PENELOPE SOTERIOU,
Sir, - In the travel piece on the occupied northern portion of Cyprus, published in your magazine of May 25th, David Shanks appears to lament the refusal of the Irish Government to allow direct flights.
The headline presents the destination as rustic and unspoiled, "cheap" and "virtually crime free".
But the reason Ireland will not allow the flights relates to past and ongoing crimes associated with the 1974 Turkish invasion and subsequent occupation. The European Commission of Human Rights has condemned Turkey for rape and torture of the Greek islanders. Turkey has been transforming the population by moving settlers from the mainland, which is a war crime punishable before the International Criminal Court.
The confiscation of property, perhaps the very hotels offered for tourists, has been condemned by the European Court of Human Rights. The destruction and pillage of archaeological treasures has also been condemned by courts around the world.
So, there is plenty of crime, if not perhaps the sort to bother tourists who are seduced by promises of sun, sand and cheap meals, indifferent to the human tragedy that surrounds them. Tourism to northern Cyprus only bolsters an illegal regime, endorsing ongoing human rights violations and war crimes. Please don't go. - Yours, etc.,
PENELOPE SOTERIOU,
Oughterard,
Galway.