Cyprus cannot confirm withdrawal of Turkish occupation troops

Cyprus cannot confirm the withdrawal of a battalion of the Turkish occupation forces announced in Ankara, a government official said on Wednesday.

The official told Xinhua on condition of anonymity that even if Turkey has actually withdrawn a battalion that does not substantially change the situation.

"Even more so as Turkey says that the measure is temporary and the soldiers will return to Cyprus," the official said.

Turkey maintains about 40,000 troops after it occupied the northern one third of the eastern Mediterranean island in 1974, reacting to a coup by the military rulers of Greece at the time.

A statement by Turkey General Staff said that a "well trained" commando battalion was moved from the occupied part of Cyprus to southeastern Turkey to reinforce Turkish troops fighting Kurdish militants.

The statement did not say how many troops were moved, but military analysts say a Turkish battalion numbers about 300 men.

It added that the troops moved from Cyprus will guard a base at Sirnak, after the troops of the regular guard of the base were deployed in active fighting against Kurdish PKK forces.

The statement was issued in response to criticism by a Turkish opposition daily which accused the government of endangering the security of the occupied part of Cyprus by withdrawing troops from the island at a time when peace negotiations are being held.

It said that the measure was only temporary and is not in any way connected with ongoing negotiations between the Greek and Turkish communities of Cyprus for a solution reunifying Cyprus.

It added that a substitute battalion will be sent to Cyprus as soon as it is set up.

Cyprus's government has said that a total withdrawal of Turkish occupation forces is a prerequisite for a Cyprus solution. Endit