Via Fax: 212-416-2658, 2659
4 April 1998
The Wall Street Journal
To the Editor:
"Cyprus Woes" (Editorial 04/03/98) gets the issues wrong. The attempted coup by the U.S.-installed and backed military junta in Greece failed and was never a threat to Islamic Cypriots but none the less used by the Turks as an excuse to invade, not just once but twice.
With over 35,000 Turkish troops still occupying Cyprus -- far outnumbering the troops in the free Republic of Cyprus -- does it not stand to reason that the Cypriot Greeks have sought missiles for defense purposes?
Why should the Cypriot government be expected to negotiate with an illegal occupying force -- what other country would be expected to do so? Turkey, with one of the worst human rights records on earth, does not need encouragement in its intent to annex part of an ancient Greek island it has illegally invaded.
Michael C. D. Javelos Associate Director
Your editorial gets the issues wrong. The attempted coup by the U.S.-installed and backed military junta in Greece failed and was never a threat to Islamic Cypriotes. Nevertheless, the coup was used by the Turks as an excuse to invade, not just once but twice. With more than 35,000 Turkish troops still occupying Cyprus--far outnumbering the troops in the free Republic of Cyprus--does it not stand to reason that the Cypriot Greeks have sought missiles for defense purposes?
Why should the Cypriot government be expected to negotiate with an illegal occupying force? What other country would be expected to do so? Turkey, with one of the worst human rights records on earth, does not need encouragement in its intent to annex part of an ancient Greek island it has illegally invaded.
MICHAEL C. D. JAVELOS
Associate Director
American Hellenic Media Project
New York