The 51st anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation… DİSK had launched a campaign for workers to donate one day's wages!

I celebrate the July 20 Cyprus Peace Operation, a great victory won against imperialism, and I respectfully commemorate our heroes, especially Rauf Denktaş and Bülent Ecevit, our martyrs, and express my gratitude to our veterans.
July 20, also celebrated as 'Peace and Freedom Day', is a holiday not only for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus but for the entire Turkish nation.

I believe it would be useful to share the following example regarding the attitude of the left during the process that led to the Peace Operation, the 51st anniversary of which we are celebrating. On July 20-21, 1974, the Board of Directors of DİSK (Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey), chaired by Kemal Türkler, met with the chairmen of the affiliated unions and announced that they stood with the government and supported all initiatives regarding Cyprus policy. DİSK, which launched a campaign for workers affiliated with member unions to contribute to the state's War Fund with at least one day's wages, also took the decisions to 'call on Türk-İş for cooperation in order to act together regarding the Cyprus incident and the state of war' and 'to request that the government implement a legal practice for workers to work one hour of overtime per day and for wages to be collected in this fund, if necessary' (DİSK magazine, Issue 12-13, August-September 1974, pages 9-10).

DİSK President Kemal Türkler also sent telegrams of support to Prime Minister Bülent Ecevit and Chief of General Staff General Semih Sancar:
"I hereby submit that the DİSK-affiliated union presidents, who met urgently today, have decided to support the landing made by the Turkish Armed Forces in Cyprus in order to protect the independence and constitutional order of Cyprus, and I present my respects.
KEMAL TÜRKLER
DİSK PRESIDENT"

Dr. Ömer Atagenç’s book “The Cyprus Policy of the Turkish Left in the 1960-1980 Period” (Detay Yayıncılık) is a highly informative work.

The Johnson Letter...

The 1960s… Pressures and persecution of Turks by Greeks in Cyprus increase. Following the bloody events and massacres, Turkey's intervention in the island comes to the agenda in 1964. The authority to send troops to Cyprus is unanimously granted to the government by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey on March 16, 1964. The USA, however, wants to prevent this initiative. On June 5, 1964, a letter signed by US President Lyndon B. Johnson reached the Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey, İsmet İnönü. This letter, written in a rude tone and containing threats, was obtained by journalist Cüneyt Arcayürek two years later, and the full text of the letter was published in the newspaper Hürriyet on January 13, 1966.

In his letter, Johnson reminded that Turkey was a NATO member, stated that a tension could arise between Turkey and fellow NATO member Greece, that a Turkish-Greek conflict would occur in the event of a possible intervention in Cyprus, and that Turkey could not use US weapons in this intervention. He stated that a possible initiative by Turkey could lead to the Soviet Union's direct involvement in the matter, and that in such a case, NATO might remain hesitant in defending Turkey (Johnson Letter, Haluk Şahin, Kırmızı Kedi Publishing, Istanbul, 2018).

İsmet İnönü responded to Johnson's letter on June 13, 1964, emphasizing that "the letter was disappointing in terms of both its writing style and content, and that it indicated significant disagreements on issues related to alliance relations" (Milliyet, January 14, 1966).

Abdi İpekçi, in his article published in Milliyet on January 16, 1966, stated that 'the meaning underlying the letter written by İsmet İnönü in a seemingly soft tone was as effective as a slap in Johnson's face,' and continued by stating that 'the points Johnson used as justification for his threats and warnings were refuted one by one and in a way that left no room for objection.'

In an interview he gave to Time magazine on January 14, 1964, İnönü had said, "If the allies do not change their attitudes, the Western alliance could collapse… A new world order will be established under new conditions, and Turkey will take its place there." These words, spoken before the letter, symbolized a stance… The letter ensured the questioning of the NATO-centered state of Turkish foreign policy, effectively acting as a wake-up call for Turkey.

At that time, Turkey did not have landing ships available for an intervention. It was weak in military and economic terms… What could not be done in 1964 was done in 1974, and Turkey, under the leadership of Bülent Ecevit, carried out the Cyprus Peace Operation on July 20. Thanks to the embargo and threats of our 'ally' the USA, our own projects such as Aselsan, Havelsan, etc., were implemented.

"The Southern Fortress of the Blue Homeland: TRNC"

We emphasized the importance of Cyprus in the book 'Competition in the Eastern Mediterranean' (Halk Kitabevi), which we published some time ago and which I edited. Retired Rear Admiral Cem Gürdeniz, who discovered and developed the 'Blue Homeland' concept, evaluates the TRNC as the 'Southern Fortress of the Blue Homeland' in his article in the book:
"The fundamental geopolitical law rejects the encirclement of Anatolia from the south, that is, via the Island of Cyprus, under any circumstances. This encirclement lasted from 1878 to 1974. The Nikos Sampson Coup attempted on the island on July 15, 1974, offered the only opportunity that would arise before Anatolia in centuries. Our ancestors, who used this opportunity very well according to the conjuncture of the day, secured a beachhead in Kyrenia within 120 hours. On November 15, 1983, they declared the TRNC. In the new era where the world is preparing for the Asian Age, this strategic gain, that is, having an independent Turkish presence on the island, has very valuable geopolitical consequences for Turkey."

It is necessary to be clear and determined regarding Cyprus, which is a national cause for a strong Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean. A strong and recognized TRNC has great importance for the future of Turkey and the future of the Blue Homeland. There should never be any concessions regarding the independence of the TRNC. A structure with equal status and two states on the island must be accepted.

It is time to be proactive in taking steps that will carry the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which has managed to survive as an independent state despite embargoes and non-recognition, further in the international public opinion!