By ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ (GREEK) TÜRKÇE (TURKISH)
15 and 20 July 1974 are two important dates that left an impact and mark on the lives of the inhabitants of Cyprus and the region. They are also important periods in the lives of the peoples of Turkey and Greece. 15 July 1974 was the coup d’état carried out by the Greek Cypriot fascist EOKA B with the support of the fascist Greek Junta. The leader of this coup, Nikos Sampson, said in his coup declaration; “There is no longer the Republic of Cyprus, we have established the Hellenic Republic of Cyprus instead.” In other words, the aim of the coup was to eliminate the structure of the bicommunal Republic of Cyprus, which had federative regulations and rules in its Constitution. Thus, he declared his intention to abolish the 1960 Treaties of the Republic of Cyprus, which were concluded between the two communities and the parties concerned, namely Turkey, Greece and the UK, and which were also recognised by the UN. This intention was contrary to the principles recognised by international law. Therefore, on the basis of the Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus, Turkey, as a Guarantor country, carried out a military intervention on 20 July 1974 to repel this fascist coup in order to bring peace and calm to the two communities and the island. The UN, which condemned the 15 July 1974 fascist coup, did not condemn this step taken by Turkey.
In short, the 15 July’s fascist coup massacred dozens of Greek Cypriot democrats and peaceful people. It also created deep concern among the Turkish Cypriot Community, already in a troubled position regarding the future of the island; with the Peace Operation of 20 July, many Turkish Cypriot, Greek Cypriot, Turkish and Greek people and young people lost their lives due to the war. Tens of thousands of Turkish and Greek Cypriots left their ancestral lands where they had lived for hundreds of years, and migrated from North to South and South to North. A new bi-zonal situation emerged in Cyprus. With this new situation, a shared conclusion was drawn to transform the Unitary Republic of Cyprus—which had a Functional Federative Arrangement in its Constitution—into a Bi-zonal, Bi-Communal, Federal Republic of Cyprus based on political equality following the 1977 and 1979 High-Level Agreements between the two communities. This conclusion was also accepted by the UN and the entire international community. However, there is still no mutually agreed Treaty. In this complex environment of the world and the region, not reaching a mutual agreement does not bring peace to both communities of the island, despite the advantages they might have. Despite the advantages of recognition, those in the South do not feel peaceful and secure. Those in the North, on the other hand, despite having the power to establish security and governance, are isolated from the world in many respects and live in a state of insecurity caused by severe economic and social problems.
Let us never forget that Atatürk, who fought the National War of Independence and founded the Republic of Turkey as a result, prioritised the Lausanne Peace Treaty as the victor of the war. Subsequently, he pioneered the development of peaceful and friendly relations with Greece – with whom he had fought a war – coined as the “Atatürk-Venizelos” friendship. Today, the value of the Treaty of Lausanne and Montreux Convention, over which there has been much speculation for years, has been recognised once again on the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey. This shows us that it is very difficult to make progress on the basis of what is achieved through wars or political gains without a Treaty, mutually accepted by the parties concerned, and approved by the international arena. Therefore, on the anniversary of 15 July and 20 July, the importance of a mutually acceptable Treaty should be recalled. 15 July is also the 8th anniversary of the coup against the will of the people and democracy in Turkey in 2016. On this occasion, every coup against democracy and the rule of law must be condemned. The fascists who carried out the 15 July 1974 Coup in Cyprus had prioritised the dissolution of the Republic of Cyprus. On 15 July 2016, the fascist coup plotters in Turkey also tried to achieve their treacherous ambitions by bombing the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, which led and conducted the War of Independence and was established on the premise that sovereignty belongs unconditionally to the nation. For this reason, it should be the priority of every patriot to act by grasping the importance of a democratic state of law and peaceful coexistence where differences will be respected.
Source: 15THS JULY AND 20 JULY
