Our people must remember that the twin 1974 crime had NATO and British-American imperialism had as its protagonists
Speech of AKEL C.C. Spokesperson, Stephanos Stephanou, at the memorial service of the Hero Sotiris Adamou Constantinou
AKEL C.C. Press Office, Sunday 10th July 2016, Nicosia
Today we are paying tribute and commemorating not just a hero of our people and homeland, but one of our outstanding heroes: Sotiris Adamou Constantinou.
The ranking of Sotiris among our country’s most outstanding heroes is not by chance. It is justified and necessary, stemming from the events that took place in the summer of 1974. Sotiris refused when ordered to do so to fight against democracy; to turn his gun against the legitimate President of the Republic, against the progressive ideals and universal values with which Sotiris himself was nurtured and raised in the home of his parents, Adamou and Martha.
Sotiris and his brothers in general, also had a second home in which progressive ideals and universal values to which the Hero was totally committed to were prevalent and were being cultivated, namely the Local Club of EAS in the Ayiou Dometiou neighborhood of Nicosia of the People’s Movement of the Left, which represents the centre of the Left in the region and which develops a multifaceted and enviable activity in various areas.
When Sotiris stood up and declared “NO” to the junta officers who ordered him to attack the Presidential Palace on the morning of 15th July 1974 he knew very well that he was putting his own life in great danger. He had suffered firsthand from the savagery, fanaticism and fascism of these officers. During his military service in the Commando forces, Sotiris had suffered all kinds of terrible actions against him. They beat him up brutally, they swore at him, constantly causing him pain through physical and psychological torture because he was a supporter of the Left and because his brother played in the progressive football and sports club of “Omonia”.
This was the situation in general in the National Guard at that time, which had been transformed into a subversive centre of the Greek junta and EOKA B, of anti-communism and anti-government propaganda, especially in the Commando forces. Progressive and Left soldiers were oppressed, beaten and abused. They were the ones deployed in remote or in frontline units to fight a possible Turkish invasion.
Sotiris put his life on the line and eventually sacrificed his life. Greek officers executed him in cold blood because he refused to betray his ideals and the democratic order. He refused to breach the oath which he gave “For loyalty to the homeland and respect for all its laws.” His consistent and dignified stand represents a slap in the face for all those who are trying to justify their own and others participation in favor of the coup d’état; a slap in the face of those saying that they were simply following orders. But the constitution, as well as democratic order, cannot be violated under the pretext that “orders are being followed and executed”.
Such are the unacceptable approaches that have prevailed that monuments are due to be built for those who waged the attack on the Presidential Palace on 15th July 1974, on the Archdiocese and elsewhere – with the involvement and complicity unfortunately of the current government. It is with such unacceptable policies that those who fought in the Democratic Resistance and those who took part in and executed the coup d’état are being equated and put on an equal footing; that appeasement, forgetfulness and historical amnesia are being promoted.
The attempts to pardon and wash away the crimes committed against Cyprus are an insult to the memory of our heroes. We will not permit this these attempts to succeed.
We as AKEL consistently resist and reject forgetfulness and appeasement. Our people must remember and young people must learn how the Cyprus tragedy came about in 1974; learn about the crime of the fascist coup d’état that brought the Turkish Army and occupation in Cyprus.
Our people must remember that the twin 1974 crime had as its protagonists NATO and British-American imperialism. Our people must remember that the Athens junta, EOKA B and the militarists of Ankara were obedient servants and executors of the plans elaborated for the partition of Cyprus.
Our people need to remember who really resisted the fascist terror that was unleashed and who stood up and fought against the Turkish invasion of Attila. It must remember and honor our Heroes such as Sotiris who showed the path of honor and genuine patriotism.
We are struggling to vindicate the struggles and sacrifices of our Heroes. This vindication will come with the liberation of our country and the termination of the Turkish occupation; with the reunification of our country and people, the restoration of the human rights and basic freedoms of our people as a whole, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.
For forty two years our people have been struggling for vindication without success. The failure to find a solution must not dishearten and break us up from the struggles ahead. We must not compromise with partition, because it entails many dangers for our country and people. We must remain committed and dedicated to the solution, regardless of the difficulties we encounter over the years.
Persistence and constant efforts yield results. This is what the continuous and unremitting efforts that the family of Sotiris made for decades to prove that the hero was not a coupist, as certain forces and circles were claiming, testifies. For thirty five years the state delayed on many pretexts and excuses the investigation on the circumstances surrounding Sotiris’ death. The efforts by the family however finally yielded results. The truth emerged with the help of science. The greatness of the sacrifice of Sotiris shone; a sacrifice that must be taught in schools and in our society generally, so as to set an example.
The key message of the sacrifice of Sotiris is clear. Through struggles we gain freedom, peace and democracy. With the continuation of our struggle we will vindicate our people and ensure its future; our own future and that of our children in this long-suffering country.
This is our unwavering goal. This is what the sacrifices of our Heroes dictate. This is what the enormous sacrifice of Sotiris commands; a sacrifice which will stay alive in time and live long in our memory. We will make sure it will.
The memory of Sotiris Adamou Constantinou is eternal!
Honor and glory to our heroes!
