http://www.akel.org.cy , mailto:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
http://www.akel.org.cy/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=8509&tt=graphic&lang=l3
http://www.akel.org.cy/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=8509&tt=graphic&lang=l3
Statement by the Secretary of the C.C. of AKEL Andros Kyprianou on Democracy Day
Press Office C.C. of AKEL, 7th December 2012, Nicosia
Today Cyprus is honouring Democracy Day, the day when Archbishop Makarios returned to Cyprus in 1974, five months after the coup d'état of the Greek junta and EOKA B that paved the way for the subsequent Turkish invasion. In honouring Democracy Day we honour all those who fought fascism and the Turkish invader; all who showed real heroism when they rushed to defend the Democracy and Cyprus, even though they had few means at their disposal, though they knew they were marching into a battle that was from the beginning betrayed.
No matter how many years go by, AKEL will continue to talk about the betrayal which sold out Cyprus to Turkey. Since tomorrow we may see various comments written about AKEL "inciting passions", "clinging to the past" and so on, we reiterate the following: today no one seeks revenge. What we must do is not to forget how we arrived at the occupation. We are not clinging on to the past because it's not necessary. We all are living the consequences of the occupation daily. We must remember history so that the memories of 1974 are engrained in our consciousness. We must not forget that at that time, a minority decided to impose its will through the force of arms. Its supposed patriotism ultimately served only American - NATO imperialism and Turkey. Grivas, the Junta of Greece, EOKA B and P. Giorkatziis, who are all named in the Finding of the House of Representatives on the File of Cyprus, managed in the end to fully serve NATO and Turkey's goals. They led Cyprus to the brink of destruction and opened the door to the Turkish invader.
39 years after July 1974, we are experiencing at first hand the tragic results of treason. The wounds remain open. The barbed wire divides our country and our people cannot live in freedom and united on the land that gave birth to the Cypriot people.
It is a fact that the Cyprus problem has passed into the background due to developments on the economy. However, we should not forget not for a single minute that Turkey is still occupying Cyprus. Any step, either in the social or economic field cannot be long-lasting as long as half of our country is under occupation and the nightmarish scenario of partition daily threatens our future, the very future of our children.
Therefore, and in view of the upcoming presidential elections, we should give a clear answer to dangerous compliant and subservient positions, as well as to false patriotism and empty rhetoric. These approaches will only serve Turkey's goals. The proposal for a loose federation, which Mr. Anastasiades will try to promote to the people if elected and negotiations from scratch which Mr. Lillikas has without a second thought proclaimed will both lead precisely to the same result, that is to say, to partition. As then, so now, they are trying to convince the people to follow them, posturing as consistent patriots. However, the Cypriot people do have a memory and a criterion. It remembers very well who were the ones that integrated politically and gave posts to the protagonists of the coup d'état, as did the party of Mr Anastasiades. It recognizes that it is not possible that today people such as Mr. Lillikas are promoting themselves as saviours of the people, who are backed by ultra-right and fanatical elements, precisely because their views are identical.
The path we must choose is none other than the one Stavros Malas is showing; the path of consistency and devotion to principles; the assertion of all that was agreed with the international and Turkish Cypriot community; a just, workable and viable solution of the Cyprus problem, for a solution that we agreed to with the international and Turkish Cypriot community since 1977 and that we have confirmed repeatedly in the years that followed. That solution provides for a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality, as set out by the United Nations Resolutions.
