδα.

Φτάνει πια η κοροϊδία, φτάνει να ζητούμε το αυτονόητο, φτάνει να βλέπουμε την ιστορία μας σε βιτρίνες άλλων χωρών.

Στις 23 Οκτωβρίου δεν παρακαλούμε, ΑΠΑΙΤΟΥΜΕ την επιστροφή των γλυπτών του Παρθενώνα!

Γραφείο Τύπου
ΜΕΤΩΠΟ Κυπρίων Φοιτητών Ηνωμένου Βασιλείου

www.metopo.org.uk

Metopo sends a letter to David Cameron: "The imaginary isolation of Turkish Cypriots and the violation of Cypriot’s human rights"

2010-10-11T04:19:00.001+03:00

We copy here a letter sent to the Prime Minister of Britain David Cameron by the young activists of Cypriot Student Movement METOPO in the UK. Metopo is a democratic grassroots movement, founded in 2006 and has been officially represented in the Union of Cypriot Students of UK. It has representatives in most UK Universities and Colleges and has been active in countering Turkish propaganda in the UK and elsewhere.

source: Cypriot Student Movement METOPO UK (www.metopo.org.uk)
date: 09 October 2010

The imaginary isolation of Turkish Cypriots and the violation of Cypriot’s human rights

Dear Prime Minister,

As a Cypriot student movement in the United Kingdom, we feel the need to express our shock and dismay for the demonstration organised on Sunday at Trafalgar Square by the “TRNC freedom” movement, which calls upon the recognition of the so-called “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” by Yourself and the people of the United Kingdom.

The so-called Turkish republic of Northern Cyprus is a pseudo-entity that nobody else recognised except the aggressor itself, Turkey. It is nothing more and nothing less than the outcome of the illegal invasion and occupation of the island, and the legalisation of the fait accompli of Turkey’s aggressions. We want to make it explicit that the northern part of Cyprus has never been ethnically Turkish. Greek and Turkish Cypriots have cohabitated in the whole island throughout recent history. It was only after the Turkish invasion and occupation that the Turkish army has violently displaced all the Greek-Cypriot inhabitants from the north. Based on clear plans of ethnocide, they have forcibly changed the names of towns and villages, from Greek to Turkish and systematically destroyed or desecrated ancient Greek monuments and Christian places of worship that were a testament to the true historical character of Cyprus. Thus, “TRNC” constitutes an illegal regime and there is no question of international recognition for it, as there is a decision adopted by the International Community and confirmed by United Nations and the European Community. Particularly, UN Security Council Resolution 541/1983, dated 18 November 1983, declares the proclamation of the establishment of the “TRNC” legally invalid and calls upon all states ‘not to recognise any Cypriot State other than the Republic of Cyprus.’ Also, Resolution 550, dated 11 May 1984, calls upon all states ‘not to facilitate or in anyway assist the aforesaid secessionist entity (meaning “TRNC”)’.

Our country was barbarically invaded by Turkey on the 20th July 1974. Over 5,000 people were murdered in the process, most of these being unarmed civilians, women, men, children and old people. 200,000 Greek Cypriots were uprooted, and made refugees in their own country to this day. Well over 160,000 unlawful Turkish Anatolian Settlers were imported to the island by Turkey in order to fill the vacuum left after the persecution of the refugees. More than a thousand souls are still missing, presumed to be murdered and what’s left of them scattered all over the occupied area, and ever since 1974 Turkey still occupies 37% of the island with the might of over 43,000 strong Turkish Army. In the occupied area, over 500 Christian Churches and cemeteries have been desecrated by the Turks, and turned into stables, toilets, mosques, coffee shops and even night clubs. 800 Greek Cypriot women, young girls and even elders were barbarically raped and murdered by the Turks in 1974, in front of their families. Horrific narration of Turkey’s atrocities were published in unprecedented detail in the British newspaper “The Sun” on 5th August 1974, and two years later were officially confirmed and condemned by the Council of Europe. Turkey was found guilty as charged.

The Turkish Cypriot claims of isolation are nothing but a myth. The Republic of Cyprus has always held its doors open for them, and they were always free and able to enjoy their rights and benefits as lawful citizens of the state. They are free to acquire a Passport and Identification Card of the Republic of Cyprus, and enjoy their full rights as European Citizens. The only ones not able to do so are the Turkish Settlers, which of course are not lawful citizens of the state. The Cyprus problem is not the fake isolation of the Turkish Cypriots, but the fact that Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974 and since then, a large part of a sovereign country is still under illegal military occupation.

On the contrary, barbed wires block the way for the Greek Cypriots to enter the occupied area in order to visit the graves of their loved ones, unless they demonstrate a valid ID, as if they are to visit another country. People die, with the hope to return to their ancestral homes remaining a far-fetched dream. The so-called “TRNC” violates the human rights of the Greek Cypriots, and simultaneously the rights of the Turkish Cypriots who because of the Turkish propaganda believe that the European Community and the United Nations are guilty for their imaginary isolation.

We ask from the new British Government, which promised to respect human rights and justice, to consider the people of Cyprus whose rights are being violated to this day. We ask to block the way to this Turkish illegal demand. Besides, the UN Security Council Resolutions are clear and prohibit any recognition of the secessionist entity and no assistance or cooperation with it.

We thank you for taking the time to read this letter.

Yours sincerely,

Marios Nikolaou
President
‘METOPO’, Cypriot Student Movement UK

Read the full press release in Greek here: http://www.metopo.org.uk/dt2010010009-trncfreedom.html

Julio Iglesias cancels planned concert in occupied Cyprus

2010-10-09T20:54:00.000+03:00

Yet another moral victory for Cyprus, another blow to Turkey's plans for indirect recognition of occupied Cyprus as a separate state. The Τurkish press laments the fact that Julio Iglesias, in the same way as Jennifer Lopez, cancelled the concert in occupied Cyprus.

Julio Iglesias cancels planned concert in Turkish [note: illegally Turkish-occupied] Cyprus

http://www.sabahenglish.com/news/11337.html
'Sabah' 08 October, 2010
Renowned veteran Spanish singer Julio Iglesias is the latest star to reportedly have been pressured to cancel his decision to stage a gig in Turkish Cyprus following increasing pressure from Greek Cypriots.

The Greek Cypriot Alitheia daily reported on Thursday that Iglesias had cancelled his performance in Turkish Cyprus after being informed that the country he was about to perform in was only a “self-declared state.”

According to the news outlet, Iglesias is the fifth star to cancel his gig in Turkish Cyprus in the past four months. American Cypriot Greeks and Greeks are believed to have been behind Iglesias' decision to call off his performance. They reportedly inundated his website's e-mail inbox with messages informing him about the “ill regime” there.

The Alitheia report quotes Iglesias as saying that the star would not perform in a state that is not recognized internationally.

Jennifer Lopez, Anastasia, Rihanna and Justin Timberlake also cancelled their scheduled performances in Turkish Cyprus following pressure and protests by Greek Cypriots.

Latin pop star Lopez's cancellation of her gig at the luxury Cratos Premium Hotel sparked a strong reaction from the Turkish side, and the hotel's executive board said it would sue Lopez if she did not change her mind.

Reha Arar, chairman of the Executive Board of Turkish Cyprus Merit Hotels, told reporters after Iglesias cancelled his performance that arts and culture are universal and should not be used for scoring political points. He said they considered the star's concert as a sign of friendship.

(CIHAN)

Turkish general admits campaign of provocations in Cyprus

2010-09-28T16:44:00.000+03:00

source: Hellenic Antidote
date: 24 September 2010

Turks have always sought to justify the invasion of Cyprus by suggesting it was designed to save the Turkish minority on the island, which they say had been under attack since 1955 – but particularly since 1963 – from Cypriot Greeks hell bent on uniting Cyprus with Greece. Of course, this is typical Turkish falsification; but so unwaveringly have Turks been pushing this line that not only do they believe it, but many Greeks, both in Cyprus and Greece, have also come to accept that our side mistreated the island’s Turks and, as such, that we share the blame for Cyprus’ tragedy and must take punishment for our ‘crimes’ in the form of submitting to Annan-type plans.

The truth of the intercommunal clashes in Cyprus is, of course, not one of Greek persecutors and Turkish victims; but of provocations by Turkey aimed at setting Cyprus’ communities at each other’s throats and promoting Turkey’s goal of ethnic and geographical separation on the island.

And just to prove that the intercommunal violence in Cyprus in 1958, 1963 and 1967 were not attempts by Greek Cypriots to wipe out the Turkish minority and achieve unhindered their dream of Enosis, but provocations by Turkey designed to pave the way for partition, we have had this week retired Turk General Sabri Yirmimbesoglou, who served in Cyprus in the 1950s and 1960s in his country’s Special Warfare Department, admitting to Turkish TV that ‘to stir up the Turkish Cypriots, we carried out sabotage, such as the burning of mosques, and then blamed this on the Greek Cypriots. This was the modus operandi of the Special Warfare Department. In Cyprus, we burned mosques.’

It should be noted that outbreaks of intercommunal violence in Cyprus often started with bombs going off against Turkish ‘targets’, mosques, newspaper offices, etc, which were blamed on Greek Cypriots. Turkish Cypriots would then riot, attack homes and businesses belonging to Greeks, who retaliated. The Greeks, being better armed and more numerous, would often overwhelm Turkish Cypriots, who cried ‘massacre’ and then demanded Turkey’s protection, i.e. Turkey pursued a deliberate policy of exposing Turkish Cypriots to danger so that they could then use their (exaggerated) plight as proof that Cyprus’ communities could not live together, that Turkish Cypriots were being subjected to ‘genocide’ and that Cyprus had to be partitioned.

Also noteworthy is the fact that Yirmimbesoglou cut his teeth in the Turkish security services helping organise the Constantinople pogrom in 1955, which began with Turkish agents bombing Mustafa Kemal’s childhood home in Thessaloniki, blaming this on Greeks, and false claims that Greeks were massacring Turks in Cyprus, and culminated in a two-day orgy of violence and destruction targeting Constantinople’s Greek community, an event Yirmimbesoglou boasts ‘was a Special Warfare [Department] job. It was a magnificent operation. And it achieved its aim.’

Serj Tankian of "System of a Down": Armenians, Greeks, and Assyrians genocided by Turkey

2010-09-26T02:36:00.000+03:00

source: 'The Huffington Post'
date: 21 September 2010
author: Jon Chattman
title: Serj Tankian Talks Politics and Finds the Art of "Imperfection"

Some band frontmen use their hiatus to shack up in a some faraway villa and take a full-on sabbatical from the studio. Then there's people like Serj Takian, who uses the extended time to feed his creative juices in the form of solo work. The frontman of System of a Down releases Imperfect Harmonies today -- the second solo album since the band took its hiatus some four-plus years ago, and he's quite please with the end result. "It fuses electronic beats and sounds with a full legato orchestra," he explained.

The new album, like his previous effort, Elect the Dead, is also filled with his signature political rage, as well as angst, hope, and everything else in between. And it seems the videos off the new album will follow other Tankian gems in that they're mind-numbingly stunning. Take the video for the first single, "Left of Center," for example, in which a near claymation world gets skewed. I spoke with Tankian recently and asked him about the new album, touring, and how he felt performing in his homeland.

You recently played in your native Armenia. What was that experience like for you?
Playing for the first time in Armenia, my cultural homeland, was one of the most amazing experiences I've had in my career. It was like bringing your music home. The over-the-top reception and excitement usually reserved for bands like the Beatles was a bit unexpected. It was summer time and the taste of apricots did not leave my senses.

Apricots... mmm. How is Imperfect Harmonies different than your first solo effort?
Imperfect Harmonies incorporates quite a different spectrum of sounds than my first solo record, Elect the Dead. It fuses electronic beats and sounds with a full legato orchestra, anchored down by live, rock instrumentation, spiced up with jazz solos and interludes. It's a melancholic, brooding record with an emotionally-layered depth, lyrically, to match the layers of the sounds musically.

Are all the tunes of Imperfect Harmonies geared toward the political spectrum? Or do you have some songs that are about less weighty issues?
Actually, only a few of the songs on this record are overtly political. Most of the songs are theoretical or philosophical explorations dealing with the concept of life beyond civilization. Ecological changes coupled with human reactions, along with personal stories of love and loss dominate the emotional canvas of the record.

Speaking of which, what can you tell us about the BP situation that we haven't heard before?
Well, this is the Huffington Post, so I'm not sure if there is anything you haven't heard or written about on the topic already... (Smiles) I think it's always important to note that regulation in industries that deal with the possibilities of catastrophic natural disasters are crucial. It was BP this time, it could be some other oil or energy company next time.

Another thing I find interesting are BP's roots as a company. BP used to co-own Iran's oil rights along with the Persian oil company. In the 1950s, when the democratically elected prime minister of Iran, Mossadaq, tried to nationalize Iran's oil, it was BP that went to the British gov't and the CIA, who in turn, helped overthrow Mossadaq and replaced him with the Shah to secure foreign rights over Iran's oil.

What do you make of Obama's presidency thus far?
Obama's leadership has helped usher in some significant changes. From the healthcare bill to regulation on industries, to key changes in all levels of government personnel and bodies, to the stimulus package, his leadership has done a tremendous job since taking office. The obstructionist opposition in Congress and industry, naturally polarized to all this change, have done our democracy a disservice by acting to block all forms of progress.

Obama's mistakes are the escalation of the invasion of Afghanistan, and going back on his use of the word Genocide when dealing with the slaughter of Armenians, Greeks, and Assyrians at the hands of the Turks during WWI.

You don't presently have any North American dates on this tour -- can we expect some soon?
Yes. We are in the process of planning a new North American tour to support Imperfect Harmonies.

Can we expect another System of a Down album? I'm sure you get asked this a lot, but as a fan, I have to ask the cliched question.
There are no current plans for a System Of A Down record. The band has been on hiatus since 2006.

What's currently on your iPod? Any Rick Astley?
Wow... I have close to 3000 records on my iPod. No Rick Astley though. (Smiles)

Lastly, where do you want to be musically in seven years?
Well, artistically, I want to try everything the muse brings to my window. I have a musical, Prometheus Bound, opening at the American Repertory Theater in March 2011. I'm writing my 1st classical-jazz symphony for orchestra, releasing my second poetry book, called Glaring Through Oblivion, and have a few other projects including film scoring and a non-fiction book in the works. You could say that my expressional explorations are what get me out of bed in the morning. I'm a big fan of the Huffington Post, so thanks for having me on.

Boxer Places 'Hold' on Bryza Nomination: An Excerpt from a Message by Ken Hachikian, Chairman of the ANCA

2010-09-23T17:41:00.003+03:00

Senator Boxer placed a "hold" on Matt Bryza's confirmation as Ambassador to Azerbaijan . Her stand represents a powerful symbol of how thoughtful Senators and active citizens can ensure that U.S. diplomacy is driven by American values, not special interests.

On Monday of this week The Wall Street Journal was on the offensive, unfairly attacking Senator Boxer for daring to question Bryza's nomination. In a mean-spirited editorial, the Journal bitterly and repeatedly attacked the ANCA's "hard line" opposition to Bryza's deeply flawed nomination. (Well, if "hard line" means fearlessly standing up to anti-Armenian interests, it's a badge we all wear with honor.)

We can't accept is the Journal's insulting our community by demeaning all of us, who believe in Armenian Genocide recognition, as somehow suffering from a "tribal Caucasian obsession."
It's an outrage that the Journal so scornfully smears an entire ethnic group. And for what? The "crime" of honoring the victims of genocide. Disgraceful!

This is a new interview of ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian to Voice of America. He explains that Obama's nomination of Bryza will die when the Senate changes after November and Obama will have to re-nominate the new Ambassador:

ANCA Action Alert: Ask your Senators to Oppose the Bryza Nomination

2010-09-22T13:44:00.001+03:00

Armenian National Committee of America, Action Alert

Ask your Senators to Oppose the Bryza Nomination: Call your Senators TODAY!

On Tuesday, September 21, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is set to vote on Matthew Bryza, President Obama's controversial nominee to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan.

Senator Barbara Boxer, last month, requested a delay in the Committee vote in order to provide Senators with a meaningful opportunity, during the August recess, to examine Mr. Bryza's diplomatic record, conflict of interest issues, and his written responses to Senate inquiries.

Matt Bryza's troubling diplomatic track record, his potential conflict of interest issues, and his recent testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee clearly establish that he is not the right person to advance U.S. interests and America values as Ambassador to Azerbaijan.

Please call on your two U.S. Senators to prevent the confirmation of this deeply flawed nomination.

Simply type in your ZIP Code and you will get an easy-to-use phone script to call your U.S. Senators TODAY. Calling is quick and easy.

You can watch the Bryza confirmation hearing online on the ANCA website:
http://www.anca.org/press_releases/press_releases.php?prid=1913

You can read the ANCA's concerns about the Bryza nomination at:
http://www.anca.org/assets/pdf/misc/BryzaNomination.pdf

Armenian news site: "Greek-Cypriots Oppose Bryza Nomination"

2010-09-21T16:36:00.000+03:00

source: Asbarez.com
date: 13 September 2010

NEW YORK–The Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA) on Monday issued a statement calling on Greek-Cypriot Americans to “strongly oppose” the nomination of Matthew Bryza to the open position of US Ambassador to Azerbaijan. The statement described Bryza as a biased and “unsuitable representative” for the post and urged activists to make their opposition felt through an Armenian National Committee of America Action Alert asking Senators to Oppose the Nomination.

We present the statement below in its entirety:

NEW YORK—On August 3rd, the US Senate Foreign relations Committee chairman John Kerry postponed a committee vote on the nomination of US Ambassador to Azerbaijan designate Matt Bryza in response to a hold over request by Senator Barbara Boxer.

Matt Bryza’s troubling diplomatic record and his conflicts of interest issues in regards to his bias towards Turkey’s cycle of impunity and denial of Turkey’s crimes of Genocide and Turkey’s illegal invasion and occupation of Cyprus makes him an unsuitable representative for America in any post.

The Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA) calls on Greek-Cypriot Americans to strongly oppose the Bryza nomination based on his support of the deeply flawed Annan plan. Based on Turkish-British racist bizonal bicommunal federation, the Annan Plan would have falsely legitimized the illegal Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974, would have allowed the illegal Turkish settlers to remain in homes and properties stolen from Greek-Cypriots by the Turkish military and would have ultimately transformed Cyprus into a Turkish protectorate with British bases, after the eventual forced migration of all Greek-Cypriots and all other indigenous Christian minorities on the island — Latins, Arab Maronites and Armenians.

FACTS ABOUT MATT BRYZA AND THE PRO-TURKISH ANNAN PLAN

At a press conference on July 21, 2006 on his return from a ten day trip to Turkey, Greece and Cyprus, in response to a question on the status of the Annan Plan and whether it’s off the table, he stated: “I would just repeat what I said, that the basic ideas that are—that became known as the Annan Plan reflect wisdom and hard work and a spirit of fairness, I would argue.”

In his July 21, 2006 press conference, Bryza responded to a question from a Turkish reporter from the Anatolia News Agency asking “what does the U.S. government plan to help these people [Turkish Cypriots] end their isolation?”

Mr. Bryza responded “that we have done a number of things….We are providing $30.5 million in assistance…to the Turkish Cypriot community….So we are already actively working to end the isolation of Turkish Cypriots—or to ease the isolation of Turkish Cypriots.”

In a Press Release on the official website of the Turkish Embassy in Washington DC, Matt Bryza is quoted prominently as follows:

““We are constantly thinking about how we can minimize, reduce, eliminate the isolation of our Turkish Cypriot friends. This is not simply because we seek to reward our Turkish Cypriot friends for voting in favor of the Annan Plan, but because we realize that the best way to facilitate a long term settlement is to raise the economic well-being of Turkish Cypriots so that there are not economic disparities between the north and the south.”

Mr. Bryza’s comments are a prime example of his continuing personal lobbying on behalf of Turkey .

Mr. Bryza’s persistent parroting of Turkey’s arguments based on false historical revisionism of Turkey’s crimes of invasion and occupation of Cyprus are a deliberate effort to mislead Washington and Americans overall about the truth regarding Turkey.

Mr. Bryza is married to Zeyno Baran a Turkish-born foreign analyst at the Hudson Institute. Baran is a major producer of Turkish invasion denial propaganda over the years. She and Bryza have documented links and connections to the Turkish government and deep state involved in making Turkish-occupied-Cyprus an illegal base for international narcotics trafficking and terrorism.

Matt Bryza in no way should represent American interests; we encourage the Greek-Cypriot American community and its friends to join the Armenian-American community to stop Bryza.

TAKE ACTION:
Armenian National Committee of America ANCA Action Alert: Ask your Senators to Oppose the Bryza Nomination. Call your Senators TODAY!

Washington Times Carries Cyprus Action Network of America’s Call to Oppose Bryza nomination

2010-09-20T15:39:00.000+03:00

Washington Times Carries Cyprus Action Network of America’s Call to Oppose Bryza nomination
For Immediate Release: September 17, 2010
Contact: Nikolaos Taneris, Tel. (917) 699-9935

WASHINGTON, DC—James Morrison, columnist, Washington Times, made the Cyprus Action Network of America’s recent call to oppose the nomination of Matt Bryza to the post of American ambassador to Azerbaijan the lead of his prominent “Embassy Row” column in the Thursday. September . 16 edition of the Washington Times.

Morrison wrote in his lead paragraphs:

“In the hottest diplomatic dispute facing Congress as it convenes next week, Armenian-Americans are stepping up their campaign to prevent Matthew J. Bryza from serving as U.S. ambassador to Azerbaijan. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is scheduled to consider his nomination on Tuesday. They have picked up support from Cypriot-Americans, who complain that Mr. Bryza, whose wife was born in Turkey, is biased toward Turkish positions on Cyprus.” Morrison also added “The Cyprus Action Network of America on Monday registered its opposition to Mr. Bryza.” And then Morrison quoted extensively from the Cyprus Action Network of America’s statement "Matt Bryza's troubling diplomatic record and his conflict of interest issues in regard to his bias toward Turkey's cycle of impunity and denial of Turkey's crime of genocide and Turkey's illegal invasion and occupation of Cyprus makes him an unsuitable representative in any post," it said in a statement.”

The Washington Times columnist also noted that Mr. Bryza a career US foreign service worker has been criticized for refusing to condemn the Turkish troops illegally occupying Cyprus , and the columnist went on to quote Senator Menendez who, in his written questions, asked Mr. Bryza to "explain why you believe that a U.S. [congressional] resolution recognizing the genocide in Armenia would harm our relationship with Turkey."

Morrison’s “Embassy Row” column is found at:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/sep/16/embassy-row-435598625/

To view the Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA)’s complete statement along with the Greek translation of Greek-Cypriot refugee journalist and researcher Mrs. Fanoulla Argyrou’s letter to the US Senate to oppose the Matt Bryza nomination, please visit the Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA) website at: http://cyprusactionnetwork.org/

Letter to members of the US Senate: Mat Bryza’s pro-Turkish devotion incompatible with human rights principles

2010-09-19T18:25:00.000+03:00

We copy an open letter of veteran journalist, author and researcher Fanoulla Argyrou to the members of the US Senate, regarding the possible nomination of Matthew Bryza. Please distribute this letter to blogs and social networking sites.

Mat Bryza’s pro-Turkish devotion incompatible with human rights principles

Honourable Members of the United States Senate,

We have heard that the US Senate Foreign Relations committee chairman John Kerry, in response to a request by Senator Barbara Boxer, has postponed the committee vote on the nomination of US Ambassador to Azerbaijan designate Matt Bryza.

We welcome this move and hope that enough time will be allowed and enough research will go into the preliminary work needed to establish the suitability or not of Mr. Bryza to this post.

We remember Mr. Bryza very well and his statements during 2006 when he toured our area.

In his July 21, 2006 press conference, Matt Bryza responded to a question from a Turkish reporter from the Anatolia News Agency asking "what does the U.S. Government plan to help these people [Turkish Cypriots] end their isolation?"

Mr. Bryza responded "that we have done a number of things. We are providing $30.5 million in assistance to the Turkish Cypriot community. So we are already actively working to end the isolation of Turkish Cypriots-or to ease the isolation of Turkish Cypriots."

That was an insult to us Greek Cypriots, victims of a brutal Turkish invasion and continued occupation of half of our country Cyprus, a member of the UN and the EU. The Turkish Cypriots are not in any isolation whatsoever. That is a fabricated myth by Turkish propaganda. The Cyprus issue is not “the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots” but the fact that Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974 and still holds under occupation half of a sovereign country.

The majority of Turkish Cypriots supported and welcomed the Turkish invading forces and joined them in their invasion against us the Greek Cypriots. To this day they condone Turkey in her violations of our human rights. It is us the Greek Cypriots who are isolated in that since the Turkish invasion in 1974 for 36 years Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots do not allow us to return to our land and properties. The Turks, Turkish Cypriots and the imported Turkish Anatolian population of settlers (purposely imported by Turkey in order change the demography of the occupied area and fill in the gap she created by the forceful uprooting of us the 200,000 Greek Cypriot refugees) are using however our stolen properties without our permission.

In total violation of our human rightsThe Turkish Cypriots enjoy the benefits of “both worlds”. Unlike us the victims and uprooted Greek Cypriot refugees, are free to travel anywhere in Cyprus, have been issued passports of the Republic of Cyprus, identity cards, they travel thus as citizens of the EU anywhere and their children enter European universities, they enjoy free medical, they come every day to the free part and work and get paid without paying taxes, whereas we the Greek Cypriots have to pay for our health cover [see APPENDIX I]. They are paid pensions, welfare, and all the benefits as citizens of the Republic of Cyprus without paying a penny in taxes and obligations. We the Greek Cypriots have in fact become second class citizens in our own country because it us the Greek Cypriots who subsidise them!

Furthermore Turkey in 1974 has murdered thousands of Greek Cypriots, 1619 are still missing presumed murdered as well and Turkey still does not reveal the whereabouts of these people in order relieve their families of the misery of waiting and dying without knowing what happened to their loved ones.

The Turkish invading army raped well over 800 Greek Cypriot women of all ages. The actual number to be precise reaches 2,000 and the 800 number represents those who had abortions.

At a press conference on July 21, 2006 on his return from a ten day trip to Turkey, Greece and Cyprus, in response to a question on the status of the Annan Plan and whether it's off the table, he stated:

"I would just repeat what I said, that the basic ideas that are-that became known as the Annan Plan reflect wisdom and hard work and a spirit of fairness, I would argue."

The Annan Plan was a monstrosity of the worst kind that provided Turkey 99% of all her demands over Cyprus i.e. giving her the control of the whole island on a platter. (Statement of admission by Turkish veteran journalist M.A. Birand). That plan excluded the 200,000 Greek Cypriots from returning to their homes, was that American “wisdom” and “fairness”? That plan opened Turkey an avenue to turkify the island in only few years after that. The people of Cyprus rejected that plan during the referendum on 24 April 2004. 76% of the Greek Cypriots rejected it and if one separates the vote of the illegal settlers from those of the Turkish Cypriot votes will find that even the indigenous Turkish Cypriots rejected that apartheid solution. Which favoured Turkey and only Turkey.

Mr. Bryza in his July 21 2006 statement found “wisdom” in it, “hard work” and “spirit of fairness”. Well, wisdom and fairness are two things that plan definitely did not reflect. What Mr. Bryza’s statement reflected though was his pro-Turkish stance which relates to his undisputable conflict of interest which stretches to his Turkish contacts. Starting from his Turkish born wife who is a major producer of Turkish invasion denial propaganda over the years.

Mr. Bryza is considered a major asset for Turkey but not for America.

We hope the Senate will use adequate judgement in taking the proper and right decision in respect and protection of the principles of human rights. To protect the victims and not those who offend.

Yours sincerely,

Fanoulla Argyrou
Refugee from occupied Nicosia, Cyprus.
London

APPENDIX I
According to information provided by the Cyprus Press and Information Office of the Republic of Cyprus Christofias Government up until December 2009 had given the Turkish Cypriots 167,28 million Euros! (And that is only from the present Government)

Break down figures:
22,62 million Euros for medical services
117,9 million Euros in social benefits
1,22 million Euros for child benefits and student grants
9,25 million Euros for agricultural purposes
4,35 million Euros for education
4,22 million Euros for electricity supply to the occupied
0,26 million Euros for telecommunications
7,46 million Euros in looking after the Muslim places of worship and houses in the free part of Cyprus, the Turkish language department at the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation and retaining the check points.

Turkish racial policies and the forgotten islamist pogrom of 1955

2010-09-13T18:49:00.001+03:00

source: FrontPage Magazine
date: 24 May 2005
by Alyssa A. Lappen

For 50 years, historians, diplomats and state department officials have touted Mustafa Kemal Ataturk as a great secular leader in a predominantly Muslim region, whose policies modernized and democratized Turkey, shaping it into a Western-style state. But Ataturk was western only insofar as he implemented the Turkification of Gobineau, wherein he substituted the Turks for the Aryans, whose ideology had terrible results in the rise of European Nazism. Regardless, in 1955, barely 17 years after the dictator's death, a little-known pogrom, driven primarily by Islamic fanaticism, targeted the Greek population of Istanbul, with the intent of driving non-Muslims from Turkey.

From 1950 to 1960 Turkey experienced a profound reawakening of Islam, which the government and Demokrat Parti (DP) of Prime Minister Adnan Menderes both exploited and encouraged. Today, the policies Turkey set in motion in that pogrom remain in sw

According to Speros Vryonis Jr.'s landmark new study, The Mechanism of Catastrophe, the September 1955 government-orchestrated pogrom against the Greek Orthodox community “included the systematic destruction of the majority of its churches,” monasteries and cemeteries. Published this month by Greekworks.com, the work subtitled The Turkish Pogrom of September 6-7, 1955, and the Destruction of the Greek Community of Istanbul shows that riots which destroyed 4,500 Greek homes, 3,500 businesses, 90 religious institutions and 36 schools in 45 distinct communities, resulted not only from “fervid chauvinism, or even [from] the economic resentment of many impoverished rioters, but [from] the profound religious fanaticism in many segments of Turkish society.”

American, British and Greek diplomats all agreed that the violence was “indicative of religious fanaticism,” a fact with which even some Turkish commentators concurred.

A towering intellect and scholar of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires, as well as modern Turkey, Vryonis witnessed reactions to the pogrom in 1955, after beginning his dissertation work at Harvard's Byzantine center at Dumbarton Oaks in Washington D.C. Newspapers reported violence targeting the Greek community of Istanbul and suggested the state department was pleased at “how the Turkish government had taken it in hand very quickly and restored order,” Vryonis recalled at a recent New York City lecture to introduce the book. He recoiled at the table talk of British and American scholars at Dumbarton Oaks, expressing the view that the Greeks had gotten what they deserved.

Vryonis questioned how riots could erupt so suddenly and violently as to destroy a whole community. Furthermore, at nearby St. Sophia Cathedral, the Greek archbishop described tens of thousands of people with no homes, no clothes and no food. The diametrically opposite perspectives concerned one and the same event. Vryonis, however, trained in chemistry, physics and Greek and Latin classics, “put it aside. I was not ready. [Studying this] demanded a knowledge of Turkish. It demanded a good knowledge of Islam, it demanded a familiarization with modern Greek history.” Fifty years later, at 76, he has written the definitive work on the events. The work has the power to alter official U.S. positions on Turkey, if only policymakers will read it.

Actually, the discrimination against the Greek, Jewish and Armenian populations of Turkey had begun much earlier, during the First World War. “The attitude towards the minorities was not something new in 1955,” Vryonis says today. “It had a long tradition that was inherited from the Young Turks [who] took over as the Ottoman Empire was faltering, lost the Balkan wars, got in the losing side in the First World War, [perpetrated] the genocide of the Armenians and [moved] the Greeks ... from the area of the Dardanelles at the urging of the German general Otto Liman von Sanders....” who unsuccessfully assumed the Ottomans' defense and ordered the Greeks to be swept away from the Sea of Marmara.

In the 1930s, Ataturk developed racist theories that all history and languages flow from Turkish history and language. Ever since, the Turkish state has “believed that there should be one language, one nation, one culture, one religion,” says Vryonis.

Kemalism effectively established the "Turkification of Gobineau's theory of the racial, and therefore civilizational, superiority of the Aryans."[1] These ideas included the Turkish Historical Thesis (Turk Tarih Tezi) and the Sun Theory of Languages (Gunes Dil Teorisi). The former holds that the history of Turkey as known today doesn't consist merely of Ottoman history, but is much older and in fact dispersed culture to all nations, including the Greek classical nation, the Hittites, the Chinese, the Romans and all European nations. The latter holds that Turkish was the first language ever spoken by humans, and is the foundation for all other languages, be they classical Greek and Latin, Romance languages or even Anglo-Saxon tongues. (What is more astounding are those historians, including Bernard Lewis, who apologize for this supremacist line.) [2]

Although Turkish scholars like Taner Akcam and Fatma Muge Gocek reject these racist theories—still taught in Turkish schools—they founded the basis for discriminatory laws passed against Greeks and other non-Muslims during the 1930s and later. In 1932, for example, law 2007 barred entry to a large number of professions of Greek citizens of Istanbul (etablis).

Under the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne, which provided boundaries for modern Turkey and arranged population transfers between Greece and Turkey, the Greek “settlers” were allowed to stay in Istanbul without prejudice. Nine years later, Turkey violated the treaty with impunity, imposing a series of 31 crippling laws to reduce Greek political, legal, economic and cultural strength. Some 10,000 Greek citizens were deprived of their livelihoods as tailors, merchants, photographers, carpenters, doormen, lawyers, doctors and realtors and forced to emigrate, penniless, to Greece.

In 1941 and under Turkish Prime Minister Sukriu Saracoglu in 1942, the Turkish government and minister of foreign affairs, figuring that the Germans would emerge victorious from World War II, began the mass deportation of minority men aged 18 to 38. The forced labor battalions of the so-called 20 generations of Jews, Greeks and Armenians were meant never again to see the light of day.

Modern Turkey also inherited the religious discrimination against non-Muslims from the Ottoman empire. Thus in 1942, Saracoglu's government established the varlik vergesi, a capital tax so onerous as to impose financial ruin on the community.

“Taxpayers who do not settle their debts within one month from the date of posting of notice will be compelled to labor until they have completely settled their debt, in any part of the country in public services of an unmilitary character or in municipal services, according to their physical ability,” the law required, according to a 1943 report in the New York Times by C. L. Sulzberger. [3]

“Not long after Varlik was applied small numbers of defaulters were arrested and after a few days' detention sent by train to Ashkale in Eastern Anatolia [the Turkish “Siberia”] to work on the roads,” Sulzberger's report continued.

The first groups were those assessed more than 100,000 lira who had paid little or nothing of their indebtedness. The government's position was that no one was taxed more than he could afford to pay, that failure to do so was evidence of unwillingness to pay and that the full penalties of the law must therefore be enforced.

To date not many more than a thousand persons are believed to have been subjected to this drastic penalty. Many of them are wealthy and prominent citizens. Almost entirely they come from the minority Christian and Jewish populations. Their labor on the roads can hardly have been much use, but some of them have managed to scrape up funds and pay and have then been released while the example of the remainder frightens the rest of the minority population as an inducement to pay at all costs. [4]

The tax was set at confiscatory rates—Greek Orthodox at 156 percent of annual income, Jewish at 179 percent, and Armenian at 232 percent—compared to the 4.96 percent annual income tax suffered by Muslim Turks, according to a Times editorial, and applied to everyone, including minority bell hopes and taxi drivers. At least one Turkish newspaper spoke of “liquidation” of the minority mentality and their populations, by inducing them to leave Turkey. [5]

Since these taxes were temporary, Vryonis sees no parallel with the punitive jizya (poll) and karaj (land) taxes on legions of earlier generations of non-Muslim dhimmis. To this observer, however, the laws, their intent and result strongly resemble the ruinous jizya and karaj taxes. Like them, the varlik vergesi effectively deprived the community of its wealth, imposing severe penalties if Greek and other non-Muslim citizens did not pay within fifteen days of its promulgation. In the end, massive numbers of minority property and businesses were transferred to Muslim hands, much as khalifs in earlier eras had expropriated them, forcing non-Muslims often to convert to Islam to survive.

Not surprisingly, between 1924 and 1934, Istanbul's Greek population fell by two thirds, from nearly 300,000 to 111,200, according to Vryonis. By 1955, the number of Greeks had dropped another 24 percent, to 85,000. “This is by way of background, by way of ideology, by way of the nature of the Turkish state, which we should add remained military and dictatorial,” he says.

In 1954, the matter of Cyprus became entwined with the fate of Istanbul's Greek minority. That year, Turkish foreign minister Mehmet Fuat Koprulu declared that his government had no interest whatever in the outcome of a Greek plea to the international community for Cypriot independence. But within a matter of months, at the prompting of the British government (which then controlled Cyprus), Prime Minister Menderes ousted Koprulu, installed foreign minister Fatin Rustu Zorlu in his place, and turned a 180 degree about-face on the issue. The armed campaign against Britain by the Greek National Organization of Cypriot Fighters elicited howls of indignation from the Turkish press, which joined the battle cry of the Cyprus is Turkish Association, known as KTC for its Turkish acronym.

Eventually, KTC and its press cohorts shifted public attention from the Greek Cypriots to the Greeks of Istanbul. But it was up to the DP and the government to organize the roughly 100,000 necessary students, labor unionists and other rioters and transport them to Istanbul to destroy, in a matter of nine hours, the homes and businesses of 85,000 Greeks scattered through 45 hilly square kilometers in areas hard to access from one another. The pogromists came equipped with lists of Greek addresses to target, though the Armenian and Jewish communities were also hit. Armenians lost 1,000 stores, 150 homes, three churches and four schools, while Jewish residents lost 500 shops, 25 homes, and suffered damage to one synagogue.

All the evidence is that the 1955 pogrom was well organized. “We have independent accounts of Turkish newspapers, of the Greek consulate official, and this is very important, of American[s], that there were [three] systematic waves of destroyers,” says Vryonis.

The first wave—identified by the Turkish newspaper Milliyet and confirmed by the foreign press and Greek officials—destroyed metal doors and barriers to all churches, houses and businesses. They smashed all obstacles to entry. The second wave commenced pilfering and the pillaging. Those who had foresight came with trucks so as to systematically loot and carry off their booty. “But the basic job of the second wave was to begin the destruction of the houses, the apartments, the church, the stores, and then to move on, just as the first wave moved on very quickly,” says Vryonis, as did the second. The third came some time later to finish off the marauding.

“Greek businesses were pilfered or destroyed,” says Vryonis. “Stealing of food stuffs and destruction of grocery stores and the food industry was rife, and thereafter produced a food shortage in Istanbul. The price of eggs rose 6 times, while tobacco rose 20 percent. Most bakeries were utterly destroyed. People had to wait in line even for a piece of bread. In the houses, food was looted or else destroyed by pouring gasoline. Houses were no longer habitable. People had nothing to eat and no where to sleep. Mattresses were literally cut into shreds.”

British and American officials, to the extent that they expressed opinions, generally attributed the pogrom to two factors: “simultaneous self-erupted nationalist and economic motivations.” Certainly, notes Vryonis, there were elements of nationalism, a force in Turkey since Ataturk. As to economic resentment, the living standard of Asia Minor peasants compared to that of Istanbul minorities like night to day. But pogromists came well-equipped with pickaxes, shovels, wooden timbers to serve as battering rams, acetylene torches, gasoline, dynamite and large trucks full of stones. How could a spontaneous eruption occur when security people, secret police, municipal police and the armed services were everywhere?

The third factor (unmentioned by officials), and the genuine underlying cause, Vryonis notes, was religious fanaticism. He continues:

The churches suffered massive destruction.... Most of the reports denied that there was any religious fanaticism. An interesting thing about the American ambassador's report, Mr. [Avra] Warren. It was made up of disjointed reports of several other diplomatic servants in Istanbul who saw what happened. [Warren was in Ankara.] In Ankara, there were a few demonstrations, but there were no Greeks there. He didn't see it. And he said there was no evidence of religious fanaticism—if you [except] 70 Greek churches that were destroyed.

...I couldn't make heads or tales of that. So I decided that this was a scissors and paste report, because earlier he talks about the disgusting and beastly manner in which religious sanctuaries were desecrated. Desecrated is a purely religious term. It involves the violation of that which belongs to divinity, and pollution is a refinement of it. It means despoiling that which is sacred, and the soiling in this case was urination and defecation—defecation on the alters, urination in the communion cups..... [We] had several independent accounts of the destruction of the huge cemetery at Sisli, where they not only took the time to destroy it, but took the corpses out from mausoleums, and also desecrated them, and left in a very large number [of cases], defecation on each of these remains.

So if you look at the church cannons, ...you are violating God's property. Now what is God's property? ...That which has been consecrated by religious ceremony. You can have a building that is going to be a church, but until the liturgy is performed in it, until it is consecrated, it is not sacred. Before an icon is consecrated in any manner, it is just a picture, if you don't like it you can rip it up. The same with the sacred vestments, but once they enter into the liturgical ritual, these things are forbidden, they belong to God. And if you take in all these aspects, if you look at all the photographs, the piercing and removing of the eyes of Christ, the cutting and removing of His hands, by which He hangs on the crucifix which is a constant in the Constantinoplitan church, if you look at mockery, the mockery of putting priests' sacred garb on their donkeys, and the use of the metallic elements on their garbage collectors, the fanaticism is very important, and it coincides with the rise of Islam.

Of course, the government was involved, says Vryonis, as the 1960 and 1961 trials at Yassiada proved in their brief consideration of the matter. Contemporary newspaper and eyewitness reports (which the book provides) also describe government assistance given to pogromists during the riots as their organizers shouted “Cleanse the fatherland of the infidel!” and “We do not want infidels' merchandise in our country.” Official vehicles also transported the pogromists after they had finished their grisly work.

But while Menderes and several of his ministers were hung, they lost their lives for violating Turkey's constitution, not the destruction they wrought on its Greek and other non-Muslim citizens. For these crimes, not a single man was punished, according to Vryonis.

The Islamization set in motion via discriminatory laws and violence, before and during the pogrom, has continued ever since, with constant pressure on the non-Muslim communities. Having lost everything, the Greek community began to emigrate. In 1964, the Turkish junta forced a very large number to leave or turn over their businesses to Turks within a certain number of hours, says Vryonis. They were taxed, though they were leaving, and their accounts were blocked. Furthermore, intermarriage between Greek citizens and Turkish Greeks was taxed when all marital property was decreed to belong to the “settlers” —making it easier to confiscate.

Today, the Greek residents of Turkey, mostly in Istanbul, number only about 1,800, according to Vryonis, and property rights continue to be so much a concern that the European Union is pressuring Turkey to implement legal changes. Of course, these are cosmetic at best.

"The society has already declared that the identity of Turkey is Islamic,” explains Vryonis. M. Hakan Yavuz discusses the situation in Islamic Political Identity in Turkey. The state apparatus tried to enforce Kemalism, limiting the power of Islam, albeit not insofar as minorities are concerned. “But the Turkish version of Islam is undergoing a revitalization which has successfully challenged [secularism],” says Vryonis. “Most of the provincial universities, for some time, have had major student organizations that are Islamic, that are not recognized by the authorities, but the authorities in the provinces are often Islamists.”

Indeed, the majority of Turks are believing Muslims, a factor that emerged after the 1994 elections, when the Islamist Welfare Party won landslides in the mayoral elections in Asia Minor. Vryonis questions how the military can continue to bar Islamists from entering the officer corps. “It may be that has already happened,” he adds, “the dam has already broken and we don't know. Once that happens the show is over.”

This matters, since the U.S. has armed Turkey so mightily. It has “the largest military establishment in the Middle East, Africa and Western and Northern Europe,” Vryonis says. “They have a big advantage when it comes to the buildup of tanks, jets, and this involves updating the armaments in Cyprus. The question is into what hands will all of this fall?”

The answer was perhaps previewed in 2003 when the Turkish government refused to allow the disembarkment of 62,000 American troops to open a front in northern Iraq. In Iran, Vryonis points out, U.S. weapons fell into the hands of the Khomeiniites when the Shah fell.

As to whether Kemalists are inherently all Muslims, Vryonis cannot assess the psychology of each person. “But if you look at the example in Iran, they executed the chiefs of Savak, and told the other ones to stay ...and watch what they were doing.” Within the Turkish government, he says, groups are said to have split, some working closely with Russia, others with China, and still others focusing on the European Union.

A final issue concerns the Islamic army itself, Vryonis says. “[It] is not a homogeneous entity. [Islamists] tend to win elections by attracting people who are dissatisfied with this or that or the other,” says Vryonis. Even Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, “in order to survive, wears about 4 or 5 or 6 masks. One is for the European Union, one is for Greece, and that changes, another is over the Israeli Palestinian issue another is for the military.... The state department never solved these problems.” But clearly, Vryonis says, Islamists “want a powerful Turkey and they want it to be more powerful than it is now.”

The lesson to be taken from the 1955 pogrom is that little, if anything, has actually changed in Turkey.

NOTES

[1] Vryonis Jr., Speros, The Turkish State in History: Clio Meets the Grey Wolf (1993 ed), p. 67.

[2] Vryonis Jr. Speros, The Turkish State in History, pp. 57-78.

[3] Sulzberger, C.L., “Ankara tax raises diplomatic issues,” New York Times, Sept. 12, 1943, p. 46.

[4] Ibid.

[5] “The Turkish minorities,” New York Times, Sept. 17, 1943. p. 20.

Alyssa A. Lappen is a former Senior Fellow of the American Center for Democracy, former Senior Editor of Institutional Investor, Working Woman and Corporate Finance, and former Associate Editor of Forbes. Her website is www.AlyssaaLappen.org.

An article by Shlomo Avineri right after the rejection of the Annan Plan by Greek Cypriots in April 2004

2010-09-09T23:08:00.001+03:00

From Fanoulla Argyrou's archives, an article by Professor Shlomo Avineri, written in 2004, right after the rejection of the Annan Plan by the Greek Cypriots. As Mrs Argyrou noted, Professor Avineri was one of the very very few foreign writers to explain to the world why we the Greek Cypriots were justified in rejecting the "Annan Plan". And said that "... In a united Europe, Greek Cypriots would not have freedom of movement in their own country - they would be ghettoed"..

article in "Financial Times"
28 April, 2004
by Shlomo Avineri

The Greek Cypriots' overwhelming rejection of the United Nations plan for the reunification of Cyprus should not come as a surprise. In the international media, the plan by Kofi Annan, UN secretary-general, had been presented as a fair-minded and well-intentioned compromise. The Greek Cypriots would regain some territory and a "Swiss-like federation" would reunify the island.

But this is not the way it looked to most Greek Cypriots in the south. To them it appeared that the UN and the European Union were bent on legitimising at least some of the consequences of the Turkish invasion of 1974, because the EU wanted to take the Cyprus issue off the table in order to facilitate negotiations on Turkey's accession to the EU.

Although the Annan plan in its various versions - the last one filled 9,000 pages - has not been fully translated into either Greek or Turkish, most of its outlines were, of course, known. But while outside observers focused mostly on the territorial and constitutional aspects suggested by the plan, for most Greek Cypriots the plan not only failed to answer their concerns but also seemed to be contrary to both UN and EU norms and values.

While some Turkish-occupied territory would be returned to Greek Cypriot rule, the contours of the Turkish Cypriot region would still reflect the outcome of Turkey's military invasion of 1974. Only half of the 200,000 Greek Cypriot refugees uprooted by the Turkish invasion would be able to return to their former homes. The rest would not be able to return, or be entitled to adequate compensation.

Most of the Anatolian Turks who have been settled in the north by the Turkish occupation authorities would remain. Turkish forces would also stay in the north until Turkish accession to the EU - an arrangement the Greek Cypriots would consider an infringement of their sovereignty. The UN and the EU, which, justly, oppose the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Jewish settlements in the occupied territories, appeared to reward Turkish occupiers and settlers in the Cyprus case.

Last but not least, Greek Cypriots would not be able to move freely or settle in the Turkish north. This last prohibition rattled Greek Cypriots most because it meant that in a united Europe, where every EU citizen would be more or less free to take up residence and work in the Turkish part of Cyprus, Greek Cypriots would not have freedom of movement in their own country. In a way, the Greek Cypriots would have been ghettoised.

The failure to win approval for the Annan plan has wider ramifications. It shows that there are limits to what massive international pressure can accomplish when at least one of the participants in a dispute feels that its concerns have not been adequately dealt with.

Even well-intentioned plans cannot be first worked out by outside powers and then rammed down the throats of recalcitrant parties, whether in Cyprus or Bosnia, Kosovo or Kashmir, or in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. When there is no local political will, outside pressure is not strong enough to achieve a workable solution. In such cases, conflict management is preferable to unrealistic outside schemes for conflict resolution.

The Greek part of Cyprus will enter the EU on May 1 under difficult conditions. Much wisdom and restraint will now be needed from both the EU and the Greek Cypriots. The EU, while obviously disappointed, should respect the sovereign will of the Greek Cypriot majority. The referendum, after all, was suggested by the international community and the EU expressed willingness to accept the Greek part of Cyprus even if reunification was not achieved by the accession date. To be vindictive now against the new member - Cyprus, albeit truncated - would be a political mistake and a moral failure on the part of the EU.

As for the Greek Cypriots, they should be careful not to translate their decision into triumphalism. Specifically, they should not view their successful accession to the EU as a licence for trying to bar EU negotiations with Turkey about future membership. On the contrary, like the Greek government, they should now advocate and support EU membership for Turkey.

This would be not only be magnanimous and politically astute, it might also be the only way towards a united Cyprus in the future, under conditions more acceptable to the Greek Cypriots and more in tune with international norms and values.

Shlomo Avineri: Turkey's frontline foreign policy

2010-09-09T00:56:00.001+03:00

Journalist Fanoulla Argyrou comments: I would be grateful if you would kindly circulate the following comment to all those who received the article below. A very good analysis of Turkish intentions by Professor Avineri, as always. Back in April 2004 Professor Shlomo Avineri published an article in the Financial Times in London (on 28th April 2004 to be exact) titled "Realities behind the failure over Cyprus". He was one of the very very few foreign writers to explain to the world why we the Greek Cypriots were justified in rejecting the "Annan Plan". And said that "... In a united Europe, Greek Cypriots would not have freedom of movement in their own country - they would be ghettoed"...

by Shlomo Avineri, Professor of Political Science at Hebrew University, Director-General of Israel's Foreign Ministry in the first cabinet of Yitzhak Rabin
article in "In Depth", Volume 7, Issue. 4
Cyprus Center for European and International Affairs, University of Nicosia

A few months before he became Turkey’s foreign minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, then Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s chief adviser, met with a group of Middle Eastern academics and policy experts, including Arabs and Israelis. With his academic background and immense erudition, he succeeded in painting, on a wide canvass, the new directions of Turkey’s policies under the Justice and Development Party (AKP) leadership.

By then, it had become clear that Turkey’s road to the European Union had been closed, somewhat rudely, owing mainly to combined German and French pressure. But those who expected Islamist fire and brimstone from Davutoglu were deeply disappointed.

What was articulated was a levelheaded and sophisticated exposé, seldom heard from policymakers: it was thoughtful, honest, and breath-taking. It was also a clear departure from the conventional foreign-policy straightjacket devised by Kemal Ataturk, which had for decades forced Turkish diplomacy into the Procrustean bed of 1920’s-style integral nationalism.

Davutoglu began conventionally, declaring that Turkey’s geopolitical situation would always dictate the country’s foreign policy. Then came the bombshell: contrary to the conventional Kemalist view of the One and Indivisible Turkish Nation, Davutoglu referred to what everyone has known since modern Turkey was created: the country has more Azeris than Azerbaijan, more people of Albanian origin than live in Albania, more people of Bosniak origin than live in Bosnia, and more Kurds than in Iraqi Kurdistan.

This reality, Davutoglu maintained, means that violence and instability in Turkey’s immediate neighborhood threatens to spill into Turkey itself, and regional external conflicts can easily become internally disruptive. Hence the credo of Turkish foreign policy should be “zero conflicts with our neighbors and in our neighborhood.”

This, he explained, was the reason that Turkey was trying to find an accommodation with Armenia. It justified Turkey’s policy vis-à-vis the Kurdish Regional Government in Northern Iraq, its involvement in Bosnia and in Kosovo, its rapprochement with Syria, and also its attempt to mediate between Syria and Israel.

Turkey, he argued, is neither pro-Israeli nor pro-Syrian: it seeks an Israeli-Syrian accommodation in order to add another building block to regional stability. All these steps are taken by the AKP government because it is in Turkey’s interest, given not only its geopolitical position, but also its unique multi-ethnic structure (he didn’t use that terminology, though the implication was clear).

Since then (Davutoglu became Foreign Minister in May 2009), much of what Turkey has done can be explained as being in line with this “zero conflicts” theory, including a slightly more nuanced policy on the Cyprus issue. Yet recent developments suggest that, if this policy is pushed to its limits, it stumbles on its own premises.

One can well understand a Turkish policy of trying to defuse tensions with Iran over that country’s nuclear program. But the joint Iranian-Brazilian-Turkish initiative goes beyond such a policy.

Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva may have stepped on a hornets’ nest, owing to his unfamiliarity with regional policies and his general anti-Yanqui sentiments. Erdogan must have known that, by trying in this way to shield Iran, he is opening a wider chasm with the EU – and obviously with the United States. Opposing new sanctions against Iran in the Security Council further alienated Turkey from both the EU and the US. This does not sit well with a “zero conflict” policy.

The same can be said about the shrill tone that Turkey, and Erdogan himself, has recently adopted vis-à-vis Israel. Walking off the stage at Davos during a round-table debate with Israel’s President Shimon Peres might have gained Erdogan points in the Arab world, which has historically viewed Turkey with the suspicion owed to the old imperial ruler. But the vehemence with which he lashed out at Israel during the Gaza flotilla crisis obviously went far beyond (justified) support for beleaguered Palestinians and (equally justified) criticism of the messy way in which Israel dealt with an obviously difficult situation.

While gaining support on the so-called Arab street, and perhaps upstaging Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad in the role of a modern Commander-of-the-Faithful, Erdogan’s policy and behavior have shocked not only Israelis, but also moderate Arab leaders in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and some of the Gulf states.

For many years, the AKP appeared to many in the region and elsewhere as a model for a democratic party with Islamic roots. But by supporting Hamas, Erdogan has allied Turkey with the most disruptive and extremist fundamentalist force in the Muslim Arab world – an organization that has its origins in the Muslim Brotherhood, the arch-enemy of all Arab regimes in the region (including, of course, Syria).

Since Erdogan is a critic of Israel, Arab rulers cannot say this openly. But Arab governments – and their security services – are beginning to ask themselves whether Turkey’s policies will undermine whatever internal stability their states possess.

This is the exact opposite of a genuine “zero conflict” policy that aims to minimize tensions and enhance stability. Turkey now finds itself, through its alliance with Iran and support for Hamas, rushing headlong into a series of conflicts – with Europe, the US, Israel, and moderate Arab regimes that have survived Iranian Shia fundamentalism but may now feel threatened by a neo-Ottoman Sunni foreign policy.

Turkey is thus emerging not as a regional mediator, equidistant from contending local players, but as an assertive, if not aggressive, regional power aiming for hegemony. Far from avoiding conflicts and mediating existing tensions, Turkey under the AKP appears intent on stoking new conflicts and creating new frontlines.

Turkish fascists outside the Turkish Embassy in Washington give Nazi salutes to Greek, Jewish and Armenian demonstrators!

2010-07-26T06:09:00.002+03:00

The Turks have shown their real selves again. An anti-demonstration that was set up against the demonstration of the Greek-Cypriots against the illegal invasion and occupation, Turkish demonstrations, with the official approval, as it seems, of the Turkish Embassy itself.

These people, as you will see in the videos, have given Nazi salutes to the demonstrators, which included Greeks, Armenians and Jews, amongst others.

See and distribute this information and videos. Turkish mentality at its best.

The news have already been circulated by large blogs and news sites such as:

http://europenews.dk/en/node/33976
http://israelmatzav.blogspot.com/2010/07/july-20-2010-tisha-bav-turkish.html
http://thesilentmajority.wordpress.com/2010/07/21/greek-cypriot-americans-demonstrate-at-turkish-embassy-dcon-36th-anniv-turkish-invasion-of-cyprus/
http://gatesofvienna.blogspot.com/2010/07/sieg-heil-at-turkish-embassy.html
http://www.greekrealm.com/forum/greek-diaspora/15519-turkish-embassy-hitler-salute-july-20-2010-a.htm
http://tundratabloid.blogspot.com/2010/07/turk-embassy-supporter-gives-hitler.html

TURKISH EMBASSY HITLER SALUTE ON JULY 20, 2010
For Immediate Release: July 21, 2010
Contact: Nikolaos Taneris, New York, Tel (917) 699-9935

NEW YORK—The Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA) demonstrated against the Turkish Embassy in Washington DC on July 20th, 2010 for the entire business day, to mark the 36-year anniversary of the illegal Turkish invasion of Cyprus that began on July 20, 1974. Greek-Cypriot demonstrators from the DC area and from as far away as Florida and New York participated. The Greek-Cypriot demonstration was helped by Armenian community supporters, (whose people are an integral part of Cyprus ) and suffer from the ongoing illegal Turkish-military-occupation, and by pro-Israel activists. The Greek-Cypriot demonstration applauded American celebrity Jennifer Lopez’s “NO” to Turkish terrorism. Protest slogans emphasized the Turkish Crimes against the Greek-Cypriot people and the brutality of the illegal Turkish invasion, and ongoing illegal Turkish military-occupation.

Many diplomats and journalists took pictures and videos of the demonstration, and diplomatic staff from the nearby Embassies of India, Japan and South Korea voiced their admiration of our commitment to justice and human rights by asking for our flyers and information about the Turkish Crimes committed in Cyprus.

Günay Evinch and the Turkish Embassy Hitler Youth
A counter demonstration was staged and closely supervised by Gunay Evinch, of the law firm Evinch and Saltzman. Gunay Evinch is widely acknowledged as “the lawyer of the Turkish Embassy.” Gunay Evinch has defended Turkey from American lawsuits by Greek-Cypriot Americans, he is the President of the Turkish Lobby. Gunay Evinch is a promoter of Armenian genocide denial within the United States and the source of Turkish invasion of Cyprus denial propaganda for Turkey in America.

The main speaker for the Turkish Embassy counter demonstrators (who was witnessed as receiving help and consulted with Gunay Evinch) repeatedly made the Hitler salute and shouted “Heil Hitler” towards pro-Israel activists and the Greek-Cypriot community. The Turkish Embassy staff also participated and helped GUNAY EVINCH AND THE TURKISH EMBASSY HITLER YOUTH who also barked out to the Greek-Cypriot community "Turkish soldiers raped your mothers" and further committed hate crimes against women by making obscene gestures with his genitalia and his megaphone. The Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA) will be releasing the pictures and videos of GUNAY EVINCH and his Turkish Hitler Youth making the Hitler salute to Jewish Anti-Semitism watch groups and to the Israeli and German government which monitors such hate speech and hate gestures and enforces heavy criminal penalities for glorifying Hitler:

PLEASE DISTRIBUTE THE FOLLOWING YOUTUBES AND PICTURE WIDELY:

You Tube: TURKISH EMBASSY HITLER SALUTE ON JULY 20, 2010 (Look for Gunay Evinch in the background)

You Tube: TURKISH EMBASSY CELEBRATES RAPES OF GREEK-CYPRIOT WOMEN (Look for Gunay Evinch in the background)

You Tube: TURKISH EMBASSY GENITALIA GESTURES (Look for Gunay Evinch in the back ground)

The videos of the Turkish Embassy Hitler Salute should not at all be suprsing, the Hitler book “Mein Kampf” is a runaway bestseller in Turkey, and Turkey has strong ties with anti-Semitic terrorist organizations such as Hamas (classified by the US government as a terrorist organization) The wildly popular anti-Semtic “Valley of the Wolves” movie and television series in Turkey falsely claims that Jews and Americans “harvest organs” from Muslims in Iraq.

HI RESOLUTION PICTURE OF GUNAY EVINCH DIRECTING HIS TURKISH EMBASSY HITLER YOUTH

Jewish-American writer and political commentator Daniel Pipes (who has been in communication with CANA) published a fascinating and commendable Op-Ed on July 20, 2010 in the Washington Times about the Turkish invasion of “Greek land” in Cyprus, and the Jennifer Lopez cancellation of her performance in Turkish-Occupied Cyprus. We republish it below.

In remembrance of July 20th the Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA) salutes all defenders of human rights, and the struggle and resilence of the survivor people of the nation of Israel and the survivor Greek-Cypriot people.

Damien McElroy's contradictions on Cyprus - What does Telegraph say about it?

2010-07-25T17:17:00.000+03:00

Here is a letter by Mr. Phoebus Sparos, exposing the contradictions of Damien McElroy. We ask, what does Telegraph say about this? You can ask the Telegraph and Mr. McElroy himself the same questions. Please make sure you send your copy, undersigned with your name, telephone number and address (they will remain confidential), to dtletters@telegraph.co.uk and telegrapheditorial@telegraph.co.uk. Remember to be polite and respectful.

Dear Sir,

In response to your report of 23 July 2010 titled “Northern Cyprus plans to become Mediterranean 'Las Vegas'” by Damien McElroy I would like to comment as follows:

Dear Mr. McElroy

Thank you for not using Girne for Kyrenia but I am afraid the rest of your article is a disgrace to journalism. It reminded me of another article you wrote back on 29 Dec 2009 (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/cyprus/6901089/Cyprus-peace-talks-Greek-and-Turkish-leaders-turn-to-kitchen-table-diplomacy.html).

Then you wrote:

“Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when the Turkish army invaded after a Greek-backed coup.”

Now you write:

“In 1974, the Turkish army drove all Greeks from towns and villages across the northern half of the island in a sudden strike precipitated by pogroms against the local Turks.”

So, what caused the Turkish invasion? The coup or the “pogroms”? Or are you going to say both? Of course the biggest worry is that in both cases, no matter what you say you present Turkey’s invasion as a more or less justified act. If you want to know about real facts read “Bloody Truth”; you can download it from http://www.freedomjustice.com.cy/. It is based on declassified documents of your very majesty’s government.

“Even if there was not a single Muslim Turk there [i.e. Cyprus], Turkey ought to maintain a Cyprus Issue. No country can remain indifferent to such an island which is situated in the heart of her vital space.” (“Strategic Depth, A. Davutoglu, Greek Translation p.279).

In case you do not remember, Davutoglu is now the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey and the theoretician of the Neo-Ottomans.

Pogroms against the local Turks?

WHEN THE Cypriot Turk teacher Sevim Uflet found herself face to face with Denktash, in the full of dead and wounded, clinic of Dalbatoglu in 1958 (she was herself mourning her brother Ulus Uflet, who had just unwillingly blasted himself in Kaimakli with the bomb he was making and intending against the Greeks), she said to Denktash:

“For God' s sake, give an order to finally stop all these killings”. He answered: “These dead are useful. With these we will make our voice heard in the world.” (A.H. Tachsin: “Denktash' rise to the top” pub. Diaphaneia, p.51).

“A tense standoff between the Parachute Regiment and Turkish tanks on one of Britain's sovereign bases is still the closest two Nato nations have been to war” you say. Are you trying to tell us that it is your “Parachute Regiment” that stops the Turkish tanks? I am afraid that your country, your various governments rather, has done a lot more than that but all in the opposite direction, i.e. making sure that Turkey gets what she wants. It is a cliché but is true “divide and rule”, applied masterfully by your majesty’s many governments.

I stop here, respecting the availability of space in your paper and my time. Otherwise, I could right several pages exposing your “inaccuracies”, which I believe are expressly designed to push a certain point of view. Just, please avoid expressions like “southern part” when you know it is the free or unoccupied part. As you should also know, there is but one Cyprus part of which is occupied, i.e. what you referred to as “Northern Cyprus”.

Phoebus Sparos

Reply to the Telegraph's Damien McElroy's lies about "pogroms against Turkish-Cypriots"

2010-07-24T05:47:00.002+03:00

We copy here the letter sent to the British newspaper 'Telegraph' and journalist Damien Mc Elroy by the Efylakas.com Editorial Team. As you will read yourselves, McElroy's blatant lies are just to much to swallow.

Nevermind him referring to the military occupied part of Cyprus as if it is a legal entity, forgetting completely about the ethnocide of the Greek-Cypriots, he even makes the false assertion (without providing ANY evidence whatsoever) that the Greek-Cypriots have carried out "pogroms" against Turkish-Cypriots, when in fact the opposite happenned! Mr McElroy, with 200,000 Greek-Cypriot refugees until this day, 37% of the land occupied and people still missing and unaccounted for, its not the Greek-Cypriots who carried the pogroms, its the Turkish state!

The Efylakas article can serve as an excellent template for you to add your own arguments.

Please make sure you send your copy, undersigned with your name, telephone number and address (they will remain confidential), to dtletters@telegraph.co.uk and telegrapheditorial@telegraph.co.uk. Remember to be polite and respectful.

P.S. - Mr. Damien McElroy seems to be writing from and based "in Keryneia". With what legal status exactly is this gentleman writing from an illegally occupied EU territory? What is this British citizen (?) doing by working and writing from an area that the government of the UK does not recognize?

For publication - "Right of Reply"The Editor: 'The Daily Telegraph' and Mr. Damien McElroy

July 24, 2010

Dear Sir,

Our news site (efylakas.com) is being read by hundreds of Greeks and Greek-Cypriots everyday. In those readers there there are also members of the enormous Hellenic Diaspora in Britain, where Greeks and Greek-Cypriots live assimmilated and in peace and contribute economically, spiritually, socially and culturally, with respect their host country and British ethics and traditions. With this letter, we believe that we represent the views of a large majority of those readers.

We outreach to you as people who take great pride and have tremendous passion in human rights, dignity, and respect to justice and the common European values of democracy and the rule of law, and as such we respectfully request that you take into consideration our objectios regading an article of yours on Cyprus, and therefore publishing our letter.

We refer to your report of 20th July 2010 (anniversary of the illegal Turkish invasion) titled “Northern Cyprus plans to become Mediterranean 'Las Vegas'” by Damien McElroy and wish to comment as follows:

1. There is no “Turkish enclave” in Cyprus, but part of the Republic of Cyprus under Turkish illegal military invasion and occupation since 1974. The Republic of Cyprus is the only recognized legal entity on the island of Cyprus.

2. The “Cratos Hotel” you are referring to has been illegally built on stolen land in the occupied village of Kazafani in the Kyrenia district. The land rightfully belongs to the Church of Cyprus, and has been taken away by violence in the summer of 1974.

3. A UN embargo forbidding recognition of the occupied regime is confirmed by Security Council Resolutions 541 (1983) and 550 (1984) because it is the outcome of a brutal and illegal invasion and continued occupation and there is no question of it being recognised. It is sustained by the presence of approximately 45,000 mainland Turkish military forces, and there has been at least 160,000 illegal Turkish settlers (brought in mainly by the Anatolian regon of mainland Turkey), which constitutes a war crime, as confirmed by International Law and European court decisions.

4. There is no hope of so called independent future for the occupied area. The area under question is stolen from the 200,000 Greek Cypriot refugees forced by the Turkish invading army to abandon their properties at gunpoint back in 1974, and to this day not allowed to return and use their property.

5. You cannot call “sharing” the abandonment of your stolen property and half of your country. Stolen land and properties have to be returned to their rightful and legal title deed owners. What the Turks are asking the Greek-Cypriots in an unprecedented audacity is to hand them over their stolen properties! Mr McElroy, we ask you: Would you give your house's title deed away to the first thief that forces you out of it?

6. This is an enormous lie that can't possibly be corroborated by any evidence. There were no pogroms against the Turkish Cypriots in 1974. In fact, the British Labour government of Harold Wilson and Turkish PM Bulent Ecevit literally conspired (and declassified Foreign Office documents prove this) to let Turkey invade the island and fulfill a long awaited Turkish-British plan to divide the island. That was finally agreed during their meeting in London on 17th July 1974. Furthermore, the British High Commissioner in Cyprus, Sir Olver and the then Turkish Ambassador in Nicosia confirmed in writing (British Foreign Office released documents refer) that NOT A SINGLE TURK was harmed by the Greek short lived coup which ONLY affected the Greeks and not the Turks. The only "evidence" of attacks against Turkish-Cypriots happenned at the villages of Aloa and Santalari which happenned by terrorists of EOKA-B' which was against the Makarios government, and even that happenned during the invasion, while Turkey was ethnically cleansing the north of Cyprus by 200,000 Greek-Cypriots, and not before the invasion happenned as Mr. McElroy falsily says! We demand that Mr McElroy produces any evidence he has that the Greek-Cypriots conducted organized "pogroms" against Turkish-Cypriots, or else he will prove that he is not a very objective journalist.

7. The 5,000 Britons who have bought properties in the occupied that belong to Greek-Cypriot refugees have done wrong and violated human rights and international law in dealing with stolen properties and will have to bear the consequences.

8. As for Mr. Day, former Conservative MP, living in the occupied area of Cyprus he has no right whatsoever to speak on the matter, the colonial jurisdiction over Cyprus has ended many years ago. Britain, the government of which is currently run by a Conservative-Liberal coalition, does not recognized the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus as a "state". What is, therefore, Mr. Day really doing out there, and does he represent British interests and the sacred British values of rule of law and democracy in this way?

Thank you.

With all due respect,

Editorial Team / efylakas.com
Telephone number: +442034114439

Original article follows:

Source: Telegraph, 20 July 2010

Damian McElroy

The Turkish enclave of Cyprus has announced proposals for a series of glamorous new resorts and shopping arcades in a move which risks straining relations with the south.

Details were revealed by a new hardline leadership in the north as it prepared to mark the 36th anniversary of the Turkish invasion today.

The centrepiece of events to mark "Peace and Freedom Day" will be the opening of a £150 million hotel and casino complex by President Dervis Eroglu.
The Cratos Premium resort ignited worldwide controversy after booking Jennifer Lopez to perform at its launch. The American singer was forced to pull out after receiving thousands of emails from Greek Cypriot exiles, condemning her for violating a UN embargo.

The plans for the resorts are being seen as evidence of a change of outlook towards an independent future.

The wave of investment has outraged Greek Cypriots who view any development in the north as a blow to attempts to isolate the enclave, which is only recognised by Turkey. The influx of businessmen and tourists reduces pressure on the North for reunification by boosting the revenues and credibility of the renegade government.

President Eroglu, 72, has disavowed his predecessors' enthusiasm for reunification since he elected in April.

He has continued face-to-face meetings with President Dimitris Christofias, the Greek Cypriot leader, but warned that time was running out.

"The Greek Cypriots don't like sharing," he told The Daily Telegraph. "This is the last chance. Negotiations have been continuing for many years and should come to an end naturally."

Ban Ki-moon, the UN Secretary General, warned Mr Eroglu last month that the window of opportunity for the current talks, which were launched in 2008, would close at the end of the year. President Christofias has appealed for Turkish intervention to save the talks.

In 1974, the Turkish army drove all Greeks from towns and villages across the northern half of the island in a sudden strike precipitated by pogroms against the local Turks.
A tense stand off between the Parachute Regiment and Turkish tanks on one of Britain's sovereign bases is still the closest two Nato nations have been to war.
The roots of the current impasse lie in the failure of a 2004 referendum on the Annan Plan, a blueprint drawn up by Kofi Annan, Mr Ban's predecessor, that would have seen land swapped for a loose federation of two self-governing Greek and Turkish entities.

The prospect of continued stalemate has dismayed representatives of families that still hold a dream of returning to properties lost in inter-communal violence and the Turkish invasion.

"Hundreds of thousands of Greek Cypriots who have been expelled from their houses demand justice," said Peter Droussiotis, the leader of the British Cypriots Federation. "The European Court of Justice said quite clearly its still their land. If the island was united all sides would enjoy the economic benefit. As it is the island is a source of instability in the region."

Many of the 5,000 Britons who own homes in the northern enclave are relieved that the prospect of failure.

A deal would mean those with deeds issued after 1974 faced the prospect of losing their homes to previous owners. Scores of alleged criminals hope to remain beyond the reach of international extradition treaties.

"The complications of title make many people insecure and there are these [criminal] elements here that will feel relieved," said Steve Day, the former Tory MP for Cheadle, who lives on the island. "People feel safer with the Turkish army here. We have got a ceasefire not a peace treaty."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/cyprus/7899114/Northern-Cyprus-plans-to-become-Mediterranean-Las-Vegas.html

Daniel Pipes: Turkey in Cyprus vs. Israel in Gaza, Ankara's recent condemnation of Jerusalem is hypocritical

2010-07-21T13:51:00.000+03:00

Source: Washington Post, 19 July 2010
Daniel Pipes
source: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/jul/19/turkey-in-cyprus-vs-israel-in-gaza/print/

In light of Ankara's recent criticism of what it calls Israel's "open-air jail" in Gaza, today's date, which marks the anniversary of Turkey's invasion of Cyprus, has special relevance.

Turkish policy toward Israel, historically warm and only a decade ago approaching full alliance, has cooled since Islamists took power in Ankara in 2002. Their hostility became explicit in January 2009, during the Israeli-Hamas war. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan grandly condemned Israeli policies as "perpetrating inhuman actions which would bring it to self-destruction" and even invoked God ("Allah will ... punish those who transgress the rights of innocents"). His wife, Emine Erdogan, hyperbolically condemned Israeli actions as so awful they "cannot be expressed in words."

Their verbal assaults augured a further hostility that included insulting the Israeli president, helping sponsor the "Freedom Flotilla" and recalling the Turkish ambassador.

This Turkish rage prompts a question: Is Israel in Gaza really worse than Turkey in Cyprus? A comparison finds this hardly to be so. Consider some contrasts:

c Turkey's invasion of July-August 1974 involved the use of napalm and "spread terror" among Cypriot Greek villagers, according to Minority Rights Group International. In contrast, Israel's "fierce battle" to take Gaza relied on only conventional weapons and entailed virtually no civilian casualties.

c The subsequent occupation of 37 percent of the island amounted to a "forced ethnic cleansing," William Mallinson said in a just-published monograph from the University of Minnesota. In contrast, if one wishes to accuse the Israeli authorities of ethnic cleansing in Gaza, it was against their own people, the Jews, in 2005.

c The Turkish government has sponsored what Mr. Mallinson calls "a systematic policy of colonization" on formerly Greek lands in Northern Cyprus. Turkish Cypriots in 1973 totaled about 120,000 people; since then, more than 160,000 citizens of the Republic of Turkey have been settled in their lands. Not a single Israeli community remains in Gaza.

c Ankara runs its occupied zone so tightly that, in the words of Bulent Akarcali, a senior Turkish politician, "Northern Cyprus is governed like a province of Turkey." An enemy of Israel, Hamas, rules in Gaza.

c The Turks set up a pretend-autonomous structure called the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus." Gazans enjoy real autonomy.

c A wall through the island keeps peaceable Greeks out of Northern Cyprus. Israel's wall excludes Palestinian terrorists.

And then there is the ghost town of Famagusta, where Turkish actions parallel those of Syria under the thuggish Assads. After the Turkish air force bombed the Cypriot port city, Turkish forces moved in to seize it, thereby prompting the entire Greek population (fearing a massacre) to flee. Turkish troops immediately fenced off the central part of the town, called Varosha, and prohibited anyone from living there.

As this crumbling Greek town is reclaimed by nature, it has become a bizarre time capsule from 1974. Steven Plaut of Haifa University visited and reports: "Nothing has changed. ... It is said that the car distributorships in the ghost town even today are stocked with vintage 1974 models. For years after the rape of Famagusta, people told of seeing light bulbs still burning in the windows of the abandoned buildings."

Curiously, another Levantine ghost town also dates from the summer of 1974. Just 24 days before the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, Israeli troops evacuated the border town of Quneitra, handing it over to the Syrian authorities. Hafez Assad chose, for political reasons too, not to let anyone live in it. Decades later, it too remains empty, a hostage to bellicosity.

Mr. Erdogan claims that Turkish troops are not occupying Northern Cyprus but are there in "Turkey's capacity as a guarantor power," whatever that means. The outside world, however, is not fooled. While Elvis Costello recently pulled out of a concert in Tel Aviv to protest the "suffering of the innocent [Palestinians]," Jennifer Lopez canceled a concert in Northern Cyprus to protest "human rights abuse" there.

In brief, Northern Cyprus shares features with Syria and resembles an "open-air jail" more than Gaza does. How rich that a hypocritical Ankara preens its moral plumage about Gaza even as it runs a zone significantly more offensive. Instead of meddling in Gaza, Turkish leaders should close the illegal and disruptive occupation that for decades has tragically divided Cyprus.

Daniel Pipes is director of the Middle East Forum and a visiting fellow at Stanford's Hoover Institution.

July 20th 2010, Protest Turkish Embassy: Turkish murderers, rapists, thieves, invaders, occupiers OUT OF CYPRUS!

2010-07-14T18:35:00.002+03:00

July 20Th: Protest Turkish Embassy: Turkish murderers, rapists, thieves, invaders, occupiers OUT OF CYPRUS

Contact: Nikolaos Taneris , New York . Tel. (917) 699-9935
WHERE: Turkish Embassy 2525 Massachusetts Ave., NW , Washington , DC
WHEN: July 20, 2010, Tuesday, 9AM-5PM

“Turkish Delight – but not for the Oppressed” by Victor Sharpe, The Jerusalem Connection Report US. Published on June 20, 2010--

“In 1974, a flotilla set sail from Turkey . No, it wasn’t destined for the Gaza coast carrying thugs and jihadists masquerading as human rights activists – as ill armed Israeli commandos discovered to their cost. No, this was a flotilla of naval ships sailing towards Cyprus as a fully-fledged invasion force, illegally employing U.S. arms and equipment. Later, after Greek Cypriot resistance had been crushed in the north of the island, Turkish forces began to ethnically cleanse almost half of the island from its Greek population, The Turkish military employed hundreds of U.S. tanks and airplanes and 35,000 ground troops, with the result being a land grab by Turkey of 37.3% of Cyprus. Turkey later sent additional flotillas to the island; ships containing 150,000 Turkish settlers who proceeded to colonize the land after some 200,000 Greeks had been driven out and made into refugees.”

The Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA) will be demonstrating directly in front of the Turkish Embassy in Washington DC , to demand justice for the criminal Turkish invasion of Cyprus that began on July 20th 1974.

For 36 years Greek-Cypriots suffer an ongoing HOLOCAUST of our culture, heritage and people. Turkey’s crimes include the rape of 800 Greek-Cypriot women, the murder of thousands of Greek-Cypriots, the theft of half of the Greek-Cypriot peoples homeland, the forcible displacement of hundreds of thousands, and the ongoing illegal occupation of a culture, a sovereign territory a homeland.

Over 100 United Nations resolutions have declared the ongoing Turkish-military-occupation of Cyprus illegal, and call for the speedy withdrawal of all Turkish troops from Cyprus . Turkey continues to mock international law and human rights and continues to exploit the theft of our land by spending millions to illegally convert it into luxury hotels and casinos. Turkey has brought over 150,000 illegal Turkish settlers into our stolen homes to commit cultural genocide by forcibly changing the demographic of Cyprus .

Turkey’s illegal occupation regime is an offshore base for the Turkish deep state, and uses Turkish-occupied-Cyprus to export illicit narcotics and international terrorism.

We call upon all Greek-Cypriots and people of conscience who care for justice to join us, to bring their own noisemakers and flags, and to not give the criminal a moment’s rest on July 20th the 36th Anniversary of our trail of blood and tears. Look the Turkish murders, rapists, thieves, invaders, occupiers right in the eye, and join us chanting loud and proud TURKEY OUT OF CYPRUS .

In 2008 the CANA July 20 Turkish Embassy protest managed to get coverage by CBS. Our protest sends the strong message around the world that, no matter how hard the Turkish murderers, rapists, thieves, invaders, occupiers and their allies try to sell us their Turkish racist bizonal, bicommunal plans: WE WILL NEVER FORGIVE, WE WILL NEVER FORGET the perpetrators of the HOLOCAUST of the Greek-Cypriot people."

source: http://www.cyprusactionnetwork.org/july_20th_protest_turkish_embassy

Letter to all MEPs: In 9th of July of 1821 we had in Cyprus the massacre by Turks, of 486 notable Greek Cypriots

2010-07-11T05:53:00.004+03:00

We copy a letter Euripides Billis, Ex – Assistant Professor of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA). Says a lot about the history of Turkish brutality on Cyprus.

Make sure you use the letter and distribute it, as it contains important facts about the history of Cyprus and Turkish brutality.

Honorable Members of the European Parliament,

In 1821 we had the Greek revolution against Turks.

This year in 9th of July of 1821 we had in Cyprus the massacre by Turks, of 486 notable Greek Cypriots.

Even the fact that in the island of Cyprus there existed that time calm, the Turk governor of Cyprus Mehmet Küçük asked from the Sultan Mahmud II (1785-1839) his permit to kill 486 notable members of Cyprus Greek community so as Greek people of Cyprus to remain without leaders.

Of course the permit was given the 486 Greek Cypriot were then Killed.

Between them were included, the archbishop of Cyprus Kyprianos and all the Bishops of Cyprus. The archbishop of Cyprus Kyprianos was hanged and all the others were massacred.

If you ever been in Nicosia you may see in the yard of Madonna Phaneromeni church the mausoleum of the hanged archbishop Kyprianos and of massacred Bishops of Cyprus.

This was the kind of Ottoman Turkish Empire for which the foreign minister of Turkey Davoutoglou stated many times recently how "ideal" was.

As you may below see, every date is an anniversary of Turkish massacres in different countries of the late Ottoman Turkish Empire.

The written below data are from the George Horton (late Consul of US in Smyrna until its destruction by Turks in 1922) book "The Blight of Asia" which you may find in Google.

Turkey beyond these data continued until recent years its genocides against Greek in Constantinople in 1955 and 1963, against the Greek people of Imvros and Tenedos islands and against Greek Cypriots during its invasion in Cyprus in 1974. Of course for many years continues the killing of Kurds.

This is the European Turkey.

May I also remind you that the prime minister of Turkey Erdogan will visit as a "conqueror" the occupied part of Cyprus in 20th of July to celebrate their crime of the of Turkish invasion in Cyprus in 1974

Euripides Billis
Ex – Assistant Professor of Athens National Technical University of Athens (NTUA)

ATTACHMENT: George Horton's data about Turkish massacres from 1822 up till 1904

GEORGE HORTON BOOK, "BLIGHT OF ASIA"
TURKISH MASSACRES

Turkish massacres from 1822 up till 1904

1822 Chios, Greeks                        50,000

1823 Missolongi, Greeks                  8,750

1826 Constantinople, Jannisaries    25,000

1850 Mosul, Assyrians                    10,000

1860 Lebanon, Maronites                12,000

1876 Bulgaria, Bulgarians              14,700

1877 Bayazid, Armenians                  1,400

1879 Alashguerd, Armenians            1,250

1881 Alexandria, Christians              2,000

1892 Mosul, Yezidies                       3,500

1894 Sassun, Armenians                 12,000

1895-96 Armenia, Armenians       150,000

1896 Constantinople, Armenians      9,570

1896 Van, Armenians                        8,000

1903-04 Macedonia, Macedonians 14,667

1904 Sassun, Armenians                   5,640

                                                    _______

       Total                                      328,477

To this must be added the massacre in the province of Adana in 1909, of thirty thousand Armenians

THE BULGARIAN ATROCITIES

Killing of 14,700 Bulgarians in 1876

(In “A Short History of the Near East”, Professor William Stearns Davis, of the University of Minnesota, referring to the Bulgarian atrocities 1876, says:

“What followed seems a massacre on a small scale compared with the slaughter of Armenians in 1915-16, but it was enough to paralyze the power of Disraeli to protect the Turks. In all, about twelve thousand Christians seem to have been massacred. At the thriving town of Batal five thousand out of seven thousand inhabitants seem to have perished. Of course neither age or sex was spared and lust and perfidy were added to other acts of devilishness. It is a pitiful commentary on a phase of British politics that Disraeli and his fellow Tories tried their best to minimize the reports of these atrocities. They were not given to the world by official consular reports, but by private English journalists.”

The above is interesting, as it illustrates a quite common method of government procedure in such cases. The Tory does not seem to be a unique product of British politics).

The massacres already enumerated are a sufficient blot upon the Turkish name. They were made possible by the teachings of the Koran, the example of Mohammed, lust and the desire for plunder.

They sink into insignificance when compared with the vast slaughter of more recent years, conducted under the auspices of Abdul Hamid, Talaat and Company, and Mustapha Khemal.

Immediately after the reestablishment of the Constitution, then, the first step of the dominant race was to solidify its supremacy by measures of suppression, oppression, and murder. The Turks also deliberately undertook to force all the non-Turkish races to become in language, laws, habits and almost all other particulars, “Ottomans.” (Professor Davis’ “Short History of the Near East”)

The persecution to which all the races in the Empire were subjected, with the exception of the Turks, is well-depicted in the following article in the “Nea Alethia”, a conservative journal published in the Greek language, in Saloniki, which used all its influence in favor of harmony and moderation. The following is from the issue of July 10, 1910, or about two years after the declaration of the famous “Constitution”:

“Before two years are finished a secret committee is unearthed in Constantinople, with branches all over in important commercial towns, whose intentions are declared to be subversive of the present state of affairs. In this committee are found many prominent men and members of Congress. All discontent seen in the kingdom has its beginning in this perverted policy. Our rulers, according to their newly adopted system of centralization upon the basis of the domination of the ruling race have given gall and wormwood to all the other races. They have displeased the Arabs by wishing them to abandon their language. They have alienated the Albanians by attempting to apply force, though conciliatory measures would have been better. They have dissatisfied the Armenians by neglecting their lawful petitions. They have offended the Bulgarians by forcing them to live with foreigners brought purposely from other places. They have dissatisfied the Serbians by using against them measures the harshness of which is contrary to human laws.”

“But for us Greeks words are useless. We have every day before us such a vivid picture of persecution and extermination that however much we might say, would not be sufficient to express the magnitude of the misfortunes, which since two years have come upon our heads. It is acknowledged that the Greek race ranks second as a pillar of the Constitution and that it is the most valuable of those contributing to the prosperity of the Ottoman fatherland.”

“We have the right to ask, what have we, Ottoman Greeks, done that we should be so persecuted? The law-abiding character of the Ottoman Greeks is indisputable. To us were given promises that our rights would remain untouched. Despite this, laws are voted through which churches, schools, and cemeteries belonging to us are taken and given to others. Clergymen and teachers are imprisoned, citizens are beaten, from everywhere lamentation and weeping are heard.”

“With what joy we Ottoman Greeks hailed the rise of the 10th of July! With what eagerness we took part in the expedition of April, 1909! With what hopes we look forward even to-day to the future of this country! It is ours, and no power is able to separate us from it.”

“The Greeks are a power in Turkey; a moral and material power. This power it is impossible for our compatriot Turks to ignore. When will that day come when full agreement will exist between the two races! Then only hand in hand will both march forward, and Turkey will reach the height which is her due.”
The following is from my Saloniki diary, dated December 11, 1910:

“Wholesale arrests, in some of the towns all the prominent citizens being thrown into jail together.”

“Series of assassinations of chiefs of communities, in broad day, in the streets. Fifty prominent Bulgarians thus shot down, and many Greeks.”

“The following figures were obtained from a report of the Turkish Parliament and locally confirmed:

In the Sandjack of Uskub, 1,104 persons bastinadoed; Villayet of Monastir, 285 persons bastinadoed; Saloniki, 464 persons bastinadoed; (of these 11 died and 62 were permanently injured.) Casas of Yenidje-Vardar, Gevgeli, Vodena, 911 persons were bastinadoed.

All the prisons are crowded with Christians; many have fled into Bulgaria and thousands of men, women and children are hiding in the mountains.”

THE MASSACRE OF PHOCEA
(1914)

THE complete and documentary account of the ferocious persecutions of the Christian population of the Smyrna region, which occurred in 1914, is not difficult to obtain; but it will suffice, by way of illustration, to give only some extracts from a report by the French eye-witness, Manciet, concerning the massacre and pillage of Phocea, a town of eight thousand Greek inhabitants and about four hundred Turks, situated on the sea a short distance from Smyrna. The destruction of Phocea excited great interest in Marseilles, as colonists of the very ancient Greek town founded the French city. Phocea is the mother of Marseilles. Monsieur Manciet was present at the massacre and pillage of Phocea, and, together with three other Frenchman, Messieurs Sartiaux, Carlier and Dandria, saved hundreds of lives by courage and presence of mind.

"During the night the organized bands continued the pillage of the town. At the break of dawn there was continual “tres nourrie” firing before the houses. Going out immediately, we four, we saw the most atrocious spectacle of which it is possible to dream. This horde, which had entered the town, was armed with Gras rifles and cavalry muskets. A house was in flames. From all directions the Christians were rushing to the quays seeking boats to get away in, but since the night there were none left. Cries of terror mingled with the sound of firing. The panic was so great that a woman with her child was drowned in sixty centimeters of water.”

NEW LIGHT ON THE ARMENIAN MASSACRES
(1914-1915)

THE last act in the fearful drama of the extermination of Christianity in the Byzantine Empire was the burning of Smyrna by the troops of Mustapha Khemal. The murder of the Armenian race had been practically consummated during the years 1915-1916, and the prosperous and populous Greek colonies, with the exception of Smyrna itself, had been ferociously destroyed. The idea has been widely circulated, and seems to be gaining credence, that the Turk has changed his nature overnight.

THE DESTRUCTION OF SMYRNA
(SEPTEMBER, 1922)
NUMBER DONE TO DEATH

Official statistics give the Armenian inhabitants of Smyrna as twenty-five thousand and it is certain that the larger part of the men of this community were killed, besides many women and girls, also numerous Greeks. A dispatch to the “London Daily Chronicle” of September 18, 1922, says: “The lowest estimate of lives lost given by the refugees, places the total at one hundred and twenty thousand.”

The flourishing communities of Amasia, Caesaria, Trebizonde, Chaldes, Rhodopolis, Colonia, centers of Greek civilization for many hundreds of years have been practically annihilated in a persistent campaign of massacre, hanging, deportation, fire and rape. The victims amount to hundreds of thousands, bringing the sum total of exterminated Armenians and Greeks in the whole of the old Roman province of Asia up to the grand total of one million, five hundred thousand. Thus has been created that “regenerated” Turkey, which has been compared in some quarters to Switzerland and the United States.

Had the Greeks, after the massacres in the Pontus and at Smyrna, massacred all the Turks in Greece, the record would have been 50-50—almost.

Smyrna was burned by the Turks, as the concluding, at present, act in a consistent policy that has been shaping Moslem history and expansion for centuries, and especially Turkish history since the coming to power of the Young Turks, as displayed in the “Turkifying” murders, tortures and persecutions in Macedonia that led to the First Balkan War (1912); the killing and driving from their homes of the Greeks of Asia Minor during the period just preceding the outbreak of the World War and the destruction of their flourishing villages, (as described by the Frenchman Manciet, writing of the scenes at Phocaea); the deportation of Greeks, men, women and children in the midwinter of 1916, from the Black Sea region, forcing them to walk in the inclement weather till many thousands perished (as mentioned by Dana K. Getchell, in his letter given above); the doing to death of between eight hundred thousand and a million Armenians in 1915-16; the burning of Smyrna and the massacre of thousands of its inhabitants in 1922.

The Turks can not regain the confidence and respect of the civilized world until they repent sincerely of their crimes and make all restitution in their power.

Lopez's cancellation ignites the fire: Favourable coverage from world press again, Turkey's human right abuses exposed on a massive scale

2010-07-10T15:52:00.004+03:00

Very positive coverage from the international press. We provide links to some of myriads of articles on the issue. The Jennifer Lopez affair internationalized the Cyprus problem once again, it showed the reality of the brutal Turkish invasion and occupation, and has managed more than what Greek and Greek-Cypriot politicians have failed to do for years.

After many years, the drama of Cyprus is once again frontpage for the eyes of the world to see. All newspapers, from West to East, and from North to South talk about the human rights abuse, the Turkish military invasion, the refugees and the "displaced Greeks", the "non-recognised north" and the ongoing illegal occupation of a European island with a Greek heritage.

Once again, THANK YOU JENNIFER LOPEZ for being a champion of Human Rights, Democracy, Freedom and Morality!

11 July 2010:

Lenta (Russia): Турки потребуют от Дженнифер Лопес компенсацию в 40 миллионов долларов

10 July 2010:

Kathimerini (Greece): Λόπεζ: Μία νίκη με πολλά μηνύματα μεν αλλά...

09 July 2010:

Forbes (syndicated from Associated Press): J-Lo cancels controversial north Cyprus show

Reuters: Jennifer Lopez cancels Cyprus gig after outcry

El Pais (Spain): Jennifer López cancela su conflictivo concierto en Chipre - includes direct link to Fanoulla Argyrou's article in Spanish

E! Online (UK): Jennifer Lopez Clues In, Pulls Plug on Controversial Cyprus Concert - by Josh Grossberg

People (Spain): Jennifer López cancela concierto en el norte de Chipre

Toronto Sun (Canada): J.Lo axes controversial Cyprus gig

Gulf Daily News (Bahrain): Lopez has cancelled Cyprus gig

The Celebrity Cafe (USA): Jennifer Lopez Cancels Cyprus Show

Christian Science Monitor (USA): Jennifer Lopez cancels controversial north Cyprus show

CBC (Canada): Jennifer Lopez cancels Cyprus gig amid furor

Silicon Valley Mercury News (USA): J.Lo drops a hot potato

Los Angeles Times (USA): Jennifer Lopez cancels concert at northern Cyprus hotel

Singers Rooms (USA): Jennifer Lopez Pulls Plug On Controversial Cyprus Gig

Canoe (Canada): J.Lo axes controversial Cyprus gig

411 Mania (USA): Jennifer Lopez Pulls Out Of Show Due To Political Climate

NDTV (India): Lopez calls off her performance at Cyprus Hotel

PerezHilton.com (USA): J. Lo Cancels Performance In Northern Cyprus

IndiaTalkies (India): J.Lo pulls out of controversial N. Cyprus gig

07 July 2010:

The Hollywood Reporter (USA): Jennifer Lopez's Cyprus gig divides locals

Lrytas (Lithuania): Kipro turkai iš atlikėjos J.Lopez reikalauja 40 mln. dolerių kompensacijos

06 July 2010:

E! Online (Israel): קמפיין בינלאומי קורא לג'ניפר לופז לבטל הופעה בחלק הטורקי של קפריסין - Links to CANA and Fanoulla Argyrou's article

J-Lo officially withdraws from the concert in occupied Cyprus!! Thank you Jennifer!! You are true champion of Morality, Human Rights, Democracy and Freedom!

2010-07-09T04:05:00.003+03:00

It is now official people! Thanks to the efforts of thousands of grassroots activists, people who care about human rights, freedom and democracy, Jennifer Lopez has reconsidered and she has OFFICIALLY withdrawn from the concert! She will NOT be making a favour to the Turkish occupation army, Neo-Sultan Tayyip Erdogan and Neo-Ottoman imperialist Ahmet Davutoglu. Congratulations to the Cyprus Action Network of America for their enormous efforts!!

Thank you Jennifer!! You are true champion of Morality, Human Rights, Democracy and Freedom! Yes, you are still "Jenny from the block", and you do care about "Eleni from Keryneia", "Anastasia from Ammochostos" and "Georgia from Morphou" that in 1974 they were forced to flee their houses and ancestral lands, they were raped at gunpoint, they had their husbands executed in front of their eyes, and they were made refugees along with 200,000 other Greek-Cypriots.

Thank you Jennifer you putting morality, ethics and human rights above the blood-dripping money and fame that the rapists, the murderers and the invaders promised to you.

Source: TMZ.com, 7/8/2010 3:53 PM

Jennifer Lopez has officially "withdrawn" from a concert in a European territory currently under military occupation -- claiming she never would have agreed to perform had she known the "relevant circumstances" surrounding the intense political situation.

Lopez was scheduled to perform in Turkish-occupied Northern Cyprus ... an area that neither the United Nations nor the European Union recognize as an independent sovereign state ... because of the way it was illegally occupied by the Turkish military in 1974.

In fact, multiple Greek and Cypriot politicians expressed anger after reports surfaced claiming Lopez had agreed to perform at a swanky hotel in Northern Cyprus on July 24.

But a rep for Lopez tells TMZ, "Jennifer Lopez would never knowingly support any state, country, institution or regime that was associated with any form of human rights abuse."

The rep added, "After a full review of the relevant circumstances in Cyprus, it was the decision of management to withdraw from the appearance. This was a team decision that reflects our sensitivity to the political realities of the region."

http://www.tmz.com/2010/07/08/jennifer-lopez-jlo-northern-cyprus-greece-turkey-concert-show-outrage/

--------------------------------

Confirmation by the official website:

Official Statement Regarding Cyprus Appearance
07.08.10, 8:20PM

Jennifer Lopez would never knowingly support any state, country, institution or regime that was associated with any form of human rights abuse. After a full review of the relevant circumstances in Cyprus, it was the decision of her advisors to withdraw from the appearance. This was a team decision that reflects our sensitivity to the political realities of the region.

http://www.jenniferlopez.com/news/official-statement-regarding-cyprus-appearance

Grass-roots power: Avalance against Jennifer Lopez perforfming in occupied Cyprus

2010-07-08T23:51:00.000+03:00

Following the initiative taken up by Cyprus Action Network of America CANA on June 30, 2010 to respectfully protest American celebrity Jennifer Lopez’s illegal visit to Turkish-occupied Cyprus, thousands of Greek-Cypriots in the homeland and the diaspora answered the call by bombarding multimedia with the truth and media began to listen.

Beginning with a report by Helena Smith of the GUARDIAN UK on July 5 th, an avalanche of international news reports have been issued citing the illegal Turkish invasion and illegal Turkish-occupation of Cyprus in regards claims of Lopez’s illegal visit to Turkish-Occupied Cyprus. We also have gained the support of Greek-Cypriot advocacy groups in Cyprus and around the world, below follows extensive links documenting all our successful efforts to send out a cry for help worldwide for justice for CYPRUS. Moreover the call for justice was made by two Greek-Cypriot Refugee women, Mrs. Fanoulla Argyrou who wrote the letter “Dr. Ms Jennifer Lopez, 800 Greek-Cypriot women were raped by Turks in 1974…” which has been translated following massive demand in Greek and Spanish and circulated in three languages was quoted by the Guardian and international media syndication, and Refugee mother and President of CYPRUS' MOVEMENT OF REFUGEES & DISPLACED MOTHERS Markella Isaia-Chakka's letter to Jennifer Lopez has made such an impact that it was also translated in French.

The campaign starts to permeate in the French-speaking world, as the Agence France-Presse has syndicated the story, and it has also been reported by the largest French TV network TF1.
http://lci.tf1.fr/people/2010-07/jlo-cree-un-incident-diplomatique-a-chypre-5918233.html

1) The following lists links to international news on our campaign from UK, America, CANADA, Europe, Africa, Israel, and Asia:
UNITED KINGDOM

Guardian UK:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/05/jennifer-lopez-northern-cyprus-gig

Telegraph UK:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/7873956/Jennifer-Lopez-urged-to-cancel-Cyprus-concert.html

Independent UK:
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/anger-as-jennifer-lopez-set-to-rock-north-cyprus-2020327.html

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (USA)

AHN All Headline News
http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7019201615

ABC World News:
http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=11106809

The Hollywood Reporter:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/music/news/e3ifb9f290da772a7b4eedd4821d38db1d5

Improper Magazine
http://www.theimproper.com/?p=9570

CANADA:

The Toronto Sun:
http://www.torontosun.com/entertainment/celebrities/2010/07/06/14621171.html

AUSTRALIA:

The Sydney Morning Herald:
http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/people/jlos-birthday-trip-turns--political-20100706-zysr.html

ASIA

The Malaysian Insider:
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/showbiz/article/anger-as-jennifer-lopez-set-to-rock-north-cyprus/

Asian News International/DailyIndia.com:
http://www.dailyindia.com/show/384651.php

SOUTH AFRICA

Eyewitness New Africa
http://www.eyewitnessnews.co.za/articleprog.aspx?id=43521

EUROPE:

Network TF1 France
http://lci.tf1.fr/people/2010-07/jlo-cree-un-incident-diplomatique-a-chypre-5918233.html

France 24 France
http://www.france24.com/en/20100706-anger-jennifer-lopez-set-rock-north-cyprus

Interia Poland

http://muzyka.interia.pl/pop/news/jennifer-lopez-i-wojna-o-cypr,1502672

Rambler media group: Russia
http://www.lenta.ru/news/2010/07/06/lopez/

Holland The Netherlands: Bruno.nl
http://www.bruno.nl/nieuws/5464/jennifer-lopez-schokt-griekse-cyprioten.html

ISRAEL:

Ynet in Israel, look for mention of Cyprus Action Network of America, written backwards the Hebrew way, in English:
http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3915836,00.html

SITES, BLOGS, NEWSPAPERS IN CYPRUS, GREECE AND GREEK CYPRIOT DIASPORA
Numerous news sites and literally hundreds of websites and blogs followed the story of the protest against Lopez’s illegal visit including Digital Spy, OneIndia, Yahoo News, Philippine Daily Inquirer, ContactMusic.com (UK), USA News Week (USA), and award winning journalist Tony Phyrillas’s blogs the Talking Politics with Tony Phyrillas and Reading AHEPA. As well as Greek-American news site the Hollywood Greek Reporter, and major Greek newspapers and news services in Greece and Cyprus such as daily newspaper Simerini and Eleftherotypia in Athens as well Voice of America based out of Washington DC and The National Herald in New York and the London newspapers Eleftheria and Ta Nea.
Simerini

http://www.sigmalive.com/simerini/news/local/282274
http://www.sigmalive.com/simerini/world/epikairotita/283454
http://www.sigmalive.com/simerini/columns/antistaseis/282784

Eleftherotypia:
http://www.enet.gr/?i=issue.el.home&date=06/07/2010&s=to-anagnwstiko-ths-teleytaias-selidas

Kypriako Pontiki
www.pontiki.com.cy

Ta Nea London
www.greeknews-tanea.com

Eleftheria London
www.eleftheria.co.uk

Voice of America:
http://www1.voanews.com/greek/news/turkey/Jennifer-Lopez-Cyprus-Turkey-07-06-2010-97900079.html

Hollywood Greek Reporter:
http://hollywood.greekreporter.com/2010/07/04/jennifer-lopezs-decision-to-celebrate-birthday-in-occupied-cyprus-creates-political-turmoil/

Tony Phyrillas

http://talkingpoliticswithtonyphyrillas.blogspot.com/2010/07/stop-jennifer-lopez-from-visiting.html
http://williampenn61.blogspot.com/2010/07/stop-jennifer-lopez-from-visiting.html

SUPPORT FROM CYPRUS DISPLACED MOTHERS AND REFUGEES:

Mrs. Markella Isaia-Chakka President of CYPRUS' MOVEMENT OF REFUGEES & DISPLACED MOTHERS has sent the following letter to Jennifer Lopez. The original letter is in the PDF link and Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA) has permission to distribute through our activists, please distribute widely

http://cyprusactionnetwork.org/cyprus_mothers

The French Translation is made available on the website of Agora Dialogue links follows below:
À L’ATTENTION DE: Madame Jennifer Lynn Lopez

http://agora-dialogue.com/?p=8663

GRASS-ROOTS POWER: THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SUPPORTERS AND FRIENDS

Despite the millions spent on high profile public relations specialists and media agents to bring the American star Jennifer Lopez by Turkey in order to falsely “legitimize” the crimes against our people and the theft of our homeland, it was our grass-roots, our ordinary people who turned it on them and instead the entire world was reminded of the truth. The truth that Turkey is guilty of crimes against humanity that include the illegal-invasion and ongoing illegal-occupation of our people, our heritage, our culture. This is a power that comes from the beating heart of our ordinary people. We cannot, of course, ignore the world around us, nor fail to think clearly about how best to tackle the challenges ahead. We owe that to ourselves and to future generations. The bottom line is this: Stay active, speak out, stand strong.
Many thanks to our friends and supporters on the tough road to the final victory—worldwide recognition of the Turkish crimes perpetrated against the Greek-Cypriot people and full restoration and full restitution. In other words: Justice.

SPECIAL THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING GROUPS, ASSOCIATIONS AND SITES:

THE MOVEMENT FOR FREEDOM AND JUSTICE IN CYPRUS, CYPRUS' MOVEMENT OF REFUGEES & DISPLACED MOTHERS ,ADOULITI KIRENIA, EFYLAKAS,TO KYPRIAKO PONTIKI newspaper in Cyprus www.pontiki.com.cy, American Hellenic Council AHC, HELLENIC ELECTRONIC CENTER (HEC), AMERICAN HELLENIC EDUCATIONAL PROGRESSIVE ASSOCIATION AHEPA, METOPO CYPRIOT STUDENTS MOVEMENT UK, THE NATIONAL HERALD ETHNIKOS KIRIX, NEOS KOSMOS newspaper AUSTRALIA, daily newspaper Simerini in Cyprus, award winning Greek-American journalist Tony Phyrillas, Hollywood Greek Reporter news site , www.agora-dialogue.com , http://hellenicvanguard.blogspot.com/, www.parisstylianides.com and many websites and blogs in Greece and Cyprus and around the world, the Cyprus IndyMedia Collective,http://CyprusIndyMedia.org
along with all the other groups above that are endorsing this campaign. IndyMedia is an independent, grassroots global organization with branches all over the world; the Cyprus local is 100% in support of this campaign.

And Most especially the Facebook group with 17,0000 members and climbing “AGAINST JENNIFER LOPEZ PERFORMING IN OCCUPIED CYPRUS”

http://www.facebook.com/pages/AGAINST-JENNIFER-LOPEZ-PERFORMING-IN-OCCUPIED-CYPRUS/129154837124167

Contact: Nikolaos Taneris, New York, Tel. (917) 699-9935