AKEL on the fascist coup anniversary of 15th July 1974
Those proclaiming they want a solution of the Cyprus problem would do well to realize that the reunification of Cyprus and the pardoning and exoneration of the coup d’état cannot coexist
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 14th July 2016, Nicosia
The coup of 15th July 1974 was the first act of the Cyprus tragedy. It was the beginning of the gravest disaster in the history of Cyprus. The coup d’état was not a momentarily act committed by some insane fools. It was the culmination of a premeditated crime that had been planned for years. The attempt to overthrow and murder Makarios by the Greek junta and EOKA B had as a direct consequence the Turkish invasion just five days later.
Forty-two years after the betrayal and treason, the results of the coup d’état are still visible on our country’s body and the wounds are still open. Turkey is still illegally occupying 37% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus. The wound of the missing persons, of the enclaved people in the occupied areas, the refugees and war-stricken people is still open. The threat of new evils and disasters continue to loom over Cyprus. All of this would not exist had a fascist coup not been executed. The responsibility of all those who prepared – politically and ideologically – organized and carried out the coup is forever grave which can’t ever be shaken off, as is the responsibility of those who welcomed and morally and politically supported the coup d’état. The passage of time does not absolve or relieve them of these responsibilities.
The coup was the result of a conspiracy that was hatched and elaborated from the US and NATO and whose execution was entrusted to the Athens junta and EOKA B of Grivas. This is what the Finding of the House of Representatives on the File of Cyprus also concludes. Any other approach represents an detestable distortion of the historical truth and aims at pardoning and exonerating the main culprits of the Cyprus tragedy. AKEL on its part it will do its upmost so that the attempt to falsify the historical truth and equate the victims with the culprits of the Cyprus tragedy will not pass. We will continue our struggle to keep the historical truth alive, for only then will the same mistakes and tragedies not be repeated in the future.
On the occasion of the black anniversary of the coup d’état, AKEL condemns in the strongest possible terms the fascist coup of 15th July 1974 and all those who took part and supported it. It pays tribute to the memory of the fallen Resistance fighters and respectfully embraces their families. It expresses its gratitude to all the Resistance fighters, who with their struggles saved the dignity of our people. AKEL condemns once again the crimes that were committed during the eight-day prevalence of the coup.
The revival of the ideology and practice of Grivas and chauvinism is today expressed both by the rise of extreme right-wing, fascist organizations, but even worse by the construction of monuments devoted to the attackers of the Presidential Palace during the coup which is being carried out by the government. Those proclaiming that they want a solution of the Cyprus problem would do well to realize that the reunification of Cyprus and the pardoning and exoneration of the coup d’état cannot coexist.
On the occasion of the 42nd anniversary of the coup and invasion AKEL is organizing a mass anti-occupation meeting in commemoration, a meeting of honor and struggle on Friday 15th July at the open “Skali” amphitheater in Aglantzia. AKEL calls on the people to give a mass and militant presence in the event to honor our dead and heroes, to demonstrate our determination not let anything be forgotten and to continue the struggle for the vindication of Cyprus and our people.