In the name of our myriad dead – Article by Eleni Mavrou, AKEL Political Bureau member

 

Sunday 17 July 2022, ‘Haravgi’ newspaper

…July 2022. Although the years that have passed are many, OUR MEMORY inevitably goes back 48 years, to that horrific summer of 1974. Images and sounds from the bitter past come back relentlessly. The military marches and announcements on the radio. The murders that were committed. The torture and beatings suffered in police stations and prisons. The tanks on the streets… And just a few days after the coup d’état on 15 July 1974, the bombings, the looting and the tents of refugees that followed. The mothers with the photos of their missing persons.

And all this, despite all the efforts by the government ruling forces to “rewrite history”. All those (including the state-owned Broadcasting Corporation RIK) who “forget” that in Cyprus we did not have a “civil war”, but instead the violent overthrow of the democratically-elected lawful government of the country. Who “forget” that neither the geostrategic goals of Cyprus’ subordination to NATO interests, nor the expansionist Turkish designs would have succeeded had there not been willing Trojan Horses – namely EOKA B and the Junta of Greece – to implement them.

Even though the government ruling forces are trying to convince us that the coup d’état was some “foolish action”, a reckless and thoughtless act and not an act of high treason.

Even though Ministers and certain party leaders were absent from the memorials of those who gave their lives for democracy.

Even though the Anastasiades government, the DISY party and the far-right ELAM lay wreaths on the graves of those who participated in the attack on the Presidential Palace during the coup of 15 July 1974.

Even though the government and DISY insist on the erection of a monument to Grivas, the murderer of Cyprus, with public funds.

Even though DISY is ready to give and surrender everything to NATO, whose plans and conspiracies led to the tragedy of Cyprus.

The bitter truth that the older generation must remember and the younger ones should learn is that as Cyprus we have so many heroes precisely because we were unfortunate to have traitors.

As Greek independence fighter Makriyannis wrote, “Those who caused the damage are disgruntled by it. Because they both sought it and their own interests to be served and at the same time wanted to be called good patriots. But this is not possible.”

How can it be that “everyone is to blame” for what happened in 1974 – both those who defended democracy and those who fought to overthrow?

Looking back in History is not “dwelling on the past”.

Going back in history may not suit and be convenient for certain forces and circles, but it is a necessary process. The combative spirit of a people cannot be based on empty sloganeering, intolerance and fanaticism. And it becomes all the more necessary for a people who are still suffering the consequences of the betrayal committed, because people who forget their history are bound to relive their tragedies and Cyprus cannot withstand another tragedy. And we must fight at every moment against everything that stands in the way of the reunification of our country and people.

Looking back in history however is also a tribute to those who gave their lives for democracy and the freedom of this land, to the myriads of our dead “who cannot possibly have died for nothing…”