Controversy at coup memorial

By Constantinos Psillides
MEMBERS of the government and other officials honoured the memory of those who perished during the July 15 coup in 1974 by attending the annual memorial service of the fallen at the Ayios Constantinos and Ayia Eleni cemetery in Nicosia on Tuesday.
The date marks the 40th anniversary of the coup, which led to the Turkish invasion of July 20, 1974.
“Being fully aware of the dangerous status quo, we have to work together to ensure the future of Greek Cypriots in the lands of our fathers and make those historic decisions needed. To that end, our faith to our just cause must be steeled and at the same time we must preserve our national identity, our Greek language and education, our traditions and our culture,” said Education minister Kostas Kadis, who gave a speech at the memorial on behalf of the government.
Kadis pointed out that Cypriots need to reconcile with their past and recognise mistakes and realise that hatred and animosity lead to failure. “Leadership and the people should walk together, hand in hand, with respect to history and the preservation of historical memory.”
The memorial service was attended by president Nicos Anastasiades, president of the House Yiannakis Omirou and other state officials.
Kadis’ speech caused some controversy, due to using the term “civil strife” to describe the events of July 15.
Main opposition party AKEL’s youth branch EDON issued a statement criticising the minister, accusing him of attempting to forge historical facts.
“Are we to think that those who took up arms against the state had the same to do with destroying Cyprus as those who tried to defend it?” asks EDON.
The AKEL youth branch also criticised the government for attending the memorial service of the 22 commandos that were killed during an assault on the presidential palace on the day of the coup.

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