EMU gave support to "Remove the  Isolations" Protest Rally

10 NGO's functioning in Gazimagusa, a private company and the Gazimagusa Municipality held a joint rally calling for the removal of the isolations, and the opening of the sea and air-ports    to direct flights and trade. EMU Senate and DAU SEN gave their support to the rally.

The rally that started at around 11:00 a.m. in front of the municipality, aimed at reaching out to the whole world and to make the voices of the Turkish Cypriots, who have been suffering from the isolations for the past forty years, be heard. Those who took part in the rally, walked from the municipality building all the way down to Namik Kemal Square.

Some of the activists carried placards that read “Lift the isolations, open the harbors” and “Talks to resume right away to reach a solution”. The mayor of Gazimagusa, Oktay Kayalp, addressed the activists that gathered at Namik Kemal Square, and read them the letter protesting the isolations imposed upon the TRNC. Kayalp said the letter was given to the British High Commissioner so as to be forwarded to British Prime Minister Tony Blair, also the term president of the EU.

Gazimağusa Mayor Oktay Kayalp said this was the beginning of the more comprehensive organizations to follow, and wished these would help lift the isolations, reunite the island and help establish peace.

The full text of the Letter

The full text of the letter that was given to the British High Commissioner so as to be forwarded to British Prime Minister Tony Blair reads as follows:

“Mr. Tony Blair, as you are very well aware, the Turkish Cypriots have been suffering tremendously under the inhuman isolations imposed upon them for the past forty years. These isolations cut off the Turkish Cypriot people from the world and hinder their economic, social and cultural development as well their integration with the world at large. Despite the fact that the Turkish Cypriots gave an overwhelming number of yes votes last year, unfortunately, the isolations are still continuing.

We, as the NGO’s functioning in Gazimagusa, want these isolations to be lifted as early as possible. The bylaws as regards the Direct Trade and Financial Aid Packages that have been put hold by the European Union Commission; it is vitally important for the Turkish Cypriot that these by-laws be approved since they would help lift the isolations. Unfortunately, the Greek Cypriot administration, after encouraging and persuading their people say “no” to the UN Plan, now they are hindering the approval of these two by-laws. The lifting of the isolations would help the Turkish Cypriot economy reach the level of that Greek Cypriot side and this imbalance in economies is one of the barriers preventing a solution on the island according to the Greek Cypriot leaders.

The hostile and uncompromising attitude of the Greek Cypriot leadership leaves no room for trust in the Turkish Cypriot side nor leaves any impressions of readiness for a solution. It is of vital importance that such destructive attitudes be abandoned. As a first step, The Greek Cypriots should give up preventing the two by-laws be put into effect, and help create a positive atmosphere that would facilitate reaching a solution in Cyprus. However, it is obvious that as long as the international community keeps on condoning the Greek Cypriot policy, it is by no means possible for the Greeks to change their attitudes.

His Excellency,

We are expecting you to support the efforts of the Turkish Cypriot side in trying to open their air and sea ports to direct flights and to international trade. Within this pretext, all limitations exercised on Gazimagusa Sea Port and Ercan Airport should be lifted before it gets too late. Thus, the gap between the economies of the two sides would diminish, and an easier and a less problematic re-unification of the island will be made possible. Our main mission is to resume the talks based on the Annan Plan and under the initiative of the UN Secretary General, and to materialize the United Republic of Cyprus and hence European Union membership.

Respectfully yours, “

The rally was organized with the collaboration of KAMU-SEN\ LIMAN-SEN, KTOEOS, Harbor Workers’ Union, Agents’ Association, Magusa Turkish General Affairs Union, Chamber of Merchants and Craftsmen, Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce, DAU-SEN and Gazimagusa Municipality.