The 41^st anniversary of the Erenkoy Resistance, which marked the Turkish Cypriot peoples' struggle for existence, was celebrated yesterday (8 August) in Erenkoy.

In December 1963, the Greek Cypriots started an operation to wipe out the Turkish Cypriots from the island and eliminate Erenkoy. Reacting to these Greek Cypriot attacks, young Turkish Cypriot students living in Turkey and other European countries came to Erenkoy on small boats from Anamur in Turkey on 30 March 1964. On 6 August 1964, in response to the attacks carried out against them by 5,000 Greek Cypriot soldiers under the command of General Grivas 322 Turkish Cypriot students and 522 fighters put up a resistance. Coming to the aid of the Turkish Cypriot fighters on 8 August 1964, Turkish planes defeated the Greek Cypriots and ended the Erenkoy Resistance and as a result Turkish Cypriot losses were 12 dead, 4 missing and 32 wounded and Greek Cypriot losses were 53 dead and 125 wounded.

Speaking at the wreath-laying ceremony yesterday (8 August) at the Erenkoy Martyrs Cemetery, President Mehmet Ali Talat said this resistance symbolized the Turkish Cypriot peoples' patriotic action in their struggle for existence.

President Talat said the Erenkoy martyrs’ were the symbols of the darkest pages in the history of the Turkish Cypriots and were the guards of the Turkish Cypriots’ freedom.

Stressing that the Erenkoy Resistance was a major defeat for the Greek Cypriot army and became a symbol of the Turkish Cypriots' resistance against the Greek Cypriot attacks, President Talat said as a result of Turkey's support the Greek Cypriot side's efforts to impose an economic blockade to destroy the Turkish Cypriot side was unsuccessful.

Pointing out that the Cyprus problem did not start in 1963 and that the Republic of Cyprus, which was usurped in 1963, was still functioning, President Talat said the Greek Cypriot side who throughout history has been trying to assimilate the Turkish Cypriots was still continuing its usurpation of the Republic of Cyprus.

Calling upon the Greek Cypriot administration to positively respond to the requests made by the UN Secretary-General and to open the path for a settlement, President Talat said:

"In spite of everything and as the leader of a community that has proven its desire for peace and a happy future, I repeat my call to the Greek Cypriot leadership: with the bitter lessons we have learnt from the past, let us all get together and plan the future in peace. Let us make decisions with political will and desire and instead of trying to exterminate the people we represent let us secure their existence in the world. The island is big enough for everyone living on it. Let us protect our island from experiencing further pain and create better days for the children of those who have lost their lives for this".

Emphasizing the importance of protecting the rights that were granted to the Turkish Cypriots by the world, the President said under the pressure of the Greek Cypriot side, EU officials were making decisions without listening to the views of the Turkish Cypriot side and the Greek Cypriot leadership was also trying to extend its sovereignty to the north. He added that these efforts only encouraged the Greek Cypriot leadership's efforts for a non-settlement.

Highlighting that the Cyprus problem could only be concluded with a partnership of two equal sides under the UN umbrella, President Talat said the Turkish Cypriot side's efforts for peace would continue. He said: "We are determined to continue the struggle for freedom that was left to us by our martyrs. We will definitely achieve this and our island will be an island of peace and tolerance, and not an island of war".

Following the recent visit to the TRNC by a group of US congress members, another delegation of 7 advisers from the US Congress and Senators arrived in the TRNC last night (8 August) as the official guest of the TRNC Chamber of Industry.

Within the framework of their TRNC visit, which will continue until 14 August, the US congressional delegation will meet with TRNC state and government officials, political party leaders and NGO representatives. The delegation will also attend briefings on the Cyprus issue as well as visit the universities.