President Ersin Tatar spoke to TRT Haber: “The EOKA spirit and dream of annexing Cyprus to Greece continues to prevail in the minds of the Greek Cypriot side.”
In a statement to TRT Haber, President Ersin Tatar reacted to the Greek priests practicing with machine guns in a military zone, stating: “The EOKA spirit, the dream of annexing Cyprus to Greece always continues to prevail in the minds of the Greek Cypriots in Cyprus.”
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Stressing that the churches were given freedom during the Ottoman period, President Tatar stated that the Catholics had always suppressed the Orthodox church and that during the British period, the Greek Orthodox Church showed its power. Stating that economically strong churches had effective influence over the public and able to shape the politics of the country, President Tatar said that the leader of the Republic of Cyprus was Archbishop Makarios when the partnership state had been founded in 1960, and was the president of both the Turkish Cypriot people and Greek Cypriot people.
President Tatar added: “A priest became the president of Muslim people. There was an error here. If there are two different peoples in Cyprus and there is a partnership of two distinct peoples who are the founders of the republic, why does a priest become the president of both those peoples? The church played a leading role in EOKA activities. It helped the establishment of EOKA, provided funds, supported the attacks and genocide against the Turkish Cypriots and forced the Turkish Cypriots to migrate. There is religious fanatism and racism prevailing in the Greek Cypriot side and it is unfortunate that this mentality is continuing. The Church sees Cyprus as a Hellenic Island.”
The President commented on the widespread presence of guns in households in South Cyprus, adding: "It is said that there is at least one gun in every household in South Cyprus. . .it is also said that there are guns in the house of retired soldiers, bureaucrats, policemen and hunters. . .there are a significant number of priests who exercise their influence over the public". Noting that Greek Cypriot leaders continue to make stipulations in the present day at national ceremonies that 'Cyprus is a Hellenic Island' and that the island must be annexed to Greece, President Tatar stated that a partnership on the basis of equality in Cyprus has never been embraced by the Greek Cypriot side.
“The Motherland has always been on the side of the Turkish Cypriots," President Tatar said. "Turkey has never left us alone in the struggle for existence on the island. The sacred bonds between us will continue. The TRNC is also very important for our Motherland, and the struggle will continue with the same belief to coexist in these lands. The Republic of Turkey is the guarantor country and its presence on the island is vitally important".