Excerpts from the speech by Aristos Damianou, AKEL Political Bureau member, at the memorial service in honour of the hero Panagiotis Lazarou

On the latest developments surrounding the Cyprus problem

26 August 2018

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AKEL is fully aware of the dangers arising from the continuation of the unacceptable status quo. The historical experience of the Cyprus problem since 1974 demonstrates that when there is no negotiation process underway the situation deteriorates and Turkey attempts to impose new fait accompli on the ground.

Let me indicatively cite that the so-called illegal regime of so-called “TRNC” was proclaimed in 1983 during the Spyros Kyprianou administration, following the rejection of the United Nations Secretary-General De Cuellar’s Indicators, which represented a very general outline for negotiation. The official turn of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership from federation to confederation took place in 1997, when again no negotiations were underway and the frenzy over the S300 missiles and the so-called “theory of an active volcano” on the Cyprus problem pursued by Glafkos Clerides was at its peak. The intense efforts made by third parties for direct trade of the illegal pseudo-state with the outside world were undertaken as a mechanism to exert pressure on Tasos Papadopoulos after the well-known result of the 2004 referenda.

And right now, after the breakdown of the Crans Montana conference, we have one of the biggest demonstrations of intransigence and aggressiveness by Turkey, as well as the promotion of a two-state solution.

The Secretary-General of the United Nations in the successive Reports he has submitted set out how to move forward. Namely, we should proceed from where we had remained (at the Crans Montana conference) on the basis of the Guterres framework, the convergences achieved so far and the informal document on the mechanism for implementing the solution.

The essence of course is for the necessary will to exist on the part of Turkey. At the same time our own will and readiness must not be questioned. Based on the existing given data we have, neither inertia nor any ambiguous stand is permitted. President Anastasiades must launch an international campaign to convince the international community of the correctness of our positions. The passive observation of developments only suits Turkey and other circles and forces who are comfortable with partition.

As far as AKEL is concerned, our positions are based on the principles and long-standing positions of the Greek Cypriot side as they have been expressed in the National Council.

We shall continue to back them with consistency and the firm conviction that our people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, can live together in the land that gave birth to us.

We will continue to struggle for the solution of the Cyprus problem; a solution that will terminate the occupation and colonialization.

A solution based on the UN Resolutions, the High-Level Agreements, International and European Law.

A solution that will demilitarize Cyprus and exclude any interventions and guarantees from foreign powers.

A solution that will reunite the land, the people, the institutions and the economy.

We shall continue the struggle for a bi-communal, bizonal federal solution with political equality as described in the United Nations texts.

A solution that will lead to a united state, a continuation of the Republic of Cyprus with a single sovereignty, a single international personality and a single citizenship.

For decades, Turkey has with consistency been developing policies that are deepening the Turkish Cypriot community’s dependency on Ankara and weakening it. A section of the Turkish Cypriot community is resisting. Some time ago, the president of the Turkish Cypriot teacher’s trade union said the following about Turkey: “You have taken away democracy, respect and peace. You have taken away our culture and environment. You have taken control of our institutions and education. Enough is enough. This community has never yielded and will not submit now. It will continue the struggle.”

But a numerically small community will not endure forever to confront the might of Turkey. If we do not understand this fact in a timely manner, very soon the scope for a solution of the Cyprus problem within the agreed framework will narrow dangerously.

The Secretary-General of the UN has already appointed the new Special Envoy for Cyprus within the framework of the preparation for a resumption of the talks from where they had remained at Crans Montana and her contacts have already begun. This represents a glaring opportunity for the Greek Cypriot side to show its intentions and take steps in this direction.

And, of course, Turkey, as well as the leadership of the Turkish Cypriot community will have to respond practically and not just verbally within the agreed framework of the solution and the procedure that was defined by the UN.

We will continue to work with all our strength for the day when the reunited federal Cyprus will dawn and represent an example for the whole world; a modern model of harmonious cohabitation of the two communities. A common homeland of Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Armenian Maronites and Latins.

We owe it and we have a responsibility to do so towards all those who fought and died defending democracy and the freedom of Cyprus.

We owe it to the generations that have passed away with the yearning for the solution of the Cyprus problem and the return of refugees. But above all we owe it to the future generations because we are struggling and developing our activity always aware of the generations to come, our children and grandchildren; always aware of Cyprus’ future; always bearing in mind peace, security, prosperity and the harmonious coexistence of all the lawful inhabitants of our homeland.

This is the only way to vindicate the struggles and sacrifices of the children of our Cyprus.

Honour and glory to the fighters for Democracy and Freedom!

Honour and glory to our heroes!