Xenophobic labels do not help

Sir,
I am writing to you in response to a letter you published by Nicos Margolis on his comments about Armenian Cypriots hindering reunification of the island.

I believe this is the misguided opinion of one person and I would love to know where he got his “almost 100 per cent – of Armenian Cypriots voted ‘no’” figure from – unless he was standing over every Armenian at the ballot box. However, the tone and attitude of his letter is indicative of the type of behaviour that has divided Cyprus into two parts already.

Not all Armenians voted ‘no’, but as it was obvious at the time, the media and public intimidation of voters was very strong, and most ‘yes’ voters kept their opinions for the ballot box, Armenians included.

Cyprus is not only the home of Mr Margolis (he doesn’t even live here from what I gather), but to all people who by fate, chance, luck or misfortune happen to have temporary custody of this small island in the Eastern Mediterranean.

I for one, with my family, campaigned for a ‘yes’ vote throughout all the hysteria leading up to the referendum, which happened to be held on the day (April 24) when the Armenian nation as a whole remembers the genocide perpetuated against them by the Ottoman Empire in 1915.

Mr Margolis’ labelling and demonising the Armenians for voting ‘no’ is wholly indicative of the xenophobic and racist attitude of many people living on Cyprus. The Armenians of Cyprus, who despite tracing their roots back to the 10th century, are still classified as 3rd class citizens under the 1960 segregationist constitution of Cyprus, which by law and design, has systematically marginalised all minorities, and taking the for preventing Mr Margolis from enjoying a drink in a London café with his friends is all but a joke!

Everyone is responsible for the re-unification of Cyprus, and I suggest as he is so passionate about his convictions, he take the next flight to one of the three airports on the island and give us all a helping hand.
Arto Malian, Nicosia

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.