Letter written to the UN Secretary General by Gültekin Alpugan, on behalf of Korean War Veterans of Turkey, on January 6, 2003.

Your Excellency,

As is known, Turkish Armed Forces have been involved in many peacekeeping and peacebuilding operations under the framework of United Nations in order to establish and preserve peace throughout the world. Turkish involvement in international operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Somalia, Kosovo and many other examples has always attained respect and admiration. The members of Turkish Army have never hesitated to shed their blood for the sake of peace and stability. To this end, many of us have sacrificed their lives. In some of these missions, such as the Korean War, we did  not think about the lives of our troops but the success of the mission.

Regrettably, it is hard to say that the international community, including the countries for whose sake and prosperity we sacrificed our lives, has so far given support to Turkey’s rightful causes as in the case of Cyprus.

We want a just, viable and lasting settlement in Cyprus. However, the framework of the settlement must not be described with cliché such as withdrawal of Turkish troops from the Island. Turkish Army had intervened in order to end blood shed in the Island. Objectively, today, no one can deny the fact that Turkish military presence in Cyprus has been the major guarantee of peace both in the Island and the Eastern Mediterranean.

Therefore, we believe that a settlement in Cyprus must respect the delicate balance between Turkey and Greece, established with the Treaties of 1960, for the perseverance of peace, stability and security in the region. Moreover, Turkish Cypriots must not think about their security and living under domination of other people, as was the case during the pre-1974 period.

We have utmost respect and trust to you as a person and believe that you will understand our rightful causes and concerns about the future of Cyprus. In this regard, we hope that you will give support to Turkish Cypriots and think that you will do your best in order to preserve the balance, peace and stability both in the Island and the region.

The best and last word for peace can be said by War Veterans.

Respectively yours,
On behalf of Korean War Veterans of Turkey
Gültekin Alpugan
Colonel (R)

 

His Excellency
Kofi A. Annan
United Nations Secretary General
New York