By George Psyllides
THOUSANDS OF people of all ages and walks of life lined up yesterday to pay their last respects to former president Glafcos Clerides who died on Friday at the age of 94.
His body was lying in state at the church of Ayia Sophia throughout Monday ahead of a funeral service today.
As it was carried up the path lined by military police officers at around 8.30am, mourners greeted the casket with tears and applause. Soon hundreds were lining up to pay their respects and bid the former president farewell.
The coffin, draped with the Greek and Cyprus flags, was carried by members of his guard while his close associate and friend Pantelis Kouros followed closely just as he had throughout Clerides’ life
President Nicos Anastasiades and the entire Cabinet paid their respects at the church after having signed the book of condolences at the Presidential Palace.
Former Ministers of Labour Andreas Moushoutas and Commerce Kyriacos Christofi who had served during Clerides’ term in office were also at the church.
“His legacy is his vision and pragmatism and the honour and pride with which he carried himself,” said 65-year-old teacher Andreas Aspros with a tear in his eye.
Aspros’ wife Eleni, 64, who worked at the presidential palace when Clerides was in power, said the former president dedicated all his time to Cyprus and its political problem.
“He was a great person and treated everyone with respect no matter their political affiliation,” she said.
Tributes were also pouring in from foreign dignitaries and heads of state who had either worked with him or met him during his long political career.
The Turkish foreign ministry also issued a statement expressing sadness, the first time it has done so for a Greek Cypriot leader.
“We are saddened by the news of the passing of Glafcos Clerides, a lawyer and politician who assumed a number of important positions at critical times, starting with the phase of establishment of the partnership State in Cyprus 1960, who served the Greek Cypriot community that he has led for several years,” the Turkish foreign ministry said in a press release.
A spokesperson for British Prime Minister David Cameron said: “Mr Clerides was a respected and distinguished statesman. He made an outstanding contribution to Cyprus throughout his life, and set a personal example of courage, wisdom and decency, including his distinguished service in World War II where he fought with the Royal Air Force to keep Europe free from fascism.”
The German Ambassador to Cyprus said Clerides would be remembered in Germany.
“President Clerides will be remembered in Germany as an outstanding personality who has served his country and his people with love and loyalty throughout his political life. With wisdom and vision he paved Cyprus’ way to membership of the European Union and has thereby written history,” Gabriela Guellil said in a written statement.
Clerides dedicated 70 years to his country and the majority of that to politics so he deserved a final farewell said 38-year-old pilot Pambos Eleftheriou, who, like the former president, also comes from the village of Agros.
“He was an honest man and consistently gave so much over so many years setting an example for those who will try to follow in his footsteps,” he said.
Rita Georgiadou, 60, told the Mail that she felt like she had lost a close relative, such was her love and admiration for Clerides.
“I feel like my father has died, I loved him dearly. He was the best politician this country has ever seen and may ever see and no-one, not even his detractors, can deny what a great person he was,” she said.
Thousands are expected to attend the funeral service today. Among them will be the Greek prime minister and the Serbian president.
The day has been declared a public holiday and parliament will convene in a special session to honour the historical leader.
Police and army took all the necessary security measures and an ambulance was on site at the church.
A special digital book of condolences will also be made available at www.clerides.org for those wishing to contribute comments
“You were a great leader and politician but above all you were a great human being. May your ethos be a guiding light for other politicians,” one woman wrote.
Clerides will be laid to rest at the Constantinou and Elenis cemetery next to his beloved wife Lila who died in 2007.
It is the former president’s family’s wish that instead of wreaths, people should make contributions to the Committee of Missing Persons (CMP).
Any person wishing to make donations in his name to the CMP, other than at the church where his funeral will take place, can do so to the following government account, stating the reason for the donation:
Beneficiary: Accountant General of the Republic of Cyprus
Bank: Central Bank of Cyprus
Swift: CBCYCY2N
IBAN: CY16 0010 0001 0000 0000 0600 1010
Account Name: General Government Account
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