Arsonists Desecrate Greek Church in Northern Cyprus

The attack is interpreted as a "provocation" during a period when Turkish-Greek relations continue to improve and the Cypriot Turks are close to becoming integrated with the international community.

TRNC Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat described the attack as an "organized attack". He emphasized that its objective was to make the world look down on the Cypriot Turks. Talat insisted that the Cypriot Greek ritual would not be canceled.

Meanwhile, TRNC President Rauf Denktas evaluated the longing of Cypriot-Greeks to pass over to the Turkish side as a provocation.

The incident at the Holy Mother Church took place yesterday morning around 3:20 a.m. TNT was used to break down the church’s door, and then a Molotov *censored*tail was thrown inside. The attack caused major damage to the church, shattering windows and damaging the ceiling. Firefighters were able to prevent the church from burning to the ground. TRNC officials are investigating the scene.

"There cannot be a bigger evil than this against Cypriot Turks," said Talat as he condemned the incident.