Cyprus was divided into Greek and Turkish sectors. The northern third of the island. claimed by Turkish Cypriots. was armed by a "Turkish Cypriot Security Force" and cleared of all Greek descendents. More than 200.000 Greek Cypriots became refugees in their own homeland. Fully 2.000 Greek Cypriots have disappeared without a trace. Once vibrant cities became ghost towns and battlefield encampments. Colonists have immigrated from the Turkish mainland. bringing the Turkish population up to 18 percent of the islands total. but they have sealed off fully 40 percent of the islands land. The Turks have established schools. coined money. and made every effort to wipe every trace of the burgeoning Cypriot culture from their stolen land. Nine months ago. satisfied that their claims would go unquestioned. the Turkish Cypriots declared themselves an independent people. unbeholding to the Greek Cypriots and having nothing to do with a unified Cyprus.
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immigrated refugees