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Iraq latest victim to Greek Cypriot bullying - 05 March 2009

05 March 2009, London: An international summit to be held in North Cyprus, planned in conjunction with Iraq�s Transport Ministry to generate vital investment for the rebuilding of the country�s entire transport infrastructure, was cancelled yesterday. The cancellation came on the 45th anniversary of the start of the embargoes against Turkish Cypriots (on 4 March 1964), following intense pressure from the Greek Cypriot authorities on the Iraqi Government not to participate in the event. Delegates attending included some of the world�s leading multi-national groups such as Rolls Royce, Volvo, Arcelor Mittl, Maersk and EADF.

As many of the 150 delegates started to arrive at the prestigious Rocks Hotel, Kyrenia, on the eve of the two-day conference, the British partnered Iraqi summit organiser Multaqa Al Iraq was forced to cancel the event at the 11th hour following �bullying� tactics from South Cyprus, which prevented their keynote speakers from travelling to North Cyprus. In a dramatic development, after boarding their flight from Baghdad to Istanbul yesterday, the Iraqi Transport Minister and his nine staff received a last minute call from the Iraqi Foreign Affairs Ministry instructing them to abort their visit, even though the summit had the complete agreement and backing of the Government of Iraq until the events of yesterday.

Mounting speculation suggests that Greek Cypriot authorities, alerted to the event through unsuspecting delegates informing immigration officials about the nature of their trip after arriving at Larnaca airport, intervened via the Greek embassy in Baghdad to put pressure on the Iraqi government not to participate. They claimed the event was being held in the internationally unrecognised Turkish Republic of North Cyprus and so �unlawful� for Iraq to attend. South Cyprus� actions follow years of similar intimidations against organisations and nations.

UK based human rights group Embargoed! voiced its frustration at these developments and ongoing efforts to obstruct those living, working or studying in North Cyprus. Chair Fevzi Hussein described the situation as, �akin to South Africa�s apartheid conditions.� He continued, �As long as the international community continues to turn a blind eye to these bullying tactics, the South Cyprus authorities will continue to prevent Turkish Cypriots and their friends from enjoying a normal life doing normal, lawful activities. For 45 years we have witnessed daily the Greek Cypriot efforts to remain dominant in Cyprus. They care not who they obstruct or adversely affect, as long as they do not lose control. Even an event where the clear benefactor was going to be Iraq - a country that has been blighted by war and bombed to smithereens � can fall victim to their mean and selfish actions. They should hold their heads in shame."


The group has registered a formal complaint with the British Foreign Office. Britain, who is a Guarantor power to Cyprus, was told to �earn the right to that status� by protecting the rights of both Britons and Turkish Cypriots who continue to be affected by �ongoing acts of Greek Cypriot discrimination and xenophobia�. A British government official told Embargoed! they were unaware of the 'Iraqi Transport Summit' or that it involved British businesses, but would investigate the matter.


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