Speech by Andros Kyprianou, Secretary General of the C.C. of AKEL, at the 18th Congress of EDON
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 4th January 2016
I stand on this podium filled with great joy and pride. In your faces, the faces of the future generations of the Peoples Movement of the Left we see your honesty, unselfishness and militancy. We see the will to fight for the world of tomorrow; the world of peace and socialism. This fills us with optimism and confidence for the future.
On behalf of the C.C. of AKEL I extend warm greetings to the 18th Congress of EDON. I congratulate you all for its successful conduct; for the maturity with which you discussed all the issues of concern to young and the Organization; for the strength you have shown in exercising self-criticism about your work. We congratulate you for your discipline regarding the procedures and principles that govern it at every Congress; for the unity with which you have worked over these two days. I am sure that with the same unity and determination you will also work to implement your decisions in practice.
You are entitled to be proud of EDON. Not only because the Congresses of EDON are real forums for discussion, reflection and a hub of activity. Be proud because EDON has dreams, but is not idle. EDON doesn’t exist just to organize Congresses or have elections once a year. Be proud because EDON has a substantial political presence wherever the heart of youth beats – in schools, in universities, in areas where young people gather. Be proud because EDON has gained a high position in the hearts and minds of young people; because it is in the frontline of the social and political struggles; because it at the forefront of the struggle of our people for liberation and reunification and in the vanguard of the cause of rapprochement of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot youth.
In his introductory speech, the General Secretary of EDON referred to the organizational crossroads facing the Organization. He is correct in saying that young people’s depreciation and denigration of politics and political involvement, but also the attacks we have faced as a political spectrum in recent years, are the causes of this organizational crossroad.
As time passes, every logical person understands the reasons for these attacks which we came under during the D. Christofias term of office. I say this without under any circumstances underestimating or downgrading mistakes that were made, and weaknesses and deficiencies that were exhibited. But it is difficult to find an attack of similar intensity to that conducted against D. Christofias and AKEL in order to degrade the proposals that had been put forward in the negotiations. It is difficult to pinpoint one criticism on these proposals which didn’t have at its essence the deep ideological position that “it is better for the situation on the Cyprus problem to stay as it is, with a half a state but one that is purely Greek” and that “the Left wants to Turkify us”. Today many people, and especially President Anastasiades, recognize the value of these proposals ∙ their unifying, functional and realistic significance. As now gradually a large section of the political forces are beginning to realize that the progressive Turkish Cypriots were and will remain our natural allies in the struggle for the reunification of our country. However, if we now fail to understand the anguish and aspirations of the progressive forces of the Turkish Cypriots, Cyprus, this time, will be irreparably harmed.
The neo-fascists had to attack our Turkish Cypriot compatriots for some to admit even in words that we need to change things in education. I say even in words, because in practice the educational reform, which progressed during the previous Christofias government, is being buried every day by the Anastasiades Government. As for the messages of education, we wonder – do they remember what they told us then? Do they remember – now when they pretend to be shaken by the actions such as the attacks against Turkish Cypriots – what they were saying back then when AKEL was stressing that the youth should be nurtured and educated with the correct messages? They told us that we want to impose false consciousness, to downgrade the national identity and lots more…
In any case, we are entitled to claim one thing. We came under a fierce attack during the Christofias administration because we told the truth – the bitter historical truth about the crimes committed against our people by the nationalists and chauvinists. We talked about the need and possibility of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots living together in their common homeland ∙ our Cyprus. We also told the truth about for the main guilty ones of the boards of the Cyprus economy; about responsibility of the administrations of the banks; about the poor supervision of the then Governor of the Central Bank; about the scandalous coverage and support of all of these by political parties and a section of the mass media. Back then, because this is what their petty-party considerations dictated, everyone blamed us. Now more and more people understand the criminal mistakes committed by the banks. Now the first ones to accuse them are those who were providing cover to them back then. They think that in doing so they will once again fool the people; that they will exonerate and cleanse themselves of the unacceptable support they offered them back then.
Today we are in opposition. But we are qualitatively different from them. For us the cause of Cyprus and not power is paramount because AKEL is a patriotic and responsible force. That is why we have supported from the beginning the process of the negotiations for a solution of the Cyprus problem, exercising in good faith criticism there and where we felt it was necessary. Now negotiations are underway, following a period of not only stagnation, but also regression. AKEL will continue to monitor developments and to judge accordingly. The important thing for us is not to cultivate illusions among the people, illusions that supposedly tomorrow morning we will have a referendum for a solution. Or that the day after that we will wake up in a unitary state, better than that of 1960. The most important for us is the solution that is discussed be based on principles; a solution based on the agreed framework; a solution that will liberate us from the occupation and that will not allow any imperialist forces to interfere in our domestic affairs; a solution that will isolate any fascist and chauvinist elements, not allowing them to undermine it.
The transformation of the Republic of Cyprus must lead to a united state based on a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation; a united state with a single and indivisible sovereignty, a single citizenship and a single international personality, with political equality – a solution without guarantees and rights of intervention and with the human rights and fundamental freedoms guaranteed for all.
Lately it is often heard from certain circles and forces that they want a solution, but not dissolution. They leave innuendos that we are working tirelessly to supposedly for the dissolution. I am very sorry but the slogan although cheap isn’t convincing. Our position is clear and recorded long ago.
Is it possible that we ever accept an agreement that will dissolve the Republic of Cyprus? Never. Those who argue that this is where we are now moving towards simply don’t know anything or they have not understood what we have been saying for years, or they are just interested in the next elections and not in the future of the future generations. There are two ways to create federation: The first is to integrate separate states and the second is the transformation of a unitary state into a federal one. In the first case, we are talking about the succession of a state, namely the abolition of existing states and the creation of a new federal state. In the second case, we have a continuation of the existing state. This basically ensures the continuity of the state’s participation in international transnational organizations (for example, the UN, European Union), as well as the continuation of the international treaties binding the state. When these two elements coexist in effect the continuity of the state is ensured, while various internal components, even drastic changes such as the change in state structure, as well as symbolisms, that is to say the anthem or the flag, do not constitute a succession of a state. Everyone knows all too well that as AKEL we insist on the transformation of the Republic of Cyprus.
Our people for so many years have had enough of empty slogans and rhetoric. That’s enough – no more. No more playing games with our people’s hope for peace in the country that gave birth to them. Currently there has been progress in the negotiations because of the utilisation of the Christofias- Talat convergences. But we have a long way to go yet. If we manage to record substantive progress on the property issue, then we will get within range of an agreement on the issues relating to the internal aspects. We’ll then get into the final phase, which is the chapter of the territorial issue, security, guarantees and demilitarization. This is the point where Turkey will be called upon to demonstrate that it really wants a solution to the Cyprus problem. Turkey has unfortunately not so far shown a will in deeds. Moreover, some of the positions of the Turkish Cypriot side, as proclaimed in public are clashing with the convergences. Let’s leave aside the grandiose statements and let us focus on the substance of the problem.
As previously announced, the Foreign Minister of Turkey has extended an invitation to AKEL to visit Istanbul in order to discuss the Cyprus problem. This invitation is recognition of the important role our Party can play on the Cyprus problem. It is a recognition of the responsible and patriotic role we as AKEL are playing, although we are in the opposition.
Our response to the invitation is positive. We will go to Turkey, given that we will previously consult with the President of the Republic. We will analyse in Turkey, in a well-documented manner, the timeless and long-standing positions of the Greek Cypriot side and particularly of the National Council. We will attempt to convince because a solution that will be based on the agreed framework and that will meet the aspirations of both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots will be to the benefit of Turkey itself as well.
We will go there with confidence that we have justice on our side; that we have arguments to convince them of the correctness of our positions.
Let’s exploit to the end the coincidence and situation that exists: the fact that within the Turkish Cypriot community there is a leadership that wants a solution and that the well-intentioned interests of Turkey also compel the same, for several reasons. Let us all rise to the occasion and let us work together for the future of Cyprus. Let us work to formulate well-documented arguments in order to convince them of the correctness of our position.
The solution of the Cyprus problem is probably the only “investment” which our people can really build on. For now, unfortunately, we hear lots of talk from the Anastasiades government about investments, but we don’t see any investments – unless in saying investments they themselves mean the selling off of public utility organizations. The truth is that this government has given another meaning to words. They call privatisations “reform”. “Competitiveness” means wages at the end of this year will see their value go twenty years back. In other words, a few big businessmen decide and the government executes orders. They term “anti-unemployment policy” the extension of shop working hours, which did not reduce unemployment but rather intensify the exploitation of workers who work twelve hours a day and are paid a pittance, while exerting unbearable pressure on small businesses that are closing one after the other. They call “tidying up” the dismantling of public health; “radical social policy” means humiliation they have forced thousands of our fellow compatriots to go through with the submission of the application for the so-called Minimum Guaranteed Income. Single parents, the disabled, poor and low income pensioners and public assistance recipients are still waiting for a reply to their application and whether they can live even a tolerable existence. They call a “success story” the impoverishment of the people. It is characteristic that 10% of wealthiest of Cypriot society have increased their income over the last three years by 3.4%. In contrast, 90% of Cypriot society has seen their revenues decrease by an average of 8%. This is the result of the class policy pursued by the Anastasiades Government, that is to say, the rich getting richer and the poor poorer.
However the biggest con was summarized during the presidential pre-election campaign by Mr. Anastasiades in the word “I pledge”. How many pledges did he make before the people? We are referring to pledges such as those regarding the haircut on bank deposits, privatizations, for an improved Memorandum, collective handling in governance and much more. All this was done just to steal the vote of the people. When he achieved this goal he forgot everything. The only pledge the DISY- Anastasiades Government is fulfilling is towards its anti-social philosophy and the Troika.
How many “pledges” has he given before the youth of this country? He pledged meritocracy. He pledged that in the allocation of the state budget, one per cent, that is to say 75 million euros will go towards youth policies and boosting employment. He promised that once elected will approve as an initial emergency measure, the special enhancement of the student care package. He pledged to support young couples through the promotion of paternity leave, with all the corresponding benefits, pledges for the creation of child care facilities and other dependents. He pledged the suspension of the loan payments for those who are unemployed.
Out of all these pledges, how many has Mr. Anastasiades kept? He appointed to various institutions all those who served him before the elections. He allowed as a result of the choices he made by clashes and confrontations that insult the prestige of institutions. He killed the future of young people in their country and forced them to emigrate en masse to search for work abroad. He cut the wings of students with the cut of the student grant. The support of young couples remains a forgotten pledge. Suffice to remember, Mr. Anastasiade’s began his pre-election speeches with how much he believes in young people and how high among his priorities is the policy for the young generation.
All these are the best argument for those young people who view politics with scepticism or even worse, who have decided that they will not go to vote. They feel an aversion to political involvement and politics. However not all policies are the same. There is the policy that sent them to sleep one night and then woke them up with promises the next morning by destroying their future. It is the policy that decided it wouldn’t only not enhance support for their studies, but that this support will be reduced further; the policy that is threatening the foreclosure of the family home. This is the policy of the Anastasiades-DISY government.
On the opposite, there is AKEL that resisted. AKEL resisted and will continue to resist all these policies. AKEL looks young people in the eye telling them the truth. AKEL is a force which waged and is waging a struggle to protect the family house and small commercial properties; struggling to save public wealth and assets. AKEL is the force that is trying to bring order to the chaos caused by the implementation of the Guaranteed Minimum Income; that is submitting concrete proposals to alleviate the small owners from taxation of immovable property, proposals on education, tourism, energy and rural development.
On the opposite, there is AKEL which has vision a for Cyprus, fighting so that the day will come for a reunited federal Cyprus which will be a beacon and an example for the whole world. This Cyprus will be a modern example of the harmonious coexistence of two communities of different ethnicity, language and religion, who will co-manage their common state. It will be a country that will have managed to liberate itself from the armies and channel all its power and resources to social investment and economic growth.
For all these reasons abstention cannot be an option for young people. Abstention does not change anything in their favour. It only permits others to decide for them and in their name. I am sure that all the cadres and members of EDON will wage the battle persuade Cypriot youth of this truth in the forthcoming parliamentary elections. AKEL has never won any political battle without the contribution of EDON, without the hard, relentless and selfless work of each and every member and cadre of EDON. I am confident that this time the youth of the Left will make a difference and show the way.
Our political opponents may accuse us of a lot of things. In the years that proceeded they have even questioned the indisputable moral advantage of the Left, but they have never dreamed, until now, to strike at EDON. Instead, they bow their heads and admit that if there is a youth which every time raises the bar higher, then this youth is the youth of EDON. They admit that if there is a youth who articulates serious political discourse that can mobilize and rise up thousands, that can carry on its shoulders, concepts with great historical meaning and significance, such as the radicalization of young people, rapprochement, anti-imperialist and anti-fascist action, it is EDON. It is the red hearts that fill schools, student auditoriums and streets and struggling for the radical change! It is the fists that come together to build the Cyprus of peace and reunification! The voices rising up to build the new world!
This is the youth of the Left!
This is the youth of EDON, the youth of Cyprus!
Long live the 18th Congress!
Long live EDON!
