ANKARA: Turkish Premier Bulent Ecevit told Pressmen this afternoon [July 20] that the Turkish landing on Cyprus … today was proceeding successfully. … By nightfall, Turkish paratroops, marines, and an armoured force had secured the port of Kyrenia, the … road to the capital, Nicosia, Nicosia’s airport, and most of the town itself. Turkish paras were dropped and a marine force had also landed later in the Limassol area and were last reported rapidly advancing into the interior meeting little resistance. Cyprus Radio, however, denied this.

[Meanwhile, news agencies from Islamabad add,] Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto ... sent a message of support to his Turkish counterpart, Bulent Ecevit, who acknowledged it with profound gratitude. In his message … the Prime Minister said: Pakistan stands by Turkey in its decision to fulfil its obligations in accordance with the 1959 agreements and render all possible assistance. … An official spokesman said Prime Minister Bhutto’s message was verbally conveyed to the Turkish Ambassador Erdem Erner who was called to the Foreign Office soon after the news of the landing of Turkish troops in Cyprus broke.

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2024