The International Coordinating Committee – Justice for Cyprus has strongly criticized what it described as the Trump administration’s ‘appeasement’ of Turkey, warning that the sale of advanced US military technology to Ankara would undermine American interests and regional stability.
In a statement issued by its President, Philip Christopher, the committee argued that Turkey had demonstrated that it was ‘an unreliable ally,’ ‘not a dependable partner of America’ and ‘not a loyal member of NATO”.
The Cypriot organization called on Ankara to end ‘the illegal occupation of 38% of the Republic of Cyprus,’ noting that Cyprus is a member of the European Union and ‘a strong strategic partner of America.”
The statement continued by saying that Turkey was violating US and international law, including the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, and accused Ankara of continuing to possess the Russian S-400 missile system while undermining NATO.
It also accused Turkey of supporting Hamas, Hezbollah and ISIS, illegally occupying areas of northern Syria and northern Iraq, and undermining US foreign policy toward Iran.
“Turkey violates UNCLOS, the international laws of the seas with illegal maritime claims” it is added.
The Committee further noted that Ankara was oppressing minorities, including Kurds, Christians and Jews, and violating the international law of the sea through what it described as illegal maritime claims.
The statement highlighted Turkey’s continuing threat of ‘casus belli’ against Greece and accused Ankara of obstructing energy exploration and development by Cyprus, Greece and Israel.
‘Selling advanced military technology to Turkey rewards territorial aggression, minorities oppression, anti-Israel rhetoric and continued violation of US and International laws,’ Christopher said.
‘Appeasement did not work with Germany; it will not work with Turkey,’ he added, calling for Ankara to be held accountable and pressed to respect international law.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.