Cyprus

Debate between Earl of Courtown and Lord Maginnis of Drumglass

Thursday 2nd July 2015 Lords Chamber

[The Earl of Courtown]

The noble Baroness poses a number of questions. Basically, we are prepared to consider options that would help to encourage progress in these talks.

[Lord Maginnis of Drumglass (Ind UU)]

My Lords, is there not a predisposition in some circles to overlook the 1974 Greek-Cypriot rebellion against President Makarios, led by EOKA-B under Nicos Sampson’s leadership; and to ignore EOKA-B’s Akritis and Ifestos plans to ethnically cleanse all Turkish Cypriots? Would it not be more realistic and helpful if we were to cease to refer to the so-called Turkish invasion as though it were the beginning of history and recognise that 1974 brought 40 years of relative peace after the previous 11 years of ethnic cleansing? Is it not time that we had balance in how we approach this problem?