Excerpts from the speech by the General Secretary of AKEL A. Kyprianou on the latest developments surrounding the Cyprus problem

Local Club of the Left, Ayios Dometios municipality, Nicosia

AKEL C.C. Press Office, 9 November 2018

“…Many people have lost their hope that something might change today in Cyprus. They are right. If we do not all struggle together, if we do not respond together, then it is clear that all hope will be lost. Right now we have to give an answer to the crucial question that our late comrade Ozger Ozgur put, “Will we remain indifferent and watch our country change rulers or will we resist and declare that this land belongs to us”? We all consciously choose to resist and stand against the legalization of the 1974 twin crime that is being attempted today.

All of a sudden Mr. Anastasiades opened the debate about “decentralized federation” without previously studying the issue and reflecting on where such a discussion will lead us to. Mr. Anastasiades raised the issue of the so-called “decentralized” federation during the Demetris Christofias presidency as well. We asked him back then which of the agreed responsibilities did he want to transfer, but he didn’t reply. He organized a whole communication show with his press conference, having announced that he would provide us with specific answers, but once again he didn’t say anything simply because he has nothing to say; because this is just about half-baked and irresponsible tactical games aiming to avoid the substance of the issues. What problem which the President himself cites does “decentralized federation” solve? It doesn’t solve the issue of security or guarantees, nor the issue of executive power. It does not solve the issue of the equal treatment of Greek and Turkish citizens and much more. So why is this being raised in the discussion?

Every day that passes with the Cyprus problem unresolved, vindicates all those forces and circles in both communities that have poisoned and are still poisoning our people with nationalism and chauvinism. Each day that goes by the consequences of the invasion and occupation are being consolidated. The consequences from the negative developments in the Turkish economy are creating an explosive environment, while Turkey’s policies to absorb are attempting to strangle the Turkish Cypriot community. Our energy plans are being postponed indefinitely. Many in the international community are, to say the least, questioning and wondering what President Anastasiades is actually seeking.

Let me just say this: if anyone thinks that we will accept developments being led to a stalemate so that they’ll subsequently tell us that there is no alternative other than confederation then they must forget about it. We are not going to let anyone bury Cyprus’ perspective. We will insist on reminding them of their responsibility: we will either manage to reunite Cyprus within the framework of a bi-zonal, bicommunal federal solution, or we will slide towards partition. Every day that passes by with the Cyprus problem unresolved imperialism’s goal – the same imperialism that ordered the execution of the 1974 twin crime – is being fulfilled. Rauf Denktash’s goal, who wanted Cyprus partitioned, is being implemented.”