>

That's just stupid!!!!
Korneliou said that as soon as the EU Civil Protection Mechanism was activated, the Republic of Cyprus expressed readiness to contribute to the mission of the rescue team: "We got the answer from Turkey, 'Thank you but we won't take it'."
"There is the issue of non-recognition and it seems that in matters of natural disasters and human tragedies, the political position often prevails," he said. 
“We express our sincere condolences to the families of the victims,” the statement said. “Natural disasters do not distinguish people and nationalities.
“We stand in solidarity with all those suffering and the families of the victims and we are ready to contribute to the humanitarian efforts of the international community.” >

I’d love to see every nations aid contingent on them accepting it from those they don’t like. I get that a ton of humans hate each other across this planet but events like this are a chance to overcome constructed issues and unite around the common humanity we all experience in the extreme. >

You assume Erdogan wants to overcome them. He doesn't. He prefers to wedge them further apart, because he's a bad person . >

If the situation in the country is A-OK, internal and external relations are great, people like Erdogan get overthrown quickly, it's in his best interest for Turkey to have whatever enemies it can make. He doesn't hate EU so much I believe, but he needs a story and invisible enemy to accuse more than he needs EU funds. >

Erdogan is human scum and I would not be surprised if he faces overwhelming challenges to his power after his diabolically shitty handling of this catastrophe. >

Erdogan, can you just stop for a moment with your nationalism and let your people be saved? >

According to some Turkish sources. The Greek rescue team had to wait for hours at the airport.
Here is a picture of them waiting at the Incirlik base in Turkey at night (note they flew to Turkey during the day). >

This must have been heartbreaking for them.  Fully aware of how much help was needed and being held up for political reasons. >

Fortunately, they are now helping.
---
I saw similar pictures from Israeli rescue team waiting at the airport. Maybe it's sheer incompetence from the Turkish authority rather than a political move. >


Maybe it's sheer incompetence from the Turkish authority rather than a political move.

I could totally buy this, Erdogan doesn't seem that bright. The system is just a mess. >

He purged virtually every competent person from government/academia/civil service after his faux coup. This is on him indeed >

God, I hate dumb leaders. I'm so sorry, having dumb leaders is truly pain. >

I thought I read a headline the other day "Erdogan relieved that earthquake is now the worst thing to happen to Turkey" but I guess I just daydreamed it. >

Even Ukraine has offered to help. In the middle of being invaded. Turkey wtf >

And Sweden offered to help despite their NATO bid being held up atm. >

Sweden sent money, equipment (tents, blankets etc), crisis experts and medical staff. Sweden also directed the EU's help as it's currently president of the Council. >

Fuck Erdogan, why so many assholes are in positions of power in the world. >

Think the question is better framed as "why are so many assholes in positions of power terrified of giving up their power?" If you read through Erdoğan's history, there are some decent things in there. Same even with Putin. Has to be reasons for their popularity, after all. But then they just go absolutely batshit clinging on to power.
There ought to be an island where all these dictators can go where they can receive immunity, so they'll be tempted to resign, but it has to be completely isolated from the outside world. Like Napoleon but with a huge dome over it so they can't escape. >

I doubt it would work. Most of the time, these people are after power. They are not seeking refuge. There is nothing in it for them if it is power that they seek, and they simply would not resign. >

This is the best tl;dr I could make, original reduced by 81%. (I'm a bot)


Turkey has refused the offer by the Republic of Cyprus to send a rescue team to help with post-earthquake efforts, according to the Director General of the Cypriot Ministry of Foreign Affairs Kornelios S. Korneliou.
"Two Turkish Cypriots are not answering. The crisis management department continues to try and trace the fate of other Cypriots who are in Turkey but we have no other indication," Korneliou said.
Residents in Nicosia, the island's divided capital, described how they were jolted awake when it struck at 3:17 AM. Thousands of homes have been destroyed in areas affected by an earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria, UNICEF spokesperson James Elder said at a press briefing in Geneva Tuesday.


Extended Summary | FAQ | Feedback | Top keywords: Turkey^#1 families^#2 Cypriot^#3 earthquake^#4 Syria^#5 >

It's not Turkey refusing the help, it's 100% Erdogan.
The guy is pure human filth. >


It's not Turkey refusing the help, it's 100% Erdogan.

Unless he traveled back in time and invaded Cyprus in the 70s then no, this isn't about him. >

No one’s saying he invaded Cyprus, only that he’s likely the key figure in maintaining the hostility, or if not he’s a main figure it not taking the high road and accepting help when your people desperately need it. >

He's likely not the key figure. The policy predates him and most likely has lots of staunch support. 
Replace erdogan and the policy will almost certainly stay exactly the same. >

Erdogan cannot help being an asshole no matter how bad the situation is. It's in his nature. >

Seriously, Turkey?? This is from CYPRUS, and instead of saying 'thank you' you decide to literally let people die? >

This has to do with international relations, and Turkey has no relations with Cyprus and occupies a third of the country. >

And instead of appreciating that the country they occupy is offering them help, they choose to refuse it... >

They don't recognize the country is the issue, not even the occupation. Turkey pretends Cyprus doesn't exist, so they can't accept aid from something that doesn't exist. >

It exists enough to invade it and send thousands of Turks to occupy it for almost half a century. >

That is the reason turkey pretends it doesn't exist, yes. >

It's a wonderful thing that countries are volunteering help. He's got enough  countries that he can play pick and choose? That's downright dirty. Divert it to Syria then >

No, not syria either.  assad is demanding that all aid be handed over to his army for distribution by them.  How much of that aid you think will go opposition? >

Wait, for real? What’s the source on this so I can read it? >

Turkey willing to accept help from Greece, why not Cyprus, don’t be stupid jerk Erdogan. >

Key difference is that Turkey recognizes Greece as a country and has relations, they do not recognize Cyprus at all. Turkey only recognizes the Turkish occupation in the northern third of the island, not the actual Cypriot government. >

Someone tell Turkey to turn their RNG off. >

Turkey literally cut their island in half with a DMZ that stands today and Cyprus was still willing to help... but Turkey isn't ready for that level of human kindness yet >

Not Turkey, Erdogan. As a dual Turkish and Cypriot citizen with close family members who had to live through horrific things back in the day I believe such natural disasters call to disregard such political matters and man made borders and accept any and all help especially from those closest to the crisis. There is a time to not forget, but this is a time to come together. >

Good on you. Not everyone would see it that way >

I’m sure the people gasping for air between rubble wouldn’t care what nationality the person that saves them is. >

For everyone here saying "This is not Turkey, this is Erdogan being an asshole" - the reason why Turkey is turning down this aid is because they don't recognize Cyprus as a country at all. They only recognize the illegitimate Turkish occupation government in the North. 
This would be no different if a Kemalist was in charge of Turkey right now, this has been the policy of Turkey since their illegal invasion in 1974. >

Where are the endless resolutions, condemnations, and BDS type actions against Turkey for its illegal occupation of Cyprus? There is no question that Turkey has no claim of any kind to steal land from Cyprus. Yet all there is is silence. >

sorry fellow neighbors, our administration is piece of shit.. they are trying to push their idiotic agenda while hundreds of thousands slowly dying under rubble.. im deeply sorry, thank you >

In times of disaster stupid petty politics should be set aside but alas let’s face the majority of world leaders aren’t very smart >

Pathetic manbaby politics at play while people die under collapsed buildings.
What a leader Erdogan is. >

this is so fucking petty. >

Cypress took the high road.  Politics has to be separated from humanitarian assistance and rescue/recovery.   We are dealing with the lives of people.  The area requires all assistance offered for it.  The sooner the better.  Dumb move on Turkey. >

I know this is Turkey, but that is chicken shit. >

it's cause of erdoğan >

This is sad, but unsurprising. The US declined aid from Cuba after Hurricane Katrina. It seems pretty common for states to decline aid from nations that they have diametrically opposing views with. I personally think humanitarian aid shouldn’t be refused regardless of the source. The potential for letting people suffer out of a sense of national pride is unnecessary. >

Is that really the same though? I think that because there is an embargo on Cuba, it would take an act of congress for anything regarding accepting aid or any other goods/services from Cuba--they can barely agree on giving/accepting aide between states. An embargo doesn't really leave any room negotiation wise--and if congress hasn't acted on it in something like 50-60 years, I see no reason to expect it will anytime soon. >

At least the US recognizes Cuba. Turkey does not officially recognize Cyprus since the coup d'état in 1974, so it follows a policy of pretending Cyprus doesn't exist. >

Dumbasses. >

Turkey decides to fuck over its people by rejecting offers of support by yet another avenue. >

How childish >

Bit sad really - hard to quantify but surely that aid could have saved at least a single life and it's thrown away for nationalist reasons >

I remember maybe 15 year ago there was a tremendous earthquake in Iran.  A city called Bam?
When asked about the possibility of the US helping them, one Iranian official said "Yes. help is help".   And the US did ship in help as I recall, along with may others. 
Sometimes things happen that require politics to be put aside.  Seems that Turkey values an image more than their people. >

Childish? >

The whole world would be such a better place without filth like ErDOGhan or Putler sitting on leading positions.. They are the same kind of inhumane, hatefull dictators. >

Hmm
It seems beggars can be choosers >

People are dying and the ones that are there are often seen digging by hand.  They need the help. >

The hate between the Turkish and the Greeks rivals any hate in the world. >

Comments on threads like these really do a good job of reminding me why I hate r/worldnews. >

Of course they did. >

I bet people had an opinion on this. Thank the regime, I can bet normal people would thank any form of support >

Turkish nationalism is a hell of a drug.
People from countries that used to be big, important empires are just insufferable sometimes. >

ffs >

Erdogan is an asshole. He is literally destroying the legacy of Ataturk. >

I just wathed Turkish people crying that there is noone to help them while their families are under the rubbles.  I guess Turks doesn't care about their people enough to accept aid. >

change turks with erdogan
and dont say you voted him >

Wow what a piece of shit Erdogan is >

Fuck Erdogan, hopefully victims and their families remember this… but I think it’s in vain, his government is corrupt. >

Jeez 🙄 get over yourself Turkey, you invaded them remember!! Yet they still want to be decent human beings and help. >

Fak Turkey bigots for choosing politics over Goodwill. >

People you enslaved for 400 years have the kindness to offer to help you in your time of need, but please, keep you nose upturned in refusal. Lol >

you know, that is just ridiculous! Fucking karma biting turkey in the ass! I know i know but still, it makes sense. The leader is a fucking dick and this is the a dick move. >

Nice to know that you think tens of thousands of Turkish, Kurdish and Syrian people deserved this and are getting served with “karma”. Wtf is wrong with you >

fair enough. But im not really the bad guy. Their leader who refuses to allow Sweden to join NATO, who refuses help from other countries and is an oppressing dictator is the real problem. But if it makes you feel better, blame me. I’ll sleep fine. >

Yes exactly, Erdoğan is the problem here. So why did you basically imply (with your poor choice of words) that the people dead and suffering right now deserve it because of HIS decisions? You know what you said was out of line. >

because those people voted and support him.and for the record, i really don’t give a fuck what you think. Everybody in Sweden is thinking the same thing. Be a dick, get treated like a dick. >

Have you actually spoken to anyone from Turkey? They HATE him. He was not voted in, the elections are rigged so he can keep his position of power and he punishes anyone who speaks against him. He’s a dictator. I have nothing against Sweden, I’ve visited many times and think it’s a lovely country, sad to know everyone is as short sighted as you. You’re the only one speaking hatefully here. >

Dammmmnnnnnnnnn. >

Erdogan is refusing, not Turkey. I lived in Turkey for a year, Turks don’t like Erdogan as much as it seems. >

Correct. We hate him. Elections are rigged >

Turkey shouldn't have refused the aid plan from Cyprus since over 25M people needed shelter & food & medicine to survive. A genuinely wonderful government should put up with its political ideas for the time being to take care of its people.  It means that the government should be an unselfish organization. Erdogan's government should think carefully about this. >

Screw Turkey if they don’t want assistance from their neighbor. If you can’t set aside differences when your country is in shambles then you don’t need help from anyone else. >

Oh my God, Turkey. You're people are dying for fuckssake. >

Turkey? You mean the turkish president >

It's the turkey people that allow that piece of shit do the things he does. Same as the Russian people. >

No lmao. The people that vote for him are like old Turkish people above 50. The rest of his votes are fake, it’s all rigged, he’s a dictator. Nobody in Turkey likes him >

Then they should do something about it. Not sit around and say, oh we don't like him but there he is. >

What an ignorant thing to say. Do you know how dictatorships work? The government is corrupt. They will send you to jail if you speak against the government.You don’t understand that Turkish citizens are powerless >

They need to take a page out of Iran. They are having the balls to stand up to their government. The Turkish people now realize that if they don't deal with their government, their government will let them die. If the Turkish people truly want change, then they need to do something themselves. I'm a big fan of, America is going to stay out of your bullshit because y'all need to learn to exist without America being the world's police. >

Americans think they’re the main characters of the world. We weren’t going to ask for America’s help to help “police” our country anyway. Iranians are getting murdered and sent to jail, you’re acting like it’s really simple. It’s easy for you to say chilling in your western country with your white picket fence >

All I'm saying is, stop complaining, do something. Figure out how to fix it without jail time or death. If you are not willing to change things, then leave. Yea, we view ourselves as the main characters because if shit fucking hits the fan, who are you going to call for? Americans. Why? Because we, mostly, have our shit together and can respond helpfully to anyone. We went through decades of shit. We have that white picket fence because of those brave men and women who sacrificed everything to help shape America the way we are now. >

But accepted Israel’s ? Why refuse Greece ?? Get over your past so your people can get the proper help they need >

At this rate, they'll have to be essentially invaded to get help to the people who actually need it. >

Rerun of 2020 i see >

This is on Erdogan. >

This is like if China was refusing humanitarian help from Taiwan. Yeah it's dumb. But of course they would. >

विनाशकाले विपरीत बुद्धि >

Every hour rescue workers are stopped is an hour of suffering added to suffering victims. >

Fuckin take the help dumbass >

The help is for the people not the government. >

What a fucking dick. If a member of his family was fighting to survive under rubble, would he want any help available? This is just cruel. >

Probably not, that man hasn’t got a trace of humanity in him