Sir, - Susan Courtellas (October 31st), accuses me of having fallen victim to Turkish propaganda during my holidays in Northern Cyprus but, as I pointed out, one of the things I appreciated is that at no time was I subjected to propaganda while there, unlike my experiences in the south of the island.
My knowledge of Archbishop Makarios and his incitement of Greek nationalism on the island which began the troubles there comes from reading about it at the time it occurred. As I am 78 I was alive while it was going on.
I have every sympathy with Greek Cypriots like Susan Courtellas's family who were uprooted from their homes, just as I have for all the Turkish Cypriots to whom the same thing happened. I am well aware of the enormous Turkish presence on the island. It prevented us from visiting one or two very minor archaeological sites, but I assure you it is not welcomed by the Turkish Cypriot population either, though they regard it as a necessary evil, after the scorched earth policy used by Greek Cypriot attackers.
People on both sides are victims and have suffered. All I am saying is that it is great pity Greek influence in the EU denies people equal right to holiday in both parts of the island and that I personally much prefer to holiday in the north. Incidentally, I did not stay in a hotel stolen from anyone. It was a holiday complex built since the island was partitioned. - Yours, etc.
Carolyn Swift, Upper Leeson Street, Dublin 4.