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- Ελληνικά
Today we honour the personification of the history of our country. We honour the first elected President of the Republic of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios, whose path, but above all the popular consciousness, placed him in the pantheon of the history of our country, giving him the not at all accidental characterization of Leader and proclaiming him a National Leader of Cypriot Hellenism. It could not have been otherwise, considering his career as Primate of the Church of Cyprus and the first, and for 17 consecutive, difficult years, President of the Republic of Cyprus. "A politician too big for his small island", the Times would write after his death in 1977, describing Makarios as "one of the most recognisable figures on the international political scene", a "familiar and respected figure in the councils of the United Nations, the Commonwealth and the Third World".
His life and work were identified with the great historical moments of our country, with the glorious liberation struggle of EOKA and the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus. Unfortunately, however, he was also the target of the treacherous coup d'état of the Athens Junta and its collaborators here, who attempted to abolish the Republic and stop the "heart of Cyprus".
With humble origins from Panagia of Paphos, educated in Greece, Archbishop Makarios was the leader that Hellenism, Cyprus and its people needed at that moment, in order to start the difficult national liberation struggle and then to walk through the first difficult years of independence. He was the leader needed by a nation that was at a crossroads, with a state that was still unstable and unorganized, with multiple internal and external challenges, but whose emblematic presence in the international arena gave it a scope and prestige that was clearly greater than the size of our small country. And it is, if you like, this international scope and recognition of the Republic of Cyprus that the personality of Makarios has given it, which has allowed it to avert time-honoured efforts by some to downgrade it.
An international prestige and recognition that was decisive in the outcome of the struggles and efforts of our people for Freedom and the creation of an independent, internationally recognized state, which managed in 2004 to become an EU member state, which had to face serious challenges from the first day of its establishment.
All these years later, Makarios' historical image and contribution remains unsurpassed, untouched by time and the rust of historical oblivion.
Proud, visionary, unyielding, charismatic and brilliant. But it was not these characteristics that aroused the awe and admiration of his interlocutors, colleagues and even opponents, as Professor Robert Holland, one of the leading scholars of British colonial policy in Cyprus, aptly points out. The awe he evoked, even among his British interlocutors, during the national liberation struggle and the discussions for the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus, stemmed from the aura that surrounded him, an aura that emanated from his perception that he represented an intellectual, historical and political tradition, one thousand five hundred years old, far older and wiser than any state traditions of his international interlocutors.
In this context, in his political spectrum of action, in a historical period intertwined with world-historical changes, the Cold War and the beginning of the worldwide process of local anti-colonial movements after the end of World War II, Macarius attempted the unthinkable. He attempted to couple the ethics of absolute purpose that translates into action the dream and deep desire of a people, with the ethics of responsibility and the responsibility of realism to achieve a viable solution.
And this is his greatest and most timely legacy: Our obligation to seek, pursue and strive to justify the toils and sacrifices of our people, but always within the framework of realism and with the goal of a feasible, viable and workable solution for all the people of our martyred island.
After all, this was his quest and the historical imperative he left to all.
After all, this was his quest and the historical imperative he left to all. An imperative that begins with his endearing phrase "dignity above all else" followed by the stentorian "not lost are the peoples who want to live and strive to live". For the "heart of Cyprus" was the heart of all Cypriots, Greeks, Turks, Armenians, Maronites, Latins.
As he aptly said, "our struggle is not directed against the Turkish Cypriots. They are also victims of the Turkish invasion and they are not our opponents. We want to drive out the invader, so that Greeks and Turks of Cyprus can be redeemed."
And this is our pursuit today.
Through the path of cooperation and peace, talks and assertive realism, we continue the effort to break the deadlock and resume the talks from where they were interrupted in the summer of 2017, with a single objective: to achieve the longed-for liberation and reunification of our homeland on the basis of the agreed framework, the relevant UN resolutions and the principles and values of the EU.
Under no circumstances do we accept the occupation, under no circumstances can the present unacceptable state of affairs be the future of our country. This is not the future we want to hand over to our children.
With assertive realism, determination and perseverance, a clear goal, far from any unnecessary and unproductive confrontations, we fight with the sole aim of restoring human rights for all legitimate citizens of the Republic of Cyprus.
Forty-nine years later, Attila's boot is still trampling our soil. We still feel a twinge in our sternum at the sight of the flag of the pseudo-state that flashes every night in the occupied Pentada. This shameful status quo must finally come to an end. The passage of time is, unfortunately, creating new fait accompli and pushing the prospect of a Cyprus settlement even further away. Ending the occupation and reuniting our homeland is the only option before us. We are working for a solution that is consistent with the principles and values of Europe and international law. A solution that will ensure that there are no more or less European territories in this country. A solution on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, as provided for in the relevant United Nations resolutions. A functional and viable solution involving a state with one sovereignty, one international personality and one nationality, without occupying armies and foreign guarantees.
Finishing today the memorial service of Archbishop Makarios and reviewing his historical journey, I would like to emphasize the need for a strong internal front, with all due respect to any different views and approaches.
A strong internal front is indispensable in our struggle for justification, especially at this crucial juncture. We have experienced the disastrous consequences of internal divisions, of barren confrontations to serve, unfortunately, other agendas. Makarios' unifying, disobedient spirit, a symbol of resistance to subjugation, is the best example in the current context in which we are working to continue our efforts for the reunification of our homeland. Whatever the obstacles put in our way by the Turkish approach, the Turkish position for a two-state solution, I reiterate that we do not accept occupation.
46 years after the death of the National Lord Makarios, unity, national rallying and political solidarity are more necessary than ever. His militant realism, his commitment to the goal, his meek but at the same time impressively stubborn action, which drew its momentum from the desires and hopes of our people, are the bright beacon that shows us the way to vindicate the struggles of our people and safeguard the democratic gains of our homeland.
His eternal memory.
(PM/MB)
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
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