Speech by Andros Kyprianou, General Secretary of the C.C. of AKEL, to the meeting dedicated to the anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Cyprus

 

30th September, 2013, Ayios Athanasios municipality, Limassol

 

Today we honour the anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Cyprus; an Independence which we must safeguard as a precious gain.

 

53 years later the foundation of the Republic of Cyprus, this anniversary is a day of reflection and for drawing bitter lessons.

 

“The truth is bitter and unwelcome to the ears of those of us who have done wrong: for we want what is wrong and we pursue our self-interests, and we still want others to call us “fine patriots”….”.

 

These words do not only belong to Makriyannis and are not confined just to his Memoirs. This message reaches us today, here in our small Cyprus. Our country’s contemporary history has been burdened and has suffered immensely from conceited and demagogic rhetoric. A great deal of blood has been spilled here in Cyprus to reach the stage we have arrived at ∙ with Cyprus divided for almost four decades, shackled and chained by foreign armies and bases and now, under the yoke of economic hegemony of foreign powers.

 

How did we get to this stage?

 

The independence of Cyprus came as a result of many, arduous struggles. AKEL was in the front line of the struggle for the liberation of our country from colonialism. We organized mass rallies and demonstrations. We paved the way for the internationalization of the Cyprus problem with the Memo submitted by the Party in 1949 to the United Nations entitled “The Cypriot people accuse Britain”.

 

The truth is that everyone then had a common goal ∙ the liberation of Cyprus from colonialism. However not everybody had the same approach and tactics. AKEL believed that the anti-colonial struggle should be the common cause of both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. Unfortunately, the Right-wing excluded the Turkish Cypriots from the anti-colonial struggle and chose to wage an armed struggle, a path that was wrong, as it proved to be in practice and as Glafkos Clerides (Note: former President of the Republic, founder and former leader of the right-wing Democratic Rally party) had stated himself some years later.

 

This excluded an important constituent part from the anti-colonial struggle, namely unity. As a result, the Right-wing united around the Ethnarchy (Note: The “Ethnarcy” – the combining of priestly vocation and of socio-ethnic leadership by leading echelons of the Church) and the given Archbishop, while a broad popular movement rallied around the Progressive Party of the Working People.

 

During the anti-colonial struggle, we made ​​many efforts to unite everyone around the common goal of the liberation of Cyprus from the British colonial yoke. Regretfully, all our efforts were rejected. Anti-communism, prejudice and contempt towards the Left excluded any possibility of waging a united struggle. It is characteristic that Grivas from the outset of the EOKA struggle had pointed out that the communists should “be attacked and humiliated, so that they won’t be in a position to play a role on the political scene, but neither in the militant struggle.”

 

Consequently, Cyprus was trapped in the short-sighted approaches and delusions of ultra-patriotic rhetoric. The Turkish Cypriot community was underestimated and neglected. Any thought of discussing a period of self-government for Cyprus, a practice that was implemented in the course of many other colonies towards attaining independence, came up against the dogmatic obsession with Enosis (Note: the union of Cyprus with Greece). In the end, despite the heroism displayed by the honest EOKA fighters, despite the enthusiasm created amongst a large section of the people, the armed struggle did not achieve its objectives. Instead, the tactics of armed struggle led to dead ends; deadlocks that became ​​even more severe because the military leader of EOKA Grivas was a man who considered as his enemies not only the British as his enemies, but rather the Turkish Cypriots and the communists.

 

The British colonialists fully exploited the internal tension created. They took advantage of the upsurge in nationalism – chauvinism in both communities, and pursued their favourite tactic – the policy of divide and rule. They instigated the first inter-communal clashes. The Cyprus problem, from an issue of Cyprus´ liberation from British colonial rule, became in the main an issue of inter-communal conflict in which the British by then presented themselves as peacemakers and mediators. At the same time, they involved Turkey in the Cyprus problem as an interested party. The goal was none other than to ensure the presence of British and in general NATO imperialism in Cyprus.

 

Subsequently, we arrived at the London-Zurich agreements. Our Party disagreed with the agreements. It disagreed because these agreements granted bases to Britain, so-called “sovereign” bases, chaining Cyprus to the system of guarantees and the presence of foreign troops, as well as imposing a given, separatist and undemocratic constitution. After the signing of the agreements, we maintained our position on the unacceptable character of these agreements. Nevertheless, we called on the people to support independence as a great achievement, despite the commitments it burdened Cyprus with.

 

Unfortunately, not everyone perceived independence in this light. Nationalism in both communities viewed independence as a stepping stone. One side saw it as a step towards “Enosis” (Note: Union with Greece), whilst the other side as a step towards taksim (Note: partition in Turkish).This, coupled with the fact that imperialism had never given up its plans to put Cyprus under NATO domination, ultimately led our island to pay a heavy price. The undermining of the Republic of Cyprus, also from within, paved the way for its dissolution and the overthrow of its elected President, Archbishop Makarios. What the centres of imperialism had knowingly planned in order to submit Cyprus to Turkey was consciously executed by the tools of the junta of Greece, namely Grivas and EOKA B, thus opening the door for the Turkish invasion.

 

Recalling all these events makes this day a day of reflection. All of these developments should lead us to draw bitter but valuable conclusions. Makarios was fiercely opposed and ridiculed because he argued for a feasible solution instead of misleading and cultivating grandiose illusions among the people about some desirable ideal solution. Attempts were made to reverse his policy and overthrow him, with the betrayal of 1974, but what was the outcome? The plans of Cyprus´ enemies were simply implemented.

 

Correspondingly, Demetris Christofias worked hard to promote proposals that would unify Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, the state and the economy in practice. He became the target of a relentless attack from all sides, against the very interests of our country and people.

 

Today the start of a new process is being sought, aiming at achieving a just, functional and viable solution of the Cyprus problem. We should not repeat the same mistakes. A collective manner of work and unity are demanded. This unity must be based on the long-standing positions of the National Council and timely consultation between the Government and the political parties which should be based on mutual respect and a balanced policy that will not succumb to pressure and blackmail, but neither should time be allowed to pass without any action towards a solution.

 

In view of the start of the talks, our Party emphasizes at every opportunity, its position on the need to resolve the Cyprus problem as soon as possible. It is our belief that the correct solution of the Cyprus problem will give an impetus to development and growth which is a pressing task so that the Cyprus economy can take the path of recovery.

 

At the same time, we express our readiness to support the efforts of President Anastasiades for a solution on the condition that this solution will be based on the principles of the Cyprus problem providing for a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, with a single sovereignty, a single international personality and a single citizenship of the united Republic of Cyprus being safeguarded; for a solution that will safeguard the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Cypriots, within a bi-zonal, bi-communal state with political equality as set out in the resolutions of the United Nations.

 

AKEL fully respects the right of Mr. Anastasiades to want to implement his own policy on the handling of the Cyprus problem. The pressing need is that this leads to a positive result for Cyprus and our people; that it serves the goal of the reunification of the state and our people and not lead to an institutionalized separate living of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.

 

We have already pointed out that we are not guided by any revanchist tendencies and that we will not reciprocate the unfair and exhaustive levelling criticism from the opposition during the Demetris Christofias administration. As a responsible and serious Party, we declare our readiness to support Mr. Anastasiades. At the same time, we have articulated and express some concerns with the wish for a collective reflection to take place regarding the next steps on the Cyprus problem. I say this because the framework of the resumption of the talks is already burdened by; the government handling concerning the Downer document and regarding the letter of the President to the Secretary-General of the United Nations in which he attempted to condemn him; the handling of the issue of the proposal on Famagusta and the subsequent questions this provoked; the elimination/deletion of the Christofias – Talat joint statement from the last UN Security Council resolution and others. It may be that all these concerns on the domestic front are being covered up by all these petty PR communication needs of the Government; however they affect the substance of the efforts to solve the Cyprus problem at our expense and create negative impressions both within and outside Cyprus.

 

Now that the myth of the supposed unacceptable Christofias concessions has collapsed officially too as a result of the Downer document, the time has come for the countries and the people’s interests to finally prevail. We face a number of very real dangers concerning unacceptable settlements to be imposed on us and for extortionate dilemmas to be forced on us. The question is: has our side prepared itself sufficiently and adequately to avert and repulse these dangers? AKEL believes that the most effective way to promote a solution free from the fear of the “worst case scenario” is not to give vital space to the Turkish side. This is why we insist on the need to preserve the basis of the talks as defined in the relevant UN resolutions and the Christofias – Talat joint statements, as well as to preserve the convergences that had been agreed between the two leaders. Besides, this is the commitment that had been made by Eroglu before the UN Secretary-General himself after he assumed the leadership of the Turkish Cypriot community. If the President proceeds on this path, then, the Turkish side would not have any room to impose its own dictates.

 

The Cyprus problem is not the only open front. The consequences of the decisions made by Mr Anastasiades with the Troika at the Eurogroup meeting have make the lives of our people more difficult day by the day. The recession is deepening, small and middle businesses are closing down one after the other, the number of unemployment is rising, wages and labour rights are under pressure to the point of extinction. The sectors of health, education and social welfare are shrinking dangerously. This is the daily reality experienced by the vast majority of people in Cyprus.

 

Our Party points out this reality daily. No matter how much the Government discredits us by giving replies such as “AKEL shouldn’t speak”, answers that satisfy only themselves and their fanatical anti-AKEL supporters, this reality doesn’t change. Let me remind you that they did not want AKEL to state its views even when a few years ago it said that the economy’s problem was mainly due to the banking sector. Today everyone is admitting this obvious fact. However at that time they were covering up the insufficient supervision exercised by the former Governor of the Cyprus Central Bank and the criminal mistakes committed by the banks, attempting to focus people’s attention on the public finances.

 

The Government is trying to convince people that the difficult times are almost over. In actual fact the very opposite is true. The consequences from the suffocation as a result of the haircut of the bank deposits, and the restrictions imposed on the movement of capital to banks, but also from the rest of the provisions of the Memorandum, are exacerbating the whole situation. Privatizations are being planned with the government pretending that by privatizing Semi-Government Organizations, by leading yet more working people to join the ranks of the unemployment, by provoking dangers to national security and by skyrocketing the costs we will pay for electricity and the telephone that this will be in the interests of Cyprus and not of the monopolies. The Government should stop supporting the unsubstantiated argument that it is obliged by the November Memorandum agreement to proceed to privatizations. It knows very well that this is not true. Besides, the Troika’s position was and is their own. It’s just that today the Troika gives the government the excuse to implement these positions.

 

Was the extension of opening hours for shops a demand of the Troika? It was the demand of some big businessmen in Cyprus which the government of Mr. Anastasiades satisfied, bringing desperation to thousands of small and middle business people. Already, on the part of AKEL, a letter has been written to Mr. Anastasiades stressing the need for reflection before his government proceeds to renew the relevant decrees. In addition, we recalled the proposals for preparing restructuring plans and the extension of loans; the reduction of rents and exploring the possibility of suspending criminal proceedings for debts owed to the Republic, in order to offer some relief to thousands of small and middle strata. I hope our suggestions will be taken into account. By letter we also raised the issue of a reduction in lending rates to the Governor of the Central Bank too since last June. The Ministerial Council and the President of the Democratic Rally party followed us. Our wish is to find ways to implement this proposal. However these measures can only give the people just a small breathing space, given that this does not radically address the economy’s problems.

 

Instead of the President focusing on these proposals, he chose to provoke a crisis in the relations with the Governor of the Central Bank. The Governor implements the decisions of the Troika and of Mr Anastasiades in the Eurogroup. How does Mr. Anastasiades believe such a crisis will be of use to the economy right now?

 

We urge the Government, instead of looking for scapegoats to look at the results of its own policy, to open a dialogue with a view to finding alternative ways of dealing with the crisis. Let us all draw on the example from Greece. Although an attempt is underway for over a year to convince the people that the difficult days are over and that Greece is now on the course of recovery, European Union officials and the IMF are demanding new austerity program, consequently new cycles of recession and additional measures. Something similar will constantly be the case in Cyprus too. Before us we will also continuously face new extortionate dilemmas. Therefore we have an obligation to look for alternatives. Our proposal is still on the table and is being updated. We urge the Government to reflect on where we are heading, to offer a perspective to the people without the hanging rope of the devastating Memorandum.

 

At a time when we are confronted with important challenges, public opinion is being distracted from the real problems with scandal-mongering and issues that are often made up. We reiterate our long-standing position. If someone has demonstrably taken bribes to promote the adoption of any decision he/she should be punished according to the law. However, the direction of people’s consciousness by spreading rumours and the attempt to vilify and slander AKEL is inexplicable. The attempt is to erase 87 years full of struggles, sacrifices and gains, built on the blood and sweat of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot workers and people’s fighters. They are trying to discredit it by attacking every member of AKEL where they had never before dared: their dignity and honour. But they forget something. We are the Party of the Working People; a Party that has honour, consciousness and pride; a Party that has the strength to make self-criticism and surge ahead. We do not hesitate to open our accounts individually and we have no difficulty in explaining where we found whatever movable or immovable property belonging to us. If only others could say and do the same thing.

 

We have as the party leadership already decided that the Political Bureau members and AKEL MPs will make public their audited personal assets. At the same time we are working on proposals for transparency, the combating of corruption and collusion of vested interests. AKEL, the big Party of the Left of Cyprus doesn’t have to hide nothing from the people. It’s imperative that it leads the way for transparency and that it is in the forefront of the fight against corruption and collusion.

 

From the podium of this event I address the cadres, members and voters of AKEL. Various reasons and events have led our Party in a difficult position. But we have the will, strength and ability to overcome the problems and strengthen AKEL. I call on everyone to work together for the ideological and political strengthening of our Party, its organizational reconstruction, the enhancement of its prestige and credibility. Our goal is a powerful AKEL in the forefront of the struggle of the Cypriot people to move society forward.

 

We will discuss all these issues at the programmatic Congress to be held soon, together with the assessment of the presidential elections and the evaluation of five year term of the Christofias administration. But mostly we will discuss how we move forward in the struggles ahead; how we can make AKEL stronger to operate as the people’s protective shield and as a vehicle to move society forward.

 

It is a fact that the global capitalist economic crisis broke out during the period of the Christofias administration. The financial problems could have been addressed differently and with relative ease, had there not been a big problem with the banks. However, no one can or should ignore the fact that the previous government’s effort was to create a web of protection for workers, young people, the middle class, pensioners and the poor. Mr. Anastasiades at the first opportunity has dismantled this web of protection, yielding to the pressure exerted by the Eurogroup and without consulting the political parties. He is going back on and negating everything he was saying in the past. At the same time we anticipate that negotiations will begin on the Cyprus problem, while it is necessary to exploit our natural wealth.

 

It is for these and many other reasons that there is a need for AKEL to be powerful. Our political opponents are trying to shift on our shoulders everything that went wrong from the 1960´s onwards which the system itself generates and regenerates, whether this is called a crisis or corruption. This is why they are waging a war in which truth is mixed up with lies so that they can shackle and completely silence us. We are not afraid. We do not yield. We have never been afraid to conduct self-criticism; never hesitated to state our own mistakes. But also we never have, nor will we yield. We won’t do so now! Above all else is Cyprus. Above all else is the people! Above all else, the future that belongs to the people!