A Reunited Cyprus Would Benefit All

Re “Let Turkey, Our Best Muslim Ally, Join the Club,” Commentary, Nov. 15: The 27-year impasse on Cyprus has been brought about by Turkey’s ongoing military aggression, which keeps part of the sovereign territory of the Republic of Cyprus under military occupation, the country forcibly divided and the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities artificially separated. Ankara’s obsessive efforts to dismember Cyprus have brought immense suffering to Greek and Turkish Cypriots alike.

We share Tom Grant’s concern for the welfare and isolation of our Turkish Cypriot compatriots, but their situation can only be improved in a reunited Cyprus, within the European Union, which our country is expected to join by 2004.

Supporting Ankara’s policy for the partition of Cyprus sends the wrong message to Turkey: that military aggression pays off and that the rule of law is irrelevant. The world community sends the right message by steadfastly rejecting Turkey’s acts of aggression against Cyprus. The federal framework for a comprehensive Cyprus settlement prescribed by U.N. Security Council resolutions and consistently endorsed by the international community is the correct way toward peace, security and prosperity for all the people of Cyprus. It is also good for Turkey and its European aspirations.

Miltos Miltiadou

Press Counselor, Embassy of the

Republic of Cyprus, Washington