The Expo Times Editorial team is happy to announce the rival of our READERS FORUM. Readers from all over the world are welcome to express their views on issues raised by articles published on this web site or issues they think are relevant to Africa, both in the Diaspora and the mainland.

The Editor, Expo Times

27/04/2003

Dear Editor,

I will appreciate it very much if this comment is published in your widely read news.

I am a reader of your popular web page and have the pleasure to comment on an article I read on Peter Anderson's Sierra Leone web of March 24, which read, I quote "The Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) UK and Ireland Branch said Monday it would establish a legal defense fund for jailed Interior Minister Sam Hinga Norman, with an immediate £3,000 contribution from the party's branch fund.

I want to express my disappointment at this information. Is it that we Sierra Leoneans will never learn a lesson? that we do not love ourselves? That we do not respect ourselves? that we do not sympathize with ourselves? That we will ever remain to be hypocrites?

It is high time people put away party sympathy and focus on realities to enhance development in our beloved country of Sierra Leone.

Is this not the man that was shown on the widely watched video tapes that unfolded combat shooting at civilians? Is that the responsibility of an interior minister at the peak of conflict? Was it not his responsibility to calm down the riot and brutal attacks on peaceful citizens? Or is it that his so called military training received was to be used against the nation and people he was supposed to defend.

This man is a brut and unpatriotic. He is one of those bogus politicians in Africa that misuse power.

I can still recall the incident in Moscow when this man visited that city to buy arms. Suffering and stranded Sierra Leonean citizens thought an angel had come to console them from the frequent racial prejudice and harassment that they undergo daily. At a meeting negotiated by the student leadership, they were able to meet with Mr. Norman. To the dismay of the poor and frustrated students, this man openly uttered that he was not in Moscow on the mission of meeting with disgruntled students.

He listened to students who honestly voiced their concerns about the ill-treatment they were receiving from the Sierra Leonean embassy in that city. He made it known to the students that the Ambassador Mrs. Melrose Kai-Banya was his daughter (relationship difficult to understand) and blasted hungry students and threatened them that they will be arrested and persecuted in Sierra Leone if they dear return home.

He also mentioned the 1999 student strike at the Sierra Leone embassy in Moscow following the death of one of the student leaders. He openly accused Sierra Leoneans of rioting against the state and state's economic interest and warned that persecution was awaiting them in Sierra Leone.

This man may have had hidden agenda in the country, he has no good reputation in our country. It is very appalling to hear from his party(ruling party) members trying to manipulate his freedom when he is facing justice. There should be no question of organizing to fund his release. One thing the party members fail to realize is that, this is not an entirely a national issue. It is an international issue that they should give chance to. Sam Hinga Norman is not better that his fellow accused. If they committed the same crime, they should be tried in the same manner. Please give chance to the legal practitioners to honestly perform their duties if you love that country.

Sincerely yours, Dr. Paul Amara, Rochester, NY, USA

Sharing My Experience About Northern Cyprus - 20/12/2002

Dear Editor,

As a Sierra Leonean, I would like to share my experience and knowledge with your readers about Northern Cyprus where I am currently pursuing an undergraduate programme at the European University of Lefke. I would be grateful if the following article is published in your esteemed newspaper or magazine.

It is of great privilege to me to study here in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) since it is providing me with an outstanding education that is equipping me with the necessary knowledge and skills which could enable me to contribute meaningfully to my homeland in time to come.

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is an Island State located in the Eastern Mediterranean 60 kms from Turkey. It is a small country with only an area of 3355sq.km and a population of 210,000. However, it offers a great variety in terms of flora and fauna and topography. The official language is Turkish but English is widely spoken. The Island's system of government is parliamentary democracy and it is entirely a secular Republic.

The Island of Cyprus has always been a focus for power struggles because of its location. It has been ruled by more than two-dozen nations during its long turbulent history. Its rulers have always been the strongest powers in the region - whichever nation achieved dominance over the others in this part of the world became the ruler of Cyprus as well. The Egyptians, Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines, Louisianans, Venetians, Turks and British are among those whose rule influenced the island most with regard to religion, trade, commerce, culture, way of life and politics. As a result, a wealth of art and architecture lie on the island. Ancient theatres, fortresses, aqueducts, mosques, churches and tombs are among the many highlights. It is often said that if you scratch the soil anywhere in Cyprus you will find traces of its civilisations.

The island was part of the Ottoman Empire for almost four centuries. When the Ottoman Empire entered the World War I on the side of Germany and emerged defeated, the island became part of the British colonies. In 1960, Cyprus became independent when the Republic of Cyprus was found in accordance with the international treaties based on the political and sovereign equality of the two nation peoples - the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots. However, in 1963 the Greek Cypriot partner attacked the Turkish Cypriot partner with the aim of annexing the whole island to Greek (Enosis). As a result the 1960 partnership republic was destroyed. The United Nations then sent in troops in an attempt to protect the Turkish Cypriot people, creating the Green Line, which effectively divided the two inhabitants. Between 1963-74, the Turkish Cypriots were forced to live in enclaves and under inhuman conditions. In 1974, Greece aided Greek Cypriots' coup aimed at Enosis prompted Turkey's intervention to restore peace and protect Turkish Cypriots population. The intervention of Turkey was based on exercising the rights and obligations underlining the 1960 Turkey treaty of Guarantee.

The Turkish Cypriot people resistance of the Greek Cypriot ethnic cleansing campaign between 1964-74 founded the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in November 1983, by exercising their right to self-determination. These people have been ruling themselves since 1963 in one form or another, and their evolution into full Statehood with a democratic system of government based on the supremacy of law has been no less than remarkable. Today, the people of the TRNC enjoy a popular democratic system with respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and liberties.

Recently, on 11 November 2002, the UN Secretary General Mr. Kofi Annan presented the two sides with a document titled "Basis for Agreement on a Comprehensive Settlement of the Cyprus Problem". With regard to this, the President of TRNC (Denktaº) stated categorically that the Turkish Cypriot
side would study the document extensively before responding to it. However, he further pointed out that extensive and unjust territorial concessions envisaged by the maps attached to the Annan document at the expense of the Turkish Cypriot side could provide a serious stumbling block at the talks. Since they have been for years striving to achieve a just and lasting settlement of the Cyprus question. They strongly believe that such a just and permanent settlement should be based on political and sovereign equality and status of the two peoples and their States at all levels.

Meanwhile, the basic human rights of the Turkish Cypriot people that were blatantly and systematically violated between 1963 and 1974 are still according to them being denied against them due to the continuation of "inhuman Greek Cypriot embargoes" in all spheres, including politics, trade, communications, culture, sports and education. And today, it seem the Greek Cypriot side is pursuing with full vigor a campaign of hostile propaganda and defamation against their internationally recognised universities in an effort to further isolate them form the rest of the world.

However, with its five universities that are fully committed to modern 21st century concepts and methodologies, Northern Cyprus emerged as a major higher educational center in the region. It hosts over 23,000 full-time students from 74 different countries with a qualified staff from over 25 countries.

I believe that all the aforementioned factors make TRNC the perfect spot for tourism and perfect choice for higher education. In this light therefore, I consider myself lucky to be studying in Northern Cyprus and at the same time enjoying the traditional hospitality of the Turkish Cypriot people and the natural beauties of the island.

Yours sincerely,

Mohamed Ahmed Sesay
Cyprus