A NEWLY-formed protest group calling itself ‘Britain Reconsider’ will gather outside Akrotiri bases tonight to demonstrate against the British Bases’ presence and British policy towards Cyprus.
The group formed by students is calling on Cypriots from across the political spectrum to join them at 7pm tonight outside Akrotiri Base to voice their exasperation with British policy on Cyprus and to note their disappointment with the Cypriot political leadership.
One of the organisers, Andreas Apostolou, explained during a morning show on Radio Proto yesterday that the initiative was launched by university, college and school students who have no political affiliations with any party. “We are getting together to protest against the Bases’ presence on the island and to show the world that we don’t accept the pro-Turk positions of the British,” he said.
“We believe our political leadership did not do what it had to do, especially after the signing of the strategic alliance between London and Ankara. This is a very important development,” he said referring to the agreement between Gordon Brown and Tayip Erdogan to enhance direct ties with the north.
Apostolou criticised politicians across the political spectrum for not doing enough to deal with the close relationship between Britain and Turkey.
“We are disappointed with the political leadership, and this applies to all, not anyone in particular,” he said.
“Britain refuses to accept the problem for what it is, invasion and occupation, and continues to take a pro-Turkish stance on the Cyprus problem,” he added.
The student group will also be protesting against the presence of British military bases in the east and west of the island.
“We are against the Bases. We find it unacceptable that in 2008, a European country has occupation forces on its territory, because that is what the Bases are, that belong to another European country.”
Apostolou accused Britain of failing to pay rent on the land known as the Sovereign Bases Area, as defined in the 1960 Treaty of Establishment. The issue of rent arrears goes back a few decades now and usually raises its head when relations between Britain and Cyprus are at a low point. Many in Cyprus would like to see the Bases relinquish sovereignty over the SBAs as they consider them to be an unfair relic of the island’s colonial past. Britain on the other hand sees the SBA as a key component of its geopolitical strategies in the region and is quite happy to accept the anachronism.
“Like the initiative to reject the Annan plan, we are not concerned with political allegiances. We call on all people from all the political parties and of all ages to come to the demonstration and support us. As students we want to lead the way,” said Apostolou.
SBA spokesman Captain Nick Ulvert was not aware of the planned demonstration but said the SBA would be happy to hear any complaints as long as the protest remained within the confines of legal activity.
