Cyprus marks anniversary of EOKA struggle

CYPRUS yesterday marked April 1, which celebrates 56 years since the uprising of the National Organisation of Cypriot Fighters (EOKA) against British colonial rule.

The armed guerrilla-style struggle for self-determination and union with Greece started on April 1, 1955 and lasted four years, leading to the 1960 birth of the Cyprus Republic, guaranteed by Britain, Greece and Turkey.

Festivities yesterday included church and memorial services as well as various events in all cities to mark the launching of the EOKA campaign.

“The anniversary message for today is one of reflection and drawing lessons,” said President Demetris Christofias describing as “tragic” the lack of unity at home.

“This is the message and this is the lesson, if unity prevails we will be able to face Turkish intransigence,” he added.

Ironically, soon after Christofias’ talk about unity, supporters of far right group ELAM, exercised their right to free speech and shouted anti-Christofias slogans when he arrived at the Imprisoned Graves museum to honour EOKA fighter who lost their lives during the uprising.  Police took measures to protect the President.

April 1 fell on a Friday this year giving Cypriots the chance to enjoy a long weekend however be warned that the weather forecast for Saturday and Sunday talks of rain and perhaps even local storms.

Police said they were taking additional road safety measures  for the expected increase in traffic over the three-day weekend.

They will be intensifying seatbelt checks, speeding and drink driving checks, as well as looking out for any motorcyclists not wearing a helmet.

Patrolling will take place especially on roads leading to the beach and to more mountainous areas of the island. Also, where necessary police will be diverting traffic onto the old roads, with similar measures to be enforced on Sunday as people return from trips.

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.