This note is a more specific and detailed text in which information beyond what can be found on the walls of our theme is included. In the first pages you can find a historical review of the Cyprus issue starting from 1960 and the Zurich-London agreements. This is followed by the demolition of some additional myths that are often promoted and then the action of the Left and AKEL since then. At the end, additional relevant writings published by EDON or AKEL are attached.
For anything else you wish to know about the Cyprus problem, please do not hesitate to ask the EDONite(s) who will be in the thematic area. Have a good read!
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The Cyprus problem is one of the most complex and long-lasting political issues in the Eastern Mediterranean. Since Cyprus’ independence in 1960, with the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus under the Zurich and London Agreements, internal tensions have not been eased. The collapse of the constitutional system in 1963 led to intercommunal conflicts. It was then that the Turkish Cypriots created the enclaves in which they settled to protect themselves. The tensions between the two communities developed into bloody conflicts with official interventions by Turkey, such as the Battle of Tylliria and the bombing of Lorovouno. In this bombardment several people were killed, including members of the Popular Movement, such as Kusoulides, Astanios, Kareklas and others.
Photo of the bombing:
The clashes between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots continued until 1974 when the greatest crime was committed against the Cypriot people. The treacherous coup of EOKA II with the support of the Junta and the Americans, followed by the Turkish Invasion. On 15 July ’74, the fascist EOKA B with the support of the aforementioned, unleashed fire against the presidential and Makarios. Makarios eventually secretly escapes from Cyprus with hostilities nevertheless continuing. Crowds of democrats, begin to join the resistance and fight the coup plotters. Five days later, however, on July 20, Turkey, citing its role as a guarantor power, implements the Attila Plan and invades the island. Together with the second invasion on 14 August of the same year, almost undisturbed in both phases, Turkey occupies 37% of our island, which it still holds today. Why undisturbed? Because while the Turkish army was advancing furiously on the territory of Cyprus, the resistance fighters were being held in lock and key by Grivas’ men while the rest of the coup plotters were having fun in Troodos. At the same time the orders of the Greek Huntsmen who were based in the Cypriot officers’ camps to the soldiers were that this was a military exercise and there was no need to return fire.
Photo from the landing of the Turkish army on July 20:
MYTH BUSTING
- MYTH: The coup was an aphrodisiac act.
FACT: No, the coup was neither an aphrodisiac nor an accident. It was criminal, fascist and treasonous. It was criminal because it stood against the then president, Makarios, fascist because it turned the guns against democracy, treasonous because it fought the defenders of law and democracy, the defenders of Cyprus, knowing that an invasion was almost certain.
There was resistance! Hundreds of resistance fighters stood up to the monster of fascism and EOKA II. In the police stations of Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos, the Archbishopric, the Presidential Palace!
Photo of the desecrated Presidential Palace and the Archbishopric in the coup:
- MYTH: Grivas had nothing to do with it, since he died before the summer of 1974, if he had been alive the coup would not have taken place.
FACT: As if crimes were planned in one day, overnight. The coup was premeditated and was signed by Grivas, who was and remains the executioner of Cyprus. His involvement with the Hunts in Greece, the organisation of “X” as well as EOKA B, combined with his nationalist and anti-democratic character, underwrote the crime of 15 July. In his own writings were later found plans which had a physiognomy similar to that of the coup d’état.
The following is an excerpt from an article published in 2013 in the newspaper “Haravgi”:
“According to the Parliament’s Findings, “on 19 December 1971, EOKA B circulated a secret document under the code name “Operation Sfendoni”, which was prepared on the instructions of G. It was an operation to take over the Police Headquarters, the Police Company, which was located near the Police Headquarters and the RIK”. It is noted below in relation to the ‘Apollon’ coup plan: ‘The Apollon coup plan, from information in the Commission’s possession, appears to have been formulated in different phases and at different times. The final editing was carried out by Grivas, who was to lead its implementation.”
Full article at: https://www.edon.org.cy/index.php/arxio/anak-edon/114-dik-antilipsi/istoria/2637-etsi-prodothike-h-kypros
- MYTH: Turkish settlers are exactly the same as Turkish Cypriots.
FACT: As stated in a specific part of our thread, our Turkish Cypriot compatriots are something completely different from the settlers whom Turkey arbitrarily “carried” onto the island after the invasion, in violation of International Law.
On the contrary, Turkish Cypriots lived on the island long before 1974 and are considered to be the indigenous population. Indeed, before the bicommunal riots of ’63, there were villages inhabited entirely by Turkish Cypriots as well as mixed villages inhabited by people from both communities. An example can be the villages of Maratha, Aloa, Santalari, where Turkish Cypriot compatriots, including young children, were even cowardly murdered by the Eucovitazis during the 2nd invasion on 14 August 1974. These murders prove once again the nationalistic, terrorist activity of EOKA II.
In addition, a large part of the Turkish Cypriot community is demonstrating in the streets in favour of the ICO solution, which also makes them different from the Turkish settlers.
Photo with the names of murdered Turkish Cypriots:
*the column “YAŞ” next to the names indicates their age
- MYTH: NATO did not contribute to the organization and commission of the twin crime.
FACT: Known for its terrorist interventions, the so-called “dual unions” and NATO’s dichotomous tendencies, NATO was actively involved in organizing and perpetrating the coup and the invasion. And no, by participating we do not mean militarily! At a NATO meeting in Lisbon in June 1971, during a discussion on the Cyprus problem, it was decided that a solution should be found immediately which would serve the interests of the alliance. Subsequently, at a subsequent meeting, the agreement of the NATO Secretary General to the decision of US Secretary of State Sisko to support Turkish troops in their landing (in Cyprus) during the violent overthrow of Makarios was mentioned. It is also worth noting that NATO, the US and Britain had already approved the Turkish invasion, knowing about the coup, before the first part of the twin crime was implemented. The above facts are enough to understand the involvement of the imperialists and NATO in the Cyprus tragedy.
THE ACTION OF THE LEFT
The Cypriot Left, AKEL and EDON, has always been and continues to be at the forefront of the struggles for the good of Cyprus and its people.
AKEL is the only consistent political force in the country, which is fighting unceasingly for the reunification of our country and the prevalence of peace, reconciliation and coexistence of all communities in our homeland. Since that black morning of 15 July, AKEL has been at the forefront of the resistance and the reserve to defend democracy, to defend Cyprus. It has continued in the same line for the last 51 years. Its actions are countless! Every year, AKEL, together with thousands of EDONites all over the country, organise a multitude of bicommunal events such as the recent tour of occupied Nicosia.
At the same time, always putting the Cyprus problem as a priority, AKEL and EDON make sure to inform people about our national issue by organising lectures, workshops or even by distributing information leaflets to the people.
- Every year on 15 and 20 July, EDON officials make appointments at the main traffic lights in the cities to distribute leaflets on the black anniversaries. Watch the video: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/19NPNPaYao/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Every year we hold the fortnight of rapprochement which includes numerous events, including the magnificent march in memory of our comrades Dervis Ali Kavazoglou and Kostas Misiaouli. The two friends were murdered while being hugged in their car by members of the Turkish Cypriot nationalist organisation TMT. They are for us a symbol of the symbiosis of the two communities and a beacon of our struggles. Next to it, their photo:
- At the same time, every year we hold our annual anti-establishment march, in which I invite every pacifist and progressive person to participate.
- Finally, moving on to the institutional level, AKEL is constantly fighting through the BPA as well as the other institutions for a just and viable solution, on the basis of the agreed UN resolutions. A solution of a bizonal bicommunal federation.
Because for us Cyprus is above political considerations and interests.
The solution of our national problem is a priority for us. The reconciliation and coexistence of the two communities as it was before ’74 is a key concern for us.
For a Cyprus free mother of us all! With an international personality, with the Cypriot people as our only master. Because Cyprus belongs to us, to its people!
ADDITIONAL RELEVANT TEXTS
- Truths and lies about modern Cypriot history [EDON 2019]
- Official published position of AKEL on the Cyprus problem
- 21thEDON Congress Resolution to Turkish Cypriots
In lieu of an epilogue, an engraving by Cypriot artist Hampi Tsangaris (aka Hampi engraver), which depicts our vision for a free and united Cyprus: