Calls for unity as Cyprus marks anniversary of 1974 coup

Cyprus marked the 48^th anniversary of the 1974 coup on Friday with memorial services, a special session of parliament and other events that paid tributes to the fallen.

Engineered by the military junta of Athens and their Greek Cypriot collaborators -Eoka B, the coup that overthrew President Makarios opened the door to Turkey’s invasion five days later.

A memorial service for the fallen was at held at Constantinos and Eleni cemetery, attended by President Nicos Anastasiades and the political leadership.

There the president stressed that democracy has been consolidated, and alhough there are disagreements there are no violent reactions as in the past.

And he spoke of a dual duty — to honour those who sacrificed their life defending democracy and to remember the high treason committed on July 15 and the harm it did to the country.

“Democracy has now been consolidated. There are no violent reactions like in the past. There are disagreements and these often can be intense, but they are not characterised by disrespect towards the Republic,” Anastasiades responded when asked about the lessons learned 48 years later.

Later on Friday, House president Anita Demetriou appealed for unity during a House special session on the anniversaries of the coup and Turkish invasion.

“We should leave ghosts and shadows of the past behind us and through unity defend our national interest and generate new perspectives leading to the reunification and liberation of our country,” she said.

“A viable solution is only the solution corresponding to the expectations of our people, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Armenians, Maronites and Latins,” the House president added, stressing that a constant struggle must be waged in order to gain the obvious, the liberation and reunification of Cyprus, as well as the full respect for the human rights of all legal residents of the island.

“National reconciliation does not negate, delete or alter the enormous responsibilities of the ’74 treason but creates the necessary and acceptable political framework of concord and national unity through which our struggle against the occupation and liberation of our homeland can become more efficient,” she said.

Addressing the session, Akel general secretary Stefanos Stefanou said that “against the background of painful and dangerous developments occurring in our country we most certainly have to look back at our history to decide how we should move forward.”

Stefanou warned that the division is being consolidated. With the Turkish Cypriot administration and Turkey promoting a two-state solution, it was imperative to stick to the agreed basis for the solution — bizonal bicommunal federation with political equality, as described by the United Nations. “The dilemma is federation or partition,” he said.

Disy president Averof Neophytou condemned the treacherous coup that offered Turkey the opportunity to impose its divisive plans adding that “the deceased, the injured, the missing persons, the crimes of war and the occupation do not allow us to forget.”

Commenting on the country’s current challenges, Neophytou cited Turkey’s violation of international law.

“Standing against us is Turkey who is willing to even sacrifice the true interests of the Turkish Cypriot community who stands to gain from a fair solution of the Cyprus problem. A stance incompatible with international law, European Union values and United Nation’s resolutions,” he said.

“Our aim is to pursue a functional and viable solution to the Cyprus problem on the agreed bizonal bicommunal federation framework without the presence of occupation armies or foreign guarantors,” Neophytou added.

“If we don’t care about our country no one will,” Neophytou concluded.

Diko president Nicholas Papadopoulos said that all of Cyprus’ struggles were of resistance “against slavery, colonialism, fascism and the occupation,” and that the struggle to save the Republic of Cyprus continues.

Edek’s Marinos Sizopoulos said the new geostrategic state of affairs dictates a review of the tactics to effectively deal with Turkey’s expansionist policy.

DIPA president Marios Garoyian said that the time has come to comprehend the national dangers and tackle them collectively, “or succumb to our fate” and be lost in the depths of history.

Charalambos Theopemptou, leader of the Cyprus Greens-Citizens Cooperation, referred to the “ugly and divisive climate” while Elam’s Linos Papayiannis, said Turkey directly threatens the territorial integrity and sovereign rights of Cyprus.