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- Ελληνικά
Feelings of emotion overwhelm us every year on this day, when we meet here in Deryneia for the "city buried in the sand", our Famagusta. Fifty years this year. Many. Too many. And we stand here, with the city silent behind us. A place that is a vivid illustration of the drama of the Turkish invasion and the ongoing occupation, a place that still calls to us, calls out to us.
Famagusta, a city in captivity, leaves no one unmoved. In these 50 years, hundreds of delegations from all over the world have passed through here and seen the destruction first hand: Politicians, heads of state, journalists, artists, visitors from every corner of the world. Famagusta is shocking.
No one was left unmoved in the face of an image that outrages every human being and offends every sense of dignity. No one can fail to be shocked at the sight of the ruined city that was a cradle of civilization, social progress and economic development.
Fifty years after the Turkish invasion, Famagusta continues to be the symbol of our struggle and can become the starting point for the great step that will catalyse the resolution of the Cyprus problem. This, moreover, is also dictated by the United Nations (UN) resolutions which, unfortunately, have never been implemented, because here, in semi-occupied Cyprus, the interests of those who can define what is just and impose it by force of arms are not at stake.
But we, 50 years later, insist. We have no choice. Half a century after the summer that clothed Cyprus in black, the sea-kissed city of Evagoras stands mute and ruined, reminding all of us of our duty and obligation to liberate it and reunite our homeland. After all, the present state of affairs cannot be the future of our Cyprus, the future of our children. It is not sustainable, it poses the gravest dangers, it creates new fait accompli every day. We are therefore well aware of our unique destination, and with a single-minded focus, far from grumbling and complaining, and despite the challenges and problems, we are working methodically towards the resumption of negotiations that will lead to the resolution of the Cyprus problem and the reunification of our country. Despite disappointments, bitterness and anger, we must unite voices and forces and remain militantly optimistic. This is not the time for criticism, for referring to mistakes, to patriots and traitors, to good and bad.
I will also avoid ponderous words because I know 50 years later how disturbing they can be, especially on days like this, when the mind cannot help but drift to memories of tragic times when the city fell so easily into Attila's hands. I too heard the accounts of my own Famagusta residents who were forced under bombardment and terror to flee their homes with babies newborns in their arms.
In these 50 years you have seen and heard, we have seen and heard, much. We have believed, we have hurt, we have hoped, we have been disappointed. I know your feelings well, I can understand you, I can see in your eyes the anguish and pain, even your anger every year, every day, because Famagusta and all our occupied territories should not be remembered only on anniversaries.
I am here tonight, and looking into your eyes, I want to convey to you with sincerity the assurances that depend solely on my own efforts, on the basis of objective circumstances and possibilities. I will be very specific, avoiding generalities and repetitive rhetoric.
I am here tonight, 50 years after the black summer of 1974, to stress in the most emphatic way that the road for me has only one direction, because no solution is no solution, because we do not accept partition, because we know very well who is favoured by the passage of time and stagnation, because my main concern is the end of the occupation, the liberation and the reunification of our country.
From the first day I took office, I have been making a great effort to implement all that I promised to the Cypriot people, what I promised you before and after the elections: To work tirelessly, not with words and statements, but with actions, to break the deadlock and resume the Cyprus settlement talks. This is what I am doing and this is what I will continue to do until I achieve this goal.
It was precisely in this context that we proceeded with bold, concrete, unilateral measures towards our Turkish Cypriot compatriots. It was in the same context that in Brussels, through the April European Council Conclusions, we sent a positive message to Turkey for substantial progress in Euro-Turkish relations, always combined with positive developments on the Cyprus problem and the effort to resolve it. It was in the same context that I reiterated the proposals of the three previous Presidents of the Republic of Cyprus for bold confidence-building measures, including in the enclosed area of Famagusta. It was in the context of our clear political will, the recognition of our credibility by the international community that I proposed direct contact between the two leaders or even the negotiators in meetings in the presence of the UN, or even the organisation of an informal five-party meeting. Things have not been easy. However, the appointment of the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General (SG), the result of our own efforts and recognition of our credibility, our initiatives, our own efforts and pressure in all directions, has been achieved. It was the result of the recognition by both the UN and the Permanent Members of the Security Council and the EU of our clear political will to resolve the Cyprus problem, and was achieved after painstaking and coordinated efforts. And we continue methodically and quietly at all levels and forums.
To these initiatives and proposals adopted by the UN and the international community there has been, unfortunately, so far, a negative response from the Turkish side. On the other side we continue to hear the extreme rhetoric of the Turkish Cypriot leadership and the Turkish government, the negative mood even to discuss, even for a social meeting. This intransigent, unacceptable attitude undoubtedly causes disappointment and pessimism. However, I am not here to blame anyone and I do not believe in the blame game. I do not find it useful and, especially on the Cyprus issue, I only want to speak and act beneficially.
It does not satisfy me and does not serve our goal if the stagnation is due to the Turkish side. That is not the point for me. Because the point is that there should be positive developments. After all, it is our own country that continues to be under occupation and we must do everything possible. Despite the difficult environment, challenges and disappointments, I am not discouraged or distracted from my goal. We will continue the effort. I have, and we all have, an obligation to take advantage of any glimmer of hope, and if there is none, to create it. With realism, confidence and determination we send the message again tonight that the status quo is not compatible with our aspirations. We will never settle for the results of the invasion and the fait accompli of the occupation; we will never legitimise the barbed wire that divides our country. The return to Famagusta and the reunification of our homeland is a one-way street for us.
Moreover, beyond what I have said above, we all know very well whom the passage of time favours. It is precisely for all these reasons that we have been working from day one to resume the talks. We are ready to come to the dialogue table even tomorrow on the basis of the agreed framework for the search for a solution of a bizonal bicommunal federation, the negotiating acquis and of course the principles and values of the European Union (EU), of which the Republic of Cyprus is a member state and will continue to be a member state after the resolution of the Cyprus problem.
Our vision, sustainable, durable and achievable, is the achievement of a viable and workable solution that will truly reunite our land and our people. Such a solution, such a success will be a top national achievement. Above all, it will be the key ingredient for a healthy and hopeful future for our children, in a modern European homeland, free of barbed wire, occupying troops and anachronistic guarantees. So let us all aim for this success together, united, and let us not look for winners and losers. As long as there is no solution, we are all losers, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.
The solution we envision has no losers, only winners. And among them are our Turkish Cypriot compatriots, the vast majority of whom we consider victims of Turkey's occupying army.
I strongly believe that many of the concerns of our Turkish Cypriot compatriots can be addressed through the EU, through the European acquis, which also safeguards their interests as European citizens.
Strongly and unitedly, therefore, we must all stand by this truth and present it in a clear way: our priority is the solution, reunification, security and the well-being of all Cypriots and legal residents on our island, and for all this we must continue our efforts together, in earnest. Anything other than reunification will not secure the interests and peaceful future of the Cypriot people in this land. And this truth cannot be discounted.
And in this effort a united and strong internal front is indispensable. Particularly at this crucial juncture, half a century after the Turkish invasion, we all know very well and have experienced the disastrous consequences of internal divisions, of barren confrontations for the sake of serving, unfortunately, often other purposes. No one and nothing is above the homeland and the need to ensure conditions of security and prosperity for us and our children. And you, Friends of Famagusta, have an important role to play, united, and using every means to activate the new generation of refugees, passing on the love for Famagusta and the desire to return.
A few days ago, as a result of our own persistent efforts to both the UN Secretary General and the EU, always in cooperation with the Greek Government, I have been approached by the UN to participate on 13 August, on a specific date, in a trilateral meeting with the UN Secretary General in New York, with the aim of resuming the talks. My response was of course positive and I hope - we have not been informed so far - that the same response will be received from the Turkish side, and that the holding of the meeting will lead to positive results, which cannot be anything other than the resumption of the talks. Pending developments, please allow me at this stage not to go into further details on this particular issue.
In this great effort which I hope very soon to begin, I am not alone, I cannot be alone: I feel the support of the refugee world, of our occupied municipalities and communities, of the organised assemblies and of the majority of the political forces, but above all, I am encouraged by the will of all of you, who are the irresistible force of demand and the unshakable voice of protest. And I would like to take this opportunity tonight to thank the Mayor and the Famagusta City Council for their constant and painstaking struggle in every international forum to make this shame known to the civilized world. Friend Mayor, you can be sure that we will continue and strengthen this cooperation, because Famagusta is at the forefront of our struggle: I also belong to the generation of the war, and I feel a profound emotion because this event every year is full of young people, who may not have memories of the city, but who love it equally, care for it and ache for it. They are moved by the sight of it, and tearfully sing the lyrics written about this unforgettable city. This, in my opinion, is the greatness of our people, who throughout these 50 years have kept the flame of their desire to return burning, kept their faith in vindication intact, and shout to the whole world that "no one forgets, nothing is forgotten."
Fifty years after the twin crimes of 1974, our country remains territorially mutilated, politically and administratively traumatised.
Fifty years after the twin crimes of 1974, our country remains territorially mutilated, politically and administratively traumatised. In 1974, the Republic of Cyprus suffered a double rape that wounded, divided, and bent it, but despite all the illegal attempts to annihilate it, it did not destroy it. The Republic of Cyprus is on the road to stability, development and prosperity, thanks to the hard work and sacrifices of our people, our parents and grandparents. Tonight, with our eyes fixed on Famagusta, we also honour those who fought for the preservation of legitimacy in our homeland, for the territorial integrity and independence of the Republic of Cyprus.Our thoughts remain, no matter how many years have passed, with the displaced, the missing, our heroic prisoners, the relatives of our fallen, all those who bear the wounds of the crime committed against our country and our people. The greatest vindication for the memory and struggle of all can be nothing less than the end of the occupation and reunification. The starting point and the end of our effort is the route from Karpasia, to Salamis, to Famagusta, to Morphou, to Lapithos, to Karavas, to Kyrenia, to our Maronite villages. This route passes through the churches of Agios Nikolaos, Agia Zoni, Stavros, Agios Georgios Xorinos, Agios Loukas, Republic Street and Kennedy Avenue, the Lyceum of Greek Women, the Arenon Gymnasium, Golden Beach, the beach of Glossa, the rocks of Kostantia, the Tower of Othello.
Where our ancestors are buried, the ends of the threads of our lives, where our parents made their most beautiful dreams. Where our children will dream and create again for their own children. Let us never forget the words of the beloved Ammochotian Niki Katsiaouni:
"And we birds who were driven away in August by your enemies, know that we will return faithful to your spring."
(PM/EATH/NZ)
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs to PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
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