AKEL on the second phase of the Turkish invasion in 1974
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 13 August 2018, Nicosia
14th August marks the black anniversary of the second phase of the Turkish invasion of 1974, with which the Turkish Army occupied approximately 37% of the territory of Cyprus.
Turkey exploiting the betrayal of the coup d’état executed by the junta of Athens and EOKA B, as well as the disorder that this provoked, led the talks in Geneva to collapse so that it could continue committing its crime.
Our young people were again called upon to face the Turkish Army of Attila in an unequal and betrayed struggle, and despite their heroism – and the sacrifice of many of our courageous young people – did not manage to halt its advance. The Turkish invaders advanced to the east of Cyprus reaching Famagusta, which had been abandoned by the coupists and subsequently captured it, and towards the west reaching even Morphou. The “Attila line”, which since then is wounding the body of our homeland, had been completed.
The Cypriot people owe eternal gratitude to those who fought and sacrificed their lives defending our homeland. We honor the fallen, the missing persons, the refugees, the war-stricken people and the enclaved people in the occupied areas.
On the occasion of the terrible anniversary of the second phase of the Turkish invasion, AKEL calls on the Cypriot people to rally its forces against the occupation and partition. The Cyprus problem is currently going through an extremely critical phase and the mobility which is being observed after the visit of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to Cyprus puts all sides before their responsibilities.
Our hope and expectation is that the way is paved for the resumption of the negotiations, which this time should lead to a successful outcome. And this conclusion cannot be anything other than the achievement of a solution to the Cyprus problem, which will liberate us from the Turkish occupation and reunite our Homeland and people.
The liberation from the occupation and the reunification of our country will represent the vindication of our struggles and the new page for our people who can build its life in conditions of permanent freedom, peace, security and cooperation.
