TR

President Ersin Tatar pays tribute to first commander of the Turkish Resistance Organisation (TMT), Colonel Ali Rıza Vuruşkan: “He undertook very important duties in critical phases of our national struggle for freedom and independence.”

President Ersin Tatar paid tribute to the first commander of the Turkish Resistance Organisation (TMT), Colonel Ali Rıza Vuruşkan.

President Tatar said in a written statement:
“I pay tribute and express my gratitude to the first commander of the Turkish Resistance Organisation (TMT), Colonel Ali Rıza Vuruşkan,  on the 43rd anniversary of his passing, who played a significant role in the resistance of the Turkish Cypriot people against the EOKA terrorist organisation and the aspiration of the Greek Cypriots to annex the island of Cyprus with Greece.   
 
Retired Colonel Ali Rıza Vuruşkan made great sacrficies and efforts, serving as the first commander of the TMT as one of the founders of the organisation, which was formed on August 1, 1958, when he visited Cyprus as an inspector of Türkiye İş Bankası with the code name 'Ali Conan'.  Shortly after his arrival, the TMT became a strong, determined and unbreakable resistance organisation.
 
'Ali Conan', who left his post in 1960, went to Erenköy with our Founding President Rauf R. Denktaş on August 1, 1964 and took part in the Erenköy war with the code name 'Akıncı'.  He wrote the legendary Erenköy struggle that was put forward in the face of Greek-Greek Cypriot struggle, together with the mujahideen and the people of the region.
 
Retired Colonel Ali Rıza Vuruşkan undertook very important duties in our national struggle and in the critical phases of our struggle for freedom and independence where he guided our people, TMT soldiers and our mujahideen.   
 
Retired Colonel Ali Rıza Vuruşkan, whose will and determination to resist inspired our struggle, will continue to live on. I respectfully pay tribute to Ali Rıza Vuruşkan and all those who sacrificed their lives for our national cause.  May they rest in peace.”