Speech of AKEL Parliamentary Representative G.Loukaides at an AKEL event to honor the cast of the film “The Milk of Peace”

 

7 September 2022, Geroskipou Municipality, Paphos

“Dear Andreas, Mehmet, Birghoul and Cemal,

Dear fellow Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots,

Comrades and friends,

Tonight’s event can only evoke feelings of emotion in each and every one of us. It is for this reason that I am particularly honored to be with you tonight to honor ordinary compatriots who, in the conditions of the brutality that every war witnesses, have given meaning to the word “humane approach”. We are here tonight to highlight a hidden history of brotherhood and friendship in our homeland, which we want to be an example that should be emulated in the relations between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.

In a country where, sadly, we suffered had more than enough tragedies, drama, pain and human loss, we are now in need of stories that showcase genuine love for our homeland and highlight the noblest aspects of human nature.

One such story, of ordinary and everyday people, was that of Mehmet and Andreas, which has been vividly conveyed in the film “The Milk of Peace” by Cemal Yildirim.

In that black July of 1974, our country experienced the horrors of war. Turkey, seizing the opportunity generously given to it by the American-engineered coup of the Greek Junta and EOKA B, invaded our country. In Agios Andreas in Nicosia, like in so many other areas of Cyprus, fierce battles were raging. On both banks of the river Pediaion, there were outposts of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots lined up. Opposite each other, as those planning the treason wanted our people.

Between the clashes, a temporary ceasefire was ordered and Turkish Cypriot soldier Mehmet Hulus returned home to see his newborn baby girl. Birgiul – then only a few months old – could not drink milk with lactose. Her parents, Mehmet and his wife, had to get special powdered milk from a pharmacy. However, the supplies had run out and the two Turkish Cypriot parents had no access to the necessary supplies, so the newborn baby was in dire need of her milk.

In desperation, Mehmet, putting his life in danger, decides to do something unthinkable.

Mehmet’s need was met by the Greek Cypriot soldier Andreas Efstathiou. Andreas, on a bicycle, roamed around war-torn Nicosia seeking to find a pharmacy to buy the right milk. For three months, during the war, a Greek Cypriot soldier provided a Turkish Cypriot with baby milk to support his child.

As a result, even when the war was going on, compatriot soldiers established and maintained friendly relations. Hostilities could not overshadow the universal human ideals of brotherhood and friendship.

Birgiul eventually survived and, keeping her father’s stories alive, a few decades later set out to meet and thank the unknown Greek Cypriot who saved her life. Thanks to the valuable efforts of investigative journalist Sevgul Ulundag, Birgul’s wish came true. In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, Mehmet and Birgul were reunited with Andreas.

The story of two ordinary people, however small it may seem in the face of the never-ending march of history, expresses the will for peace and reconciliation. The symbolisms are numerous and distinct. The messages it sends are moving. When I first met Andrea a few weeks ago he started talking to me constantly and enthusiastically about his daughter. Soon, I realized and was moved I must say, that he was talking about Birkiul, with whom they maintained constant and continuous communication.

The photograph of the two compatriots, symbolically united by Birgul, unequivocally reminds us of the history and, above all, the future of our country. Two Cypriots who overcame the barrier of separation and met again, not as rival soldiers as the NATO plans had defined them in 1974, but as friends from the old days. In their midst a child who grew up carrying the thread of history from the past to the present and the future.

The signs of time are evident. They were young when they first met and they meet again as adults, family men in their sixth decade of life. War and nationalism robbed them of nearly five decades of friendship.

How many friendships have they parted?

How many families were mourning in black and how many of our countrymen were lost?

How much pain can you fit into books and project movies?

But the story of Mehmet and Andreas will forever be a balm to the wounds of our country and a signpost for the future because as the lyricist-poet Lefteris Papadopoulos says, to the music of Theodorakis, in the song by Sidiropoulos, “Defend the child, because if the child is spared, there is hope”!

The child has been saved, Birkiul is here with us tonight.

There is hope and our duty is to keep that hope alive.

By combating nationalism in all its forms and manifestations, and above all by standing up to the political proponents of nationalism-chauvinism in both communities.

We keep hope alive when we build through our action and initiatives, such as tonight’s event, with the rapprochement between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, watering the tree of friendship, cooperation and peaceful coexistence of our people.

The flame of hope remains alive, as long as together we forge a common front of struggle for the reunification of our homeland, as long as the prospect of a peaceful resolution of the Cyprus problem remains alive.

It is in this context that the story of the “Milk of Peace” is particularly important. Its content works on two levels: on the one hand, it reminds us of everything we have lost due to the invasion, occupation and division. The friendship of the two communities and the coexistence on the human and popular level is developed through everyday interactions and communication.

On the other hand, history acts as a trigger for the future, giving us hope for tomorrow. Partition cannot and must not be the permanent status quo on our island.

Not when we have so many common stories to tell.

Not when it poses a permanent threat and a mortal danger to our people, children and grandchildren.

Not when it violates International Law and the human rights of our people.

Not when a piece of land remains abnormally divided by the force of arms.

The future of our homeland will first and foremost depend on the solution of the Cyprus problem. It is our duty to the memory of those who have sacrificed their lives, and above all to the future generations, not to stop working for a single moment to deliver a free and reunited homeland, within the framework of a just, viable and workable solution.

A solution within the framework of UN Security Council resolutions, international and European law, which guarantees human rights and basic freedoms for all the Cypriot people. A solution that will ensure the effective representation of the two communities in the institutions and governance of the country, liberating it from the occupying troops, intervention rights and the anachronistic system of guarantees. The solution of a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality is the only agreed and official basis for a solution. It is the basis on which we rely on and are working for.

In the face of history and today’s reality, AKEL has never hidden between the lines or behind ambiguous concepts. We confront things with realism and, above all, with clear positions. That is why, on the Cyprus problem, while we understand that the main, the primary responsibility for the ongoing occupation of our homeland lies with Turkey and the provocative stand of Erdogan and Tatar, at the same time we recognise that the Anastasiades-DISY government bears grave responsibilities because through its regressions, its negligence and political adventurism it has facilitated Turkey in fulfilling its plans against Cyprus.

In the face of this backdrop, we choose to turn the page and put an end to pessimism and fatalism. We choose to breathe new life into the Cyprus problem, our society and country. To look to the future with optimism. Preventing a permanent partition of our homeland, since the Cyprus problem is at its worst point ever, just a breath away from the perpetuation of the partitionist status quo.

The stakes of the forthcoming presidential elections are, of course, primarily about the Cyprus problem and, in particular, about the future handling that must be done in order to get us out of the current dangerous quagmire, which only serves the advocates of partition.

In the face of the two presidential candidates of the same political force, as AKEL we support Andreas Mavroyiannis, who is deeply knowledgeable about the Cyprus problem, with decades of experience in the service of our country, and above all faithful to the vision of a reunited and free Cyprus.  With his clear positions, without any half-truths or minced words, with his comprehensive proposal for the creation of the organic conditions for peace, he is the best qualified to lead this effort. With him, we can and will bring about change.

Dear guests,

Comrades,

Stories like that of Mehmet and Andreas, I am sure, are scattered throughout our country, if only we can locate and highlight them. Stories full of pure and genuine intentions, full of love, solidarity and empathy.

In essence, it is these characteristics of the common people that we are celebrating today, which were reflected in the faces of two of our fellow citizens 48 years ago.

As long as there is a memory, we shall keep them alive”.