Patriotism and considerations

Sunday 18th March 2018, “HARAVGI” newspaper

Article by Stavri Kalopidiotou – Lawyer, International Relations expert, member of the C.C. of AKEL and Cyprus Problem Bureau of AKEL

We are going through difficult times. The Cyprus problem and economy are at a critical juncture, facing numerous challenges and big dilemmas. The political leadership’s role however is specific: to take a clear position and give leadership guided solely by the well-intentioned interests of our country and people. During such times, these appeals do not represent some clichés, but are meant to force each and every one to face up to his/her responsibilities. For AKEL, opposition has never been synonymous with indulging in tactical games to win votes, as it has never fabricated political news to atone its political approaches.

So when certain politicians and journalists engage with such ease in giving lessons about “patriotism” targeting AKEL, they themselves must first understand the ongoing developments, without aphorisms and intolerance. Following that, they should subsequently reflect on what they hear and read from a political force that has always been consistent and constructive, even when this stand has had an electoral cost.

Let me recall, that we will all be judged. First and foremost, History itself will judge us – better than anyone else. AKEL has managed over almost a century to serve the country, to demonstrate with its actions and deeds that it is a force of genuine patriotism and that it supports our people and Democracy. That’s exactly what AKEL is also doing today. We will not align ourselves with any approaches that we consider dangerous. Furthermore, we will not abandon the only strategic goal that can reunite our homeland, liberate us from the occupation troops and guarantees and offer a real perspective to our people in conditions of normality and peace, that is to say, the achievement of a bicommunal, bizonal federal solution.

At this precise moment when Turkey is provocatively insisting on violating our sovereign rights, nobody has the luxury of projecting a plethora of narratives which convince no one in the international community; of engaging in populism and in the “isolation” of political opponents on the domestic front, even more so by the government and ruling forces. It is precisely the government and ruling forces who are called upon – because we can’t tackle Turkey militarily – to work primarily for the de-escalation of the tension in our Exclusive Economic Zone and subsequently for the resumption of the dialogue. That is the minimum the government and ruling forces must do to keep the prospect of a solution of the Cyprus problem alive and to ensure at least that in the next report to be submitted by the United Nations Secretary-General – which by the way it should be said expresses the position of the international community – will not assign responsibilities on the Greek Cypriot side as well for the situation on the Cyprus problem, thereby exonerating and pardoning Turkey. The government and ruling forces must also ensure that the scenario of 2015 isn’t repeated, when in the wake of the extensive roaming of the Turkish vessel “Barbaros” on the southern shores of the Republic of Cyprus, the United Nations submitted an extremely negative report for the Greek Cypriot side.

To all those circles and forces who in bad faith are focusing their attacks on AKEL, one thing must be clear: our own starting point remains the position that Cyprus cannot withstand another Cyprus problem. This is the reason why Demetris Christofias, with realism and emphatic insight, concluded the convergence on natural resources. That’s precisely why when Eroglu tried to kill off the negotiations, we continued to keep the prospect (of the solution) alive. That’s why when Mr. Anastasiades was regressing for one and a half years after his election, we didn’t stop pointing out our disagreements. That’s also the reason why we criticized the non-functional and unproductive proposals that Mr. Anastasiades submitted at the negotiations when they resumed. That’s also why AKEL is reacting today to the handlings being made (by the government) which are of no benefit to us. We are reacting to a looming tendency towards political proposals – both before and after the presidential election – that are leaning towards replacing the crossing-points with partitionist walls.

Evidently we are duty bound to protect the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus and more specifically to expose Turkish provocations before the international community. At the same time, however, we must avoid pitfalls that will lead our people to new adventures and deadlocks. That is why all those forces and circles who have been engaged in a Goebbels-type propaganda should stop seeking to damage AKEL and deal with how our real enemy – which continues to be the occupation – is addressed.