(CNA) - US Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) will travel to Cyprus, Greece and Turkey. The primary focus of his trip is the political situation in Cyprus, divided since the Turkish invasion of the island in 1974.
Durbin left US on Saturday, traveling first to Cyprus, then on to Greece and Turkey. Stops in Nicosia, Athens, Ankara and Istanbul are currently planned, a news release issued by Durbin`s office said.
“For more than a generation, the situation in Cyprus has left an island and a region divided,” Durbin said. “Cyprus, Greece and Turkey are all vital allies of the United States and important to the region. We all hope that a peaceful and enduring settlement can be reached,” he added.
According to the news release, Durbin is not traveling as a representative of the Obama Administration. Durbin’s position as a member of the Senate Leadership and Appropriations Committee comes with the responsibility to lead delegations on official visits with senior foreign government officials regarding issues affecting United States bilateral and regional relationships. The trip will give Durbin the ability to gain firsthand knowledge of progress in the region and the challenges that still lie ahead.
Alexis Giannoulias, Illinois State Treasurer, will travel with the Senator for a portion of the trip. Florida Congressman Robert Wexler (D, FL-19) will be traveling in Turkey next week and may join Durbin for a series of meetings.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Open Letter to the Turkish Cypriot Community
Open letter from Euro MP Marios Matsakis to the Turkish Cypriot Community
Dear Turkish Cypriot co-patriots,
In June this year elections will be held in Cyprus (and in the rest of the European Union), for the election of members of the European Parliament. All Cypriots are eligible to vote and be voted in these elections. This applies equally, of course, to all the Turkish Cypriots who are EU citizens as of the 1st of May 2004. As with all other Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots must apply before the 2nd of April for their names to be put on the Electoral Register. Once this is done they can exercise their right to vote and/or to declare their candidacy if they so wish.
Inevitably, voting has to take place in the Government controlled areas of Cyprus but this shouldn't be much of a problem as there is free access across the Green Line and since distances in Cyprus are very small.
It is with much regret that I have been informed that, the spokesman of the Turkish Cypriot leader Mr Talat has yesterday stated his opposition to the participation of Turkish Cypriots in June´s European Parliament elections.
This, in my view, is not a very constructive attitude to have. If Turkish Cypriots exercise their right to vote and be voted, they can elect 1-2 Turkish Cypriot representatives in the European Parliament and surely this cannot be a bad thing for the Turkish Cypriot Community.
Neither will it interfere with the current negotiations for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem. On the contrary, it will enhance the trust between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots and will increase the chances of achieving an amicable solution in the near future.
Dear co- patriots, the right to vote and be voted is sacred. And the European Union Elections are important for you just as much as for all citizens across Europe. Do not waste the opportunity to exercise this right and chose your representative(s) in the European Parliament.
PLEASE REGISTER FOR THE ELECTIONS NOW AND LET YOUR CHOICE COUNT!
Dr. Marios Matsakis,
Cypriot Member of the European Parliament
Dear Turkish Cypriot co-patriots,
In June this year elections will be held in Cyprus (and in the rest of the European Union), for the election of members of the European Parliament. All Cypriots are eligible to vote and be voted in these elections. This applies equally, of course, to all the Turkish Cypriots who are EU citizens as of the 1st of May 2004. As with all other Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots must apply before the 2nd of April for their names to be put on the Electoral Register. Once this is done they can exercise their right to vote and/or to declare their candidacy if they so wish.
Inevitably, voting has to take place in the Government controlled areas of Cyprus but this shouldn't be much of a problem as there is free access across the Green Line and since distances in Cyprus are very small.
It is with much regret that I have been informed that, the spokesman of the Turkish Cypriot leader Mr Talat has yesterday stated his opposition to the participation of Turkish Cypriots in June´s European Parliament elections.
This, in my view, is not a very constructive attitude to have. If Turkish Cypriots exercise their right to vote and be voted, they can elect 1-2 Turkish Cypriot representatives in the European Parliament and surely this cannot be a bad thing for the Turkish Cypriot Community.
Neither will it interfere with the current negotiations for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem. On the contrary, it will enhance the trust between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots and will increase the chances of achieving an amicable solution in the near future.
Dear co- patriots, the right to vote and be voted is sacred. And the European Union Elections are important for you just as much as for all citizens across Europe. Do not waste the opportunity to exercise this right and chose your representative(s) in the European Parliament.
PLEASE REGISTER FOR THE ELECTIONS NOW AND LET YOUR CHOICE COUNT!
Dr. Marios Matsakis,
Cypriot Member of the European Parliament
Friday, January 23, 2009
Utter shock at Turkish star's Cyprus revelations
(Famagusta Gazette) - A popular Turkish television star has revealed how he personally shot dead ten Greek Cypriot soldiers during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974.
The star, Attila Alkac, made the disturbing claims while being interviewed on a television show in Turkey.
The revelations have sent public opinion in both Cyprus and Turkey reeling, in particular the actor's graphic and clear recollections have left many in shock.
The actor said he first shot dead a 19-year-old prisoner of war, then another nine POWs.
He said said since the killings he has “not been able to stand the sight of blood or eat meat.”
It is thought that he may now be called before the missing persons committee, who describe the revelations as “shocking'.
The star, Attila Alkac, made the disturbing claims while being interviewed on a television show in Turkey.
The revelations have sent public opinion in both Cyprus and Turkey reeling, in particular the actor's graphic and clear recollections have left many in shock.
The actor said he first shot dead a 19-year-old prisoner of war, then another nine POWs.
He said said since the killings he has “not been able to stand the sight of blood or eat meat.”
It is thought that he may now be called before the missing persons committee, who describe the revelations as “shocking'.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Mayor of Cypriot 'ghost town' presses EU on Turkey membership
From the The Parliament:
The mayor of the Cypriot “ghost town” of Famagusta has called on the EU to press for the removal of Turkish troops from the area.
Speaking in parliament on Wednesday, Alexis Galanos, a Greek Cypriot, said that negotiations on Turkish membership of the EU should be made conditional on such a move.
He said, “If Turkish troops are withdrawn, that would represent a step closer to finding a solution to the whole Cyprus problem.”
The coastal town, once one of the most modern and developed on the divided island, has been occupied by Turkish troops since the Turkish invasion in 1974. It is fenced off, empty and now widely known as a ghost town.
It is one of nine municipalities which have maintained their legal status but have been temporarily relocated to the government-controlled areas until the reunification of Cyprus.
The mayor and municipal council of these municipalities are elected by the refugees who used to live in them before 1974.
Read the full article here.
The mayor of the Cypriot “ghost town” of Famagusta has called on the EU to press for the removal of Turkish troops from the area.
Speaking in parliament on Wednesday, Alexis Galanos, a Greek Cypriot, said that negotiations on Turkish membership of the EU should be made conditional on such a move.
He said, “If Turkish troops are withdrawn, that would represent a step closer to finding a solution to the whole Cyprus problem.”
The coastal town, once one of the most modern and developed on the divided island, has been occupied by Turkish troops since the Turkish invasion in 1974. It is fenced off, empty and now widely known as a ghost town.
It is one of nine municipalities which have maintained their legal status but have been temporarily relocated to the government-controlled areas until the reunification of Cyprus.
The mayor and municipal council of these municipalities are elected by the refugees who used to live in them before 1974.
Read the full article here.
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