Fury after TMT veterans invited to north ‘parliament’
Turkish Cypriot opposition politicians reacted furiously after TMT veterans were invited by ‘parliament speaker’ Zorlu Tore to meet inside the ‘parliament’s’ chamber on Wednesday ahead of the 66th anniversary of TMT’s founding on Thursday.
Tore had invited around 150 TMT veterans to meet inside the chamber, with TMT veterans’ association chairman Cemal Bayar among those addressing his fellow attendees with a speech.
He said the Cyprus problem “is continuing” and that “the dreams of enosis between the Greeks and the Greek Cypriots have been shattered but not eliminated”, while also adding his support for a two-state solution, “supported by the motherland, Turkey”.
He also called on the north’s ‘parliament’ to pass a resolution in support of a two-state solution, mirroring that which was passed in the Turkish parliament in July.
Ahmet Yildirim, who fought in the Battle of Kokkina, also spoke at the event, saying the battle in which he fought has been “forgotten”.
“535 students abroad left everything behind for the love of their country and the flag with not a thought for their own lives. We acted as one and the heart of the Turkish Cypriot people beat in Kokkina, but Kokkina is not even mentioned in commemoration ceremonies and speeches. I am sad, my heart is broken,” he said.
Tore also addressed those he had invited into the chamber, saying, “we have come to this day with the resistance initiated by TMT. No one should expect us to give up the TRNC or the Turkish army.”
He added that the “spirit and idea of resistance must be eternal and be passed on to future generations”.
“Only in this way can we be worthy of our state and our martyrs. Let no one call us nationalists or racists. We know where we come from and where we are going,” he said.
Once the meeting had taken place and was public knowledge, it was negatively received by opposition politicians, with opposition party CTP general secretary pointing out the procedure for inviting non-‘MPs’ into the chamber, and saying the procedure had not been followed.
“For the chamber to be used for a special purpose, a decision from the advisory board is required. According to the internal regulations, it is not possible for any non-governmental organisation or association to use the chamber,” he said.
He added that the fact this procedure had not been followed is “representative of a mentality that is skilled in lawlessness”.
“Zorlu Tore is trying to use the chamber for his own political desires, using a space which symbolises democratic values for his own personal purposes and wearing it out,” he said.
He added that a “mentality” in which some believe they have the right to ignore rules thanks to their position “is absolutely unacceptable”, and was keen to point out his belief that the TMT veterans “were not aware of this situation”.
“They were invited and naturally took part,” he said.
“However, I would like to make it clear that Zorlu Tore has exceeded his legal authority and his actions are unacceptable. I would like to state that the speaker must act within the framework, and I strongly condemn his putschist and lawless attitude,” he added.
Fellow CTP ‘MP’ Erkut Sahali was also incensed, saying “MPs are those who have earned the trust of the people as a result of democratic elections and this title cannot be transferred or gifted to anyone.”
“The last trick of those who call the state ‘supreme’ and reduce each of its institutions to dwarfism is to seat someone with a rosary in his hand in the seat the people entrusted to me,” he said.
He added, “let them continue to treat this state as if it were the gum in their mouth, the sandals on their feet, or money for bread. When the day of reckoning comes, the people will surely put an end to this wretchedness!”