I do not forget! – Article by Giorgos T. Georgiou, AKEL Political Bureau member

 

15 July 2022, “Haravgi’ newspaper

I do not forget!

Our heroes, who fell in battle defending Democracy and the Constitution, the legitimate government of Archbishop Makarios III, are a beacon guiding our actions, a shining example for Democracy, Resistance and the Struggle for noble values and ideals.

The events that took place during the official state commemoration of the fallen during the treasonous coup by the government ruling forces are an immense provocation and disrespect to the sacrifice of the heroes and relatives of the fallen resistance fighters. The government’s decision not to read a speech honoring the sacrifice of our heroes is unprecedented. Never before has there been such disrespect and insult. The attitude of the public broadcasting corporation (RIK) – which was completely absent from the commemorations – is equally provocative.

It is now common knowledge to any objective person that the government ruling forces are disturbed by the historical truth. In recent years a methodical attempt has been made to falsify the history of our country. The olive branch proclaimed by Makarios after the war has served as a lifeline for some forces and circles to escape their heavy criminal responsibilities. Indeed, certain circles interpret as a weakness the fact that there has so far been no reaction from democratic citizens. Both those in power and those who attempt to distort historical facts are fooling themselves. The people have not forgotten the horrific day of 15 July 1974, when the Americans, with their puppets, the Greek Junta and the criminal organisation EOKA B, overthrew the Constitution and opened the back door to Turkey’s barbaric invading army.

Their plans to undermine our people’s memory and historical consciousness cannot and must not be allowed to pass. The government’s stance does not diminish the heroic sacrifice of our heroes, for it is precisely our dead who are in the Pantheon of Heroes, as shining beacons of democracy and legality. The government ruling force’s attitude merely offends and exposes them irreparably in the minds of Cypriot citizens.

48 years later and we are still burying our dead. The graves of our heroes are a daily reminder of the crimes that were committed. The visible occupied Pendadaktylos mountain range sighs daily and calls on us all to wage new struggles once again for Resistance, Democracy and the Freedom of our homeland.

Forgetfulness will not pass. The truth will not be hidden. People who forget their history are doomed to relive it, as the Spanish philosopher Santoyana so aptly put it.

The time has come for the people to speak, now that they have both the knowledge and the experience. Ten years of the Anastasiades – DISY government is too long, too much for the people to bear! Their crimes, both economic and social, are glaring. The time has come for Progressive – Democratic Change. The time has come to change things. To get back on the right course of history. By choosing to be on the right side of history. With the independent candidate Andreas Mavroyiannis we can send those who serially are provoking our people to the dustbin of history! A better Cyprus can and must be attained!

P.S. I really wonder why the responsibility of organising the official memorial services for the dead of the coup and the Turkish invasion are assigned to the Church. Why is it not the responsibility of the State, and more specifically the government? And why should the annual session of the House of Representatives that convenes to denounce the coup and the Turkish invasion not be held in the presence of all officials and diplomatic corps?