Letter: Turks in Cyprus

Mr Duncan Ponikwer
Tuesday 19 October 1993 18:02 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sir: Lord Bethell's article on the Cyprus problem (18 October) highlights the frustration felt by both the Greek and Turkish indigenous populations. However, it should be emphasised that many believe that Turkey, in intervening in 1974, was only exercising its rights under Article 4 of the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee, which was signed by Britain, Greece, Turkey, the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots themselves. Indeed, many Turkish Cypriots believe, rightly or wrongly, that the continuing presence of the Turkish army in the northern part of the island gives them protection against massacres similar to those of 1963, 1967 and 1974.

It is unlikely that the Turkish troops will leave until the world community recognises the Northern Republic, and UN resolution 649, calling upon the two peoples of Cyprus to co-operate on an equal footing, is adhered to.

Yours sincerely,

DUNCAN PONIKWER

Carshalton, Surrey

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in