AKEL ON THE RUSSIAN PROPOSAL REGARDING SYRIA
Statement by Costas Christodoulides, Head of the International and European Affairs Department of the C.C. of AKEL
AKEL considers that the proposal made by the Russian Federation to put the chemical arsenal of Syria under international control is pragmatic and offers the opportunity to avoid yet another illegal war.
We note that international public opinion in the countries making up the so-called coalition that is being preparing to declare the war on Syria is against their country’s involvement in an intervention.
At the same time the peace movement all over the world through demonstrations is reacting against the outbreak of a regional war urging the governments of their countries not to participate and calling on the US to abandon its plans.
As AKEL, we join our voice with that of all the peace-loving forces throughout the world, calling on the US to seize the opportunity offered to avoid yet another unjust war that will lead to bloodshed and probably to a wider outbreak of conflict in our region, with tragic consequences for the peoples.
As AKEL we are particularly concerned because Cyprus and the area around it has again become a launching pad for military activities, both in the British bases of Akrotiri and in the seas surrounding our island. We would like to once again put some, in our view, critical questions to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Kasoulides, which he has not replied to. First, how has the resolution approved by the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus been utilised so far by the Foreign Minister Mr. Kasoulides?
Second, what does the statement made by the Foreign Minister on a radio station that Akrotiri (i.e. the British Bases) is our defence in case of an accident? Doesn’t the Foreign Minister understand that it is precisely the bases which can provoke such an “accident “?
AKEL´s position is that the British Bases involve us daily in espionage and military adventures, creating serious dangers for our island.
