A social movement for a united Cyprus

A BICOMMUNAL peace movement went public in Nicosia yesterday, with the stated aim of rallying support for a unified federal state.
The United Cyprus Bi-Communal Peace Initiative, was founded three months ago in Limassol, decided to make itself known to the wider public “to give support to the ongoing negotiation process”.
The group used yesterday’s news conference to outline their five primary principles, including what they believed were the current hindrances to reunification. Citing issues of property and demographic change as being serious issues that require both sides’ attention, the group also believes both communities must be continually informed about the ongoing negotiations.
Over 30 Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot organisations, including unions and NGOs, are involved in the initiative and its efforts are supported by over 1,000 signatories so far.
“Our priority must be to fight the separatist, fascist and racist forces that have been instrumental in the division of our island as well as in the rise of chauvinism and enmity,” said Themis Demetriou, spokesperson for the movement.
Demetriou acknowledged that there have been such movements before but said that the United Cyprus Bi-Communal Peace Initiative was founded because Cyprus needs such a movement at this point in history.
“Whether it will become a force that will be effective, is up to us,” he said.
The members of the movement are drawn from both sides of the Green Line and joining it is open to anyone who wishes to lend their support.
“If AKEL wants to come tomorrow and say ‘I am supporting this movement’, which they should be, then they are welcome,” said a one person within the movement who did not wish to be named.
Grigoris Ioannou, a younger member involved in the initiative, said that it was filling a vacuum which existed in the political and diplomatic processes of the island.
“Since the parties don’t take the initiative to do an actual bi-communal event, that’s where we come in,” he said.
Of particular concern to the delegates was the possible victory of Dervis Eroglu’s National Unity Party in April’s elections in the north.
The younger members of the movement stressed that it was necessary for the island’s progress as a society and mentality to arrive at a finalised solution to the division of the island as the current situation prevents any real progress in every other field.
“‘I lost my house and my land, I lost my family, why should I care about immigrants getting beaten up?’ is the attitude that prevails today in Cypriot society,” said one supporter, while another added, “We need to get the Cyprus Problem solved to move forward as a society.”
The movement said it would continue its concerted action until they arrive at their intended aim which is “nothing less than the solution: a united, demilitarised, federated homeland at peace and without divisive barbed wire fences”.

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.