By Jean Christou
THERE was widespread condemnation yesterday of Nato attacks against Yugoslavia, with announcements and demonstrations denouncing the air strikes.
Over 600 people marched from Eleftheria Square to the American embassy yesterday afternoon to protest against the bombing, which began on Wednesday night.
Around 30 Yugoslavs living in Cyprus joined the protest at the US embassy carrying banners and blowing whistles.
The demonstration was organised by communist party Akel.
The party’s representative for international affairs, Donis Christofinis, told the crowd that Nato was leading the Yugoslav people into a bloodbath.
“The ruthless ruler of the planet, Bill Clinton, and so-called socialist Tony Blair, Nato and the EU are writing a new dark page in the history of humanity,” Christofinis said.
“They are leading the Yugoslav people to a bloodbath; just because they stood up to Nato arrogance they are threatening to drag the whole area of the Balkans into an adventure with an unknown conclusion.”
Further demonstrations are planned for today outside the US embassy. Police said yesterday they had taken extra security measures around the embassies of all participating Nato countries.
Strong condemnation also came from the House of Representatives yesterday.
In a statement released early yesterday, House President Spyros Kyprianou said: “The use of force against Yugoslavia is an unacceptable provocation as regards international law and order, universal principles and the UN charter,” Kyprianou said.
No UN Security Council resolution authorised Nato or any other country to use military force against Yugoslavia, he added.
“There is no doubt the bombings will neither cure nor solve the problem in Kosovo. On the contrary, such action will aggravate human pain, increase the wave of refugees and create further flashpoints, instability and insecurity in this key Balkan region.”
Following a meeting with Yugoslav ambassador Ivan Mrkic yesterday morning, Kyprianou said Nato’s military action created a new situation on the world political scene, “which, if not set right immediately, could result in the abolition of the UN. This will result in international law being valid only when the superpower wants it,” he said, referring to the US.
Mrkic said civilian casualties caused since the air strikes began on Wednesday were growing. “We think that it is the greatest criminal act against the country,” Mrkic said. “My country will not surrender. We believe we are justly fighting for our rights and we will defend our people.”
The government also reacted to the Kosovo crisis.
President Clerides said it should be peacefully resolved and that Kosovo should remain within Yugoslav borders.
“It is another issue whether it should receive a certain autonomy,” he told journalists, adding that the UN Security Council should show more interest in the situation.
Government spokesman Costas Serezis echoed the President’s sentiments at his daily press briefing.
“Cyprus would have preferred if the developments had taken place as a result of a decision by the UN Security Council,” he said.
In response to questions on the possible escalation of the situation, Serezis said: “Like the Greek government, the Cyprus government does not believe the situation could escalate. We are not worried,” he said.
Condemnation also came yesterday from the European Renewal Movement party of Alexis Galanos, the Human Rights Association of Cyprus, the socialist party Edek, the Cyprus Peace Council, the Federation of Environmental and Ecological organisations and the Green party.
