ANY EFFORT to move away from a bizonal, bicommunal federal solution would be tantamount to “attempted suicide”, President Demetris Christofias said yesterday.
Speaking in Limassol at the reburial of the remains of Andreas Kestas, killed during the July 1974 military coup against the government, Christofias said all previous presidents of the Republic since 1977 have accepted a solution based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality as set out by the UN Security Council resolutions.
“And not only would it be a historic mistake, it would be attempted suicide” to try now to move away from this commitment, he said.
The president warned that Cypriots had the option of this type of a solution or partition, where they would lose a large part of their country.
“Is this what we want, because we can’t rid ourselves of the nationalism complex?” he asked.
“Turkish Cypriots are rebelling as Cypriots who want to live with their compatriots in conditions of peace and cooperation. Are we receiving this message in the Greek Cypriot community? Yes or no? Allow me to have doubt. Certain forces appear to be living in another world,” added Christofias.
After engaging in a firefight with men of EOKA B and the coupists in Limassol in July 1974, Kestas went to Akrotiri, unarmed and in civilian clothing. He was captured by armed men of EOKA B and taken to the village school.
“There in the village school, in the place of knowledge and values, Kestas and his fellow fighters were brutally tortured. They were then transferred to an unknown place where they were abused in a brutal and inhumane way by people sick from fascism and intolerance. Finally, they were cowardly executed,” said Christofias.
Referring to parliament’s recent approval of the File on Cyprus’ recent history, Christofias said the report brought to light documents and testimonies surrounding the “great betrayal” of Cyprus.
“(It) substantiates everything that the political forces in Cyprus and the people have been saying for years, that the crime against Cyprus and its people was premeditated and that NATO, Turkey, the Greek junta and their people here played an important role in committing this crime,” he said. “Today when we honour a hero of the Republic and the resistance (against the coupists), it is appropriate to express once again our disappointment that the File on Cyprus was not approved unanimously by parliament,” he added.
An opportunity was missed to bring unity to the country. “To do that requires the power of repentance. It seems some do not posses that,” he said.
