Top commander: French deal with Greek Cyprus illegal

Chief of general Staff Gen. Yaşar Büyükanıt criticized France late monday for signing a defense and military agreement with Greek Cyprus.

"This deal is a clear violation of international law,” Büyükanıt told reporters at a reception held on the occasion of the Turkish Cypriot Armed Forces Day.

“If you take a look at such agreements unilaterally, the Greek Cypriot administration cannot sign such a deal… The two sides, both France and Greek Cyprus, violated international law,” he added.
In March, the Turkish Foreign Ministry similarly showed adverse reaction to France and argued that such attempts had a negative impact on efforts aimed at a comprehensive solution to the decades-old Cyprus problem.

“Greek Cyprus – which is not recognized by Turkey – has no authority to conclude such deals,” said the ministry and emphasized that Greek Cyprus did not represent the entire island.

Gen. Büyükanıt declined to comment on the Turkish government's reaction and repeated, “As a soldier I say that the agreement stands contradictory to law.”

The top general said the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) will protect Turkish Cypriots forever.

"Turkish Cypriots are facing an illegal isolation. We strongly condemn those who see the TSK that protects the existence, the life of the Turkish Cypriots, as an invading force," Büyükanıt noted.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief of Staff Gen. Ergin Saygun said a high-level military official from the Pentagon visited the Turkish military headquarters with regard to U.S.-made weapons turning up in the hands of outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) terrorists.

Saygun said the U.S. official denied claims that the United States was providing the PKK with weapons and that said Washington delivered weapons to Iraqi military officials. Saygun also said around 5,000 American youngsters fled to Canada in an attempt not to join the U.S. army.

“I think now they (U.S. officials) understand how our soldiers in southeastern Anatolia feel,” he said.