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- Ελληνικά
It is with feelings of emotion and national pride that we have gathered here today to honour the memory of the fallen heroes of the Armoured Corps and to turn, with reverence and respect, to those who, despite the fact that this year marks forty-nine years since the brutal Turkish invasion of 1974, their names continue to be included in the sad list of the missing.
These days, the grim moments of the Cyprus tragedy, as experienced by our long-suffering people in July and August 1974, are being relived today.
Memory inevitably returns back to the turbulent history of Cyprus, when Turkey unprovoked invaded the island and spread death and destruction, plunging our people into mourning.
Almost half a century has passed since the dark summer of Cyprus. Half a century since the Republic of Cyprus experienced the most tragic period since its foundation.
When the current political conditions, both in Cyprus and in Greece, the divisive climate among the people and the subsequent coup against the legitimate Makarios Government, allowed Turkey to implement its illegitimate plan to partition the island.
The tragic consequences of the atrocities caused by the Turkish invasion, which have plagued us ever since, include the violent uprooting and displacement of thousands of our compatriots, the confiscation of our places of worship, the defiant destruction of our cultural heritage and the methodical colonization of our occupied territories.
Thousands were those who fell on the battlefields, were brutally murdered or are still missing.
Our thoughts also turn to all those who answered the call of the homeland and participated in the war operations. Those who experienced the horrors of war and saw their fellow soldiers die before their eyes. To all those officers, non-commissioned officers, conscript soldiers and reservists, who left their families and their daily lives behind and fought with determination and courage, despite adversity, bitterness and disappointments, as worthy continuators of the history of their heroic ancestors.
The black-skinned fighters, proud and determined, stuck out their chests against the numerically and militarily superior Turkish invader and defended our island in the heartland of Hellenism.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Our heroes had deeply rooted in them the duty to their homeland, but also the natural need of every human being to live under conditions of freedom and justice.
This need for freedom and justice guided their every action. Today, 49 years after the Turkish invasion, the consequences of the crime of 1974 continue to torment our country and our people.
All the efforts of the President of the Republic, Mr. All the efforts of President Nicos Christodoulides are aimed at reversing the unacceptable current situation, removing the deadlock and creating the conditions that will lead to the resumption of talks, through which we will reach a viable, honourable and mutually acceptable solution to the Cyprus problem, which will liberate our homeland, free it from the occupying troops and guarantee the human rights and basic freedoms of all legitimate citizens of Cyprus.
The circumstances call for the continuation of the struggle with rationality, unity and unanimity. We ought to walk on the path that the heroes of Mavroskoufides, with their holy example, their ethos, their struggle and their sacrifice, point us to.
On this path, which will lead to the redemption and salvation of our country.
It is our sacred duty and unfulfilled historical imperative to continue to strive for a better tomorrow, for a free homeland.
This will be the best memorial for our heroic ancestors.
Their selfless decision to fight to the bitter end in the struggle to defend our homeland calls us to continue our own efforts.
Thank you.
Note. Andreas P. Louca.
(MB/EXP)
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