The Turkish Occupation of North Cyprus
The Turkish Occupation of North Cyprus
The beautiful Island of Cyprus is a popular destination for holiday makers from all over Europe especially the British. However not everyone is alive that part of the country is under occupation by an intruding on army. In 1974 the Turkish army intruded on the North of Cyprus and have been there ever since. They have adjudged the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus or TRNC as it has also been named but unfortunately no other country in the world recognizes it. In fact most countries including those within the U.N. and the E.U run trade embargoes against North Cyprus. Air Travel to the North of the Island is also censored by most countries and tourist caring to visit there must wing into Turkey first
why has it taken you The events in Cyprus leading up to the 1974 invasion were themselves turbulent to say the least and some observers claim that the Turks used this as an excuse. During the British occupation of the Island there was a strong political movement towards “Enosis” or union with Greece which many Greek Cypriots believed to be their motherland. There was an abundant struggle with the British for independence and out of this desire for Enosis was born EOKA or Ethniki Organosis Kyprion Agoniston interpreted in English to National Organization of Cypriot Fighters. These guerrilla fighters were annunciated as domestic heroes in Cyprus’s struggle for independence and there are several monuments set up in their memory studded around the Island. In 1971 postdating the subvert of the government in Greece by the combatant junta EOKA b was organized in Cyprus with a regenerated emphasis on Enosis with the mainland.
The final outcome of this struggle saw the formation of a coalition style government with representation by both Turkish and Greek Cypriots according to a percentage scale. The Greek Cypriots of course being in the majority, which led their Turkish compatriots to sound off that they were under stood for. In fact postdating purported changes in the constitution the Turks withdrew from the Islands government amid a period of inter-communal violence and most of the Turkish Cypriot population pulled away into antiaircraft enclaves. Shortly before the invasion of the North of Cyprus there was a combatant coup by the Greek Junta and EOKA b which quickly fell in. At this point Turkey intruded on the North and pushed all the way down to Famagusta and the capital Nicosia
Thousands of Greek Cypriots were forced to flee their homes with only what they could carry leaving all their land and businesses behind. Even now (2007) these displaced Cypriots still consider themselves refugees and the Cyprus government shares their view. The Turkish government boosted nationals to travel to North Cyprus and has thousands of it’s troops displaced there too. The border between the North and Southern Cyprus is guarded by the United Nations peacekeeping force whilst the capital Nicosia remains the last split city in the world. Since Turkey evinced her desire for ascension into the European Union the “Cyprus problem” is under the circular spot light and all those involved are trying to work out a solution
;No one can predict how the many issues of this long standing dispute will be settled but emotions on both sides still run deep. Visitors to Cyprus especially the Famagusta area will notice that many business owners proudly display older photographs of premises they gone forth behind in 1974. The disputes over land being traded for development in North Cyprus also continues to append fuel to the governmental fire too. A fresh generation has matured up on the Turkish side of the border and they finger like they be there whilst those in the South still posed claim to the land. There is little doubt that both sides still have an abundant way to go before they expect to see any solutions to the issues concerning the occupation of North Cyprus
