Clerides, 2000

Remarks on the anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, by President Glafcos Clerides. 

Twenty-six years have gone by since the criminal coup and illegal invasion of Cyprus by Turkish forces and the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities still continue to suffer from the consequences of these tragic events.

Reviewing the consequences of the Turkish invasion which occurred after the coup staged by the junta against the legitimate government of the Republic of Cyprus, we note the following political effects, besides the infinite human suffering it has caused:

As a result of the ethnic cleansing enforced by the Turkish army of occupation, about one third of all Greek Cypriots were uprooted from their ancestral homes and continue to this day to be refugees in their own country.

At the same time a large number of Turkish Cypriots who lived in the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus were forced to move to the Turkish-occupied area.

The fundamental freedoms and human rights of both the Greek and Turkish Cypriots have been violated outright by the Turkish leadership.

At the same time, our Turkish Cypriot compatriots have been turned into a minority in the occupied area, having been forced to emigrate for two easons: First, because of the military, political, economic and social conditions prevailing there. Secondly, because of the illegal colonisation of the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus by Turks from Anatolia, Turkey, in accordance with the official policy of Ankara.

In accordance with the same policy, the destruction of the historic and cultural character of the Turkish-occupied area continues.

The anniversaries of the coup and Turkish invasion give us the opportunity to draw some lessons. All Cypriots should follow these lessons in our historic process. I shall not cease to emphasis these lessons: First, there must be total respect for democratic institutions and a substantive dialogue between all the political forces . There should be tolerance of the opposite point of view, but also mutual understanding with the aim of achieving consensus where this is possible. Passions, hatreds, pettiness and extremes should have no room in our political life. Secondly, the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities must realise that we must work hard to build a common and bright future for the benefit of all the inhabitants of Cyprus and not insist on adhering to anachronistic attitudes and methods.

Twenty-six years after the tragic summer of 1974 the Cypriot people are once again before an initiative of the international community - a new phase which is currently evolving for the finding of a comprehensive solution of the Cyprus problem.

Because of the commitment of the representatives of the two communities to observe a strict blackout regarding the issues under dissuasion and the positions of the two sides, I shall refrain from referring to this initiative.

I shall restrict myself to repeating that we are attending the talks, as representatives of the Greek Cypriot side, ready to negotiate seriously, with courage and flexibility, depending on the stand of the representatives of the Turkish Cypriot community. It is our fervent desire to see a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem achieved the soonest possible.

I hope the international community, particularly the countries which are in a position to exert their influence on the Turkish side, will succeed this time in persuading Ankara to acquire the political will required to resolve the Cyprus problem.

We must all - both Greek and Turkish Cypriots - find a good solution which will heal the wounds of the past, overcome the suspicion and sense of insecurity felt by both communities, dispel their fears and concerns and consolidate a climate of confidence, mutual understanding and cooperation.

We must create, all together, new prospects for peace, stability and security on the basis of the UN resolutions and international law and legality so as to be able to enjoy the benefits of harmonious coexistence and cooperation within the European Union. In this way we shall also contribute to the implementation of the international community's aim to achieve security, stability and cooperation among all the countries in the region.

Until a solution is found, the Government of the Republic of Cyprus will continue its policy of strengthening the defence of the free areas within the framework of the Cyprus-Greece Unified Defence Space Dogma.

I wish to take this opportunity to reiterate the thanks and gratitude of Cypriot Hellenism for the invaluable help given to us by the Greek Government, all the political parties of Greece and brotherly Greek people in our struggle, particularly in our diplomatic efforts to join the European Union and as regards the defence sector.

I also wish to express our thanks and gratitude to all the overseas Greeks as well as to other foreign Governments and personalities for their solidarity and active support.

In our struggle, we also give emphasis to the humanitarian issues relating to the enclaved and missing persons. The relatives of the missing are witnesses of our strenuous efforts to ascertain the fate of their loved ones.

Concluding, I would once more like to assure all those who are suffering the consequences of the coup, the invasion and occupation that the Government will continue to remain by their side and strive for a speedy end to their sufferings.