AKEL on the anniversary of the 2nd phase of the Turkish invasion – AKEL event on 14 August in Deryneia

14 August 2021, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

Today, our people remember once again the 14th August 1974, which marked the beginning of the second phase of the invasion, with which Turkey completed the de facto partition of our homeland, occupying 37% of its territory. Turkey, exploiting the treachery committed by the 15th July coup d’état, the disorganization of the National Guard and the open cover provided by the US-NATO and the notorious Kissinger, led the Geneva Conference to collapse and launched a new offensive, uprooting our people turning them into refugees, spreading death and destruction.

AKEL pays tribute to the sacrifice made by the hundreds of sons of Cyprus who defended the freedom of our homeland. It honours and stands on the side of the enclaved people in the occupied areas, the wounded and disabled, the relatives of the fallen and the missing persons, our refugees.

Today, our people remember that during those days the perpetrators of the tragedy – namely the Greek junta and the EOKA B coupists – instead of resisting the Turkish invading army – which they themselves had brought with their actions to Cyprus – hid in the rear and committed bloody massacres of Turkish Cypriot women, children and civilians.

The people of Famagusta in particular, these days do not forget that Famagusta was not…”lost”, but was betrayed and surrendered by the coupists to the advancing Turkish army, even though it was not originally in their plans. It still remembers the other crime committed by the coupists, who, after the city was occupied by the invaders, were broadcasting fake news calling on its inhabitants of Famagusta to return to the city. Hundreds fell, by doing so, into the hands of the Turkish invading army and many of them were murdered in the orchards of Perdzaina.

This year’s black anniversary of the second phase of the 1974 Turkish army invasion finds our country facing dramatic developments. The definitive partition of Cyprus and the colonisation of Varosha is more visible than ever in History.

AKEL addresses to all the Cypriot people a message of unity and struggle for the freedom and reunification of our homeland, in order to annul the partitionist plans of the Erdogan-Tatar duo.

A message of hope and struggle against disillusionment and compromise with the status quo.

A message in favour of a solution of the Cyprus problem on the agreed basis and framework.

AKEL is holding a symbolic event to commemorate the anniversary on Saturday, 14th August 2021, at the Cultural Centre of the Famagusta Municipality in Deryneia, and wreaths will subsequently be laid at the Memorial of the Fallen and Missing Persons.