At the same time. I cannot speak on this subject without noting my personal dismay over action by settlers and occupying military troops in the north that are having the effect of wiping out the cultural heritage of the Cypriot people. We have it on good authority that along with colonization of the northern third of the island by Turkish immigrants. the priceless artifacts and symbols of an ancient heritage are being desecrated. systematically erased and removed from Cyprus and sold abroad. The obliteration of the Greek Cyprus heritage in the north could ensure that Cyprus remain artificially partitioned forever. The Government of Turkey has made no secret. during the past several years. of the colonization of the occupied zone. So far. we are told. some 65.000 Turkish citizens have been brought to Cyprus to occupy land owned and formerly occupied by Greek Cypriots. The result of this is that almost every other person now in the occupied zone is either a Turkish settler or a Turkish soldier. It is very disturbing also to contemplate news reports that nearly 20.000 ethnic Turkish Cypriotsthe original Turkish Cypriotshave emigrated from the occupied zone and from their homeland under pressure from these settlers. I believe it is safe to say that the great majority of both Turkish and Greek Cypriots is opposed to this tragic armed camp at the "green line" which separates the nation as effectively as the Berlin Wall separates that city. It is a shameful status quo.
Keywords matched
immigrants emigrated