AKEL C.C Declaration on Turkish invasion anniversary
AKEL C.C. 20TH July 2017, Nicosia
Forty-three years have passed since 20th July 1974, which was the completion of the Cypriot drama; forty-three years since the Turkish invasion and continued occupation. AKEL denounces for yet another year, in the strongest possible terms, the crimes that have been committed against the Cypriot people.
Turkey’s invasion was the culmination of the conspiracy against Cyprus which was organized and guided by the CIA and NATO, who had obedient servants at their disposal in Athens and Cyprus. Without the treacherous activity of the Greek junta, Grivas and armed underground EOKA B organization, the foreign forces could not have fulfilled their plans for the dissolution of the Republic of Cyprus and the handover of half of Cyprus to Turkey. This is the historical truth that cannot be obscured or deleted.
The Turkish invasion of Attila caused havoc and brought destruction. Thousands of dead, wounded, war-stricken people, missing persons, enclaved people in the occupied areas and uprooted refugees.
We honor the memory of the fallen dead, who, though betrayed, resisted the Turkish Army of Attila and defended with their very lives the independence of Cyprus.
We once again express our unwavering support and sympathy to the relatives of the missing persons, insisting on the verification of their fate.
We support the refugees, the enclaved people and the war-stricken victims.
We rally our forces together with the refugees in the struggle to secure the right of return to their homes and properties.
The anniversary of the forty-three years since the invasion comes at a time after the failure of the Crans Montana negotiations, which has distanced the goal of the solution.
AKEL remains firmly committed to reaching a solution through the procedure of the talks between the two communities. The goal right now must be to continue the procedure of resolving the Cyprus problem within the framework of the United Nations and to preserve the negotiating acquis. The approaches being heard on the part of Turkey about a Plan B and in favour of an exit from the framework of the United Nations, as well as positions calling for the rejection of Bi-Zonal Bi-communal Federation and all the talk about the need for a new strategy from both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot parties, are of great concern. This path leads only to the finalization of partition.
As AKEL, we insist on the policy of rapprochement of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, and we assure the Cypriot people that AKEL remains a staunch opponent of nationalism-chauvinism that are poisoning relations between the two communities.
Forty-three years onwards, the occupation and division continue to hurt the body of our homeland. The best memorial for those who lost their lives and the most important promise to those who will come will be the abolition of the barbed wire of division.
A free and reunited homeland that will ensure a safe and secure future for all citizens, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins.
This remains the vision that guides us and defines our struggles.
The Central Committee of AKEL
