The Turkish Presidency’s Directorate of Communications has published a book titled “Who Is To Blame? The Present Cannot Be Separated From the Past” in order to reveal the background of the Cyprus issue.

The archive book, first published in French by the Directorate General of Press and Information in 1974, has been re-released in Turkish and English in accordance with the original by the Directorate of Communications to shed light on the past of the Cyprus issue, which was intended to be forgotten.

The book creates a historical record by disclosing the truth through documents and photographs in opposition to the attempt to reduce the Cyprus issue to the events of 1974 while neglecting the persecution and great suffering inflicted on the island’s ancient and original inhabitants, the Turkish Cypriots.

Delving into the events leading up to and following the Cyprus Peace Operation, the book includes the facts behind the Greek Cypriot side’s propaganda, which portrays Türkiye, which has consistently favoured a fair and equitable solution on the island, as the source of the issue, as well as United Nations (UN) reports, news and articles published in various media outlets around the world, and photographs of the period.

In his introduction to the book, Turkish President Erdoğan refers to the Cyprus issue as “a multifaceted phenomenon in the realm of international relations that has been the subject of extensive negotiation and has yet to be resolved.”

He added that to contribute to a solution, it is imperative to document and explain the historical context and comprehend the sociological fabric of the island, which has been moulded by numerous ethnic and political disputes, geopolitical interests, and foreign interventions throughout history.

Noting that the Cyprus issue endures to this day due to the ethnic and political tensions that have existed on the Island of Cyprus, particularly since the 1960s, President Erdoğan emphasised that the historical injustices and attacks that the Turkish Cypriot people suffered offer a critical perspective on the issues that we confront today.

Pointing out that no resolution of the United Nations Security Council can justify narrowing the Cyprus issue to the events of 1974, thereby isolating and ignoring the Turkish Cypriots, the ancient and fundamental element of the island, from the world, President Erdoğan said, ”We, the Republic of Türkiye, sincerely hope that these restrictions, which are entirely political and lack any legal foundation, will be abolished. I would like to reiterate my vision of two equal states coexisting in a sustainable peace climate, based on the island’s realities.”

Expressing his gratitude to those who contributed to the book, which presents historical facts to international public opinion once again and is a valuable source in Türkiye and the TRNC’s fight against disinformation, President Erdoğan commemorated all martyrs, veterans, and heroes on the 50th anniversary of the July 20 Cyprus Peace Operation.

Meanwhile, the Turkish communications director on Sunday expressed hope that the book “Who’s to Blame? The Present Cannot Be Separated From the Past,” which explores the history of the Cyprus issue, will be well-received.

In a statement on his social media account, Fahrettin Altun said: “The book ‘Who’s to Blame? Today Cannot Be Considered Apart from the Past,’ which sheds light on the ethnic and political tensions on the island of Cyprus from the 1960s to the present with documents and suggests referring to the past to understand today’s problems, has been published in Turkish and English by our Directorate of Communications.

I hope this valuable book, which we believe will contribute to a better understanding of the true story of the Turkish Cypriots worldwide, will be auspicious.”