We do not compromise with the occupation! – Article by Giorgos T. Georgiou – Member of the Political Bureau, AKEL Limassol District Secretary

3 October: March for Solution and Reunification:

26 September 2021, ‘Haravgi’ newspaper

 

The news from New York unfortunately does not permit neither expectations, nor any hopes for a resumption of the dialogue on the Cyprus problem. Developments only generate anxiety and provoke concern because there is no positive prospect on the horizon!

The occupation leader, Ersin Tatar, arriving in New York, reiterated his partitionist positions for a two state solution, leaving no room whatsoever for a resumption of a dialogue so that the deadlock on the Cyprus problem can be lifted. Turkey continues to provocatively violate every notion of international law, interfere in developments and to hold the occupied territories hostage both in fact and in practice, with Ersin Tatar declaring his loyalty and allegiance to Tayyip Erdogan, to whom he owes his “election” as leader of the Turkish Cypriot community in the occupied areas.

Unfortunately, at this crucial meeting, the President of the Republic, Mr. Nicos Anastasiades, is behaving unacceptably. His contradictory policies, constant backtracking and regressions are benefiting and strengthening the partitionist aspirations of Turkey and the occupied territories.

His insistence on promoting his position for a return to the 1960 Constitution only create a departure from the UN resolutions to date, while deepening the rift in the crisis. It appears clear that the danger of losing the agreed body of work of the negotiating procedure at Crans-Montana is now within sight. Whether unwillingly or willingly, President Anastasiades is playing on Ersin Tatar’s field. The agreed framework for the solution of a bizonal, bicommunal federation is being challenged and Turkey and the occupied territories are being thrown a “lifeline” so that they can evade responsibility for the impasse in which the Cyprus problem finds itself, for their unacceptable proposal demanding sovereign equality that is outside the agreed framework as a precondition for the resumption of talks. These are critical moments, and they are also historic in the sense that the future of a united and peaceful Cyprus is being decided once and for all.

It is now obvious that there are no “saviors” from heaven on the Cyprus problem! Now is the time when everyone needs to rise to the occasion, and first and foremost President Anastasiades himself. His constant backtracking, regressions and engaging in poker game type tactics on the Cyprus problem is disastrous. We will lose all trust from those we expect to draw support from. The United Nations has many problems to deal with on the international stage and the international community no longer seems to trust us.

In the face of the critical nature of developments, AKEL neither surrenders, nor raises the white flag. It is taking initiatives and assuming its own share of responsibility, submitting proposals and mobilising the people as a patriotic Party. The proposal which it submitted on the Cyprus problem to the President of the Republic last December offers the possibility of breaching the deadlock and lifting the impasse, not necessarily that it will solve the Cyprus problem, but at least it creates conditions for Turkey to be held accountable.

This goal, this vision is also served by AKEL’s initiative to mobilise the Cypriot people in a big march of struggle, resistance and assertion that will take place next Sunday, October 3, in the free areas of Famagusta. We do not accept the occupation and division. The Cypriot people can and must send a strong message, both domestically and abroad, that division cannot be the future of Cyprus. Only the people can save the people!

The vision of a united and peaceful Cyprus continues to inspire our entire people and AKEL does not under any circumstances abandon the demand “One Homeland, One People”!