"Cyprus protests increase and modernisation of Turkish occupation forces
CNA - United Nations-New York, USA - 22/6/2005 09:21
0920:CYPPRESS:02
Cyprus protests increase and modernisation of Turkish ocupation forces
by Apostolis Zoupaniotis
United Nations, Jun 22 (CNA) -- Nicosia has protested to the UN over the latest increase in Turkey's military hardware and personnel in Cyprus' Turkish occupied north.
In a protest letter to the Secretary General, Cyprus' Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Andreas Mavroyiannis points out that such moves would hamper any new initiative for a political settlement and raise serious doubts about Ankara's real intentions.
The letter, dated 14 June, said there is evidence that between January and May this year, ''under the pretext of rotation, 5,850 troops of the Turkish armed forces arrived and were deployed in the occupied area, while only 570 troops returned to Turkey during the same period.''
Similarly, during the past five months, tanks, armoured personnel carriers and artillery pieces were unloaded at the occupied port of Famagusta while only four tanks were withdrawn. "
Cyprus protests increase and modernisation of Turkish occupation forces
