AKEL declaration on the Black anniversary of the Turkish invasion
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 19th July 2016, Nicosia
Forty-two years have elapsed since 20th July 1974, the Turkish invasion and continuing occupation. AKEL condemns in the strongest possible terms, the crimes committed against the Cypriot people. We condemn the invasion and continuing occupation, the ongoing colonization of the occupied areas and the destruction of our country’s cultural heritage.
The invasion of Turkey was the second phase of the Cyprus tragedy, the result of the conspiracy against Cyprus that was organized and guided by the CIA and NATO. This conspiracy unfortunately found obedient servants and executioners in both Athens and in Cyprus. Without the treacherous actions of the Athens junta, Grivas and EOKA B the foreign powers and circles could not have implemented their plans for the partition of Cyprus. This is the historic truth that cannot be obscured or deleted.
The invasion by the Turkish army of Attila caused havoc and brought destruction. Thousands of dead, wounded, war-stricken victims, missing persons, enclaved people in the occupied areas and refuges uprooted.
We honor the memory of the fallen, who although betrayed resisted the Turkish Attila and defended sacrificing their very lives for the independence of Cyprus.
We express once again our full support to the relatives of our missing persons, insisting on ascertaining their fate. The relatives of the missing persons have every right to learn what happened to their loved ones.
We stand by the refugees, the enclaved people in the occupied areas and the war-stricken victims, underlining that the problems caused by the economic crisis must not reduce the assistance provided by the state to them. We stand on the side of the refugees in the struggle to ensure the right to return.
Despite the forty two years that have passed, our people are continuing the struggle for a solution of the Cyprus problem. We are struggling for a solution that will end the occupation, the colonization of the occupied areas and foreign dependencies; that will safeguard the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all the Cypriot people; that will lay the foundations for the prosperity and progress of the Cypriot people as a whole in an environment of permanent peace and security. This solution cannot be other than a bizonal, bicommunal federation, as provided for by the 1977 and 1979 High-Level Agreements and the relevant UN resolutions. A solution that provides for political equality as described in the relevant UN resolutions, for one state with a single sovereignty, a single international personality and a single citizenship.
AKEL remains firmly committed to the objective of the solution of the Cyprus problem through the procedure of the talks between the two communities. Negotiations with flexibility and the simultaneous adherence to principles is the only way to arrive at a positive outcome. Furthermore, it is also the only way for Turkey to be forced to prove in deeds and actions the “good will” which it proclaims, but which we have not seen in practice that it exists.
As AKEL we insist at the same time on pursuing the policy of rapprochement and we convey our militant greetings to our Turkish Cypriot compatriots, who in adverse conditions are waging their struggle.
In addition, we also assure our people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, that AKEL will remain a steadfast and staunch opponent of nationalism, chauvinism and of extreme right-wing ideologies which poison relations between the two communities.
Forty-two years have elapsed, the occupation and the de facto division continue to inflict pain on the body of our country, but also to bring back the memories of Black July in 1974.
The best memorial for those who sacrificed and lost their lives and the most important vow to the coming generation will be vindicated by the abolition of the barbed wires of division; by a free, reunited country that will ensure a safe and secure future for all its citizens, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins.
This is our vision, a vision that will continue to guide us in our struggles.