In memory of Kavazoglou – Misaoulis
31st Mar 2018, “Haravgi” newspaper
Article by Nikos Kouzoupis, member of the C.C. of AKEL
Developments on the Cyprus problem are on hold and unfortunately are once more the centre of an extensive communication policy. The time that has passed since the collapse of the procedure in the summer of 2017 demonstrates that – in spite of the different narratives projected by the involved sides – new given conditions have been formed which if there is no mobility to deescalate the tension in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus and no resumption of the talks from the point they had left off, with the passage of time alternative positions and views will be perpetuated and consolidated, not only on an individual level, but also on a community-level consciousness. Such a development creates preconditions for moving away from the realization of the common goal which even to this date represents a majority current on both sides of the dividing line; a line which de facto maintains our homeland partitioned.
The imposition and consolidation of partition was pursued through persecutions, violence, murders and inter-communal clashes by extremist and chauvinist circles. This collimated in the betrayal committed through the Greek junta coup d’état and the occupation with the Turkish invasion that subsequently followed, which had the sole goal of implementing and fulfilling the anti-Cypriot NATO plans.
At the same time every voicewith in the two communities, which was talking about the need for peaceful coexistence, stood against intolerance and fanaticism, had to be silenced by every possible means. The Turkish Cypriot democrats and patriots mainly paid a heavy price in blood in their efforts to reverse the foreign-instigated machinations to promote separation and partition, both before the proclamation of the Republic of Cyprus and in its early years, but also after the tragic events of 1974.
The assassination of Kavazoglou was also a link in the chain of events. The murder of Kavazoglou aimed precisely at the promotion of the imperialist plans for the partition of Cyprus. Kavazoglou boldly raised his voice against separation and in favour of common cohabitation in Cyprus at a time when the extreme-right TMT organization within the Turkish Cypriot enclaves and through its extremist actions was rampant and already trying to manipulate the public opinion of the Turkish Cypriots.
The sacrifice of Kavazoglou and his close comrade both in life and death, Kostas Misaoulis, is a symbol of the rapprochement between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.
In honoring his memory today, we are sending out clear messages in every direction that this country is too small to be kept divided, but at the same time big enough for all its inhabitants.
Particularly today, where it appears that in both communities the voices in favour of perpetuating the anachronistic separation are growing louder and an attempt is underway to “idealize” a two-state solution and the finalization of partition, the enduring messages of the sacrifice of Kavazoglou and Misaoulis are voices that awaken the consciousness for every Cypriot, Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot who envisions the reunification of our common homeland and the abolition of the separation, for the peaceful coexistence of all the inhabitants of our island regardless of their ethnic and religious origin.
Our daily struggle for the realization of the vision for a reunited, independent and free Cyprus is the best memorial to all those who have sacrificed their lives in the fight against foreign conspiracies and machinations, against chauvinism and intolerance.
