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1960 was a turning point in the struggle against colonialism, bringing about its collapse on a world scale. Nevertheless, the people of Cyprus were not fortunate enough to gain full independence. External interference assisted by mistakes committed internally, led to the Zurich-London Agreements, which left on the island foreign troops and bases, granted intervention “rights” and imposed a constitution that did not contribute to the normal co-existence of the two communities. Foreign interference reached its culmination in July 1974, with the fascist coup d’etat of the Greek junta and the Turkish invasion, which had devastating consequences. The Turkish troops are until today occupying 37% of the territory of Cyprus. 200,000 Cypriots were made refugees in their own country. The fundamental freedoms of movement, settlement and property have been violated. Human rights are being violated. An attempt is carried out to alter the demographic structure of the island by the mass settlement of the occupied areas by mainland Turks. Since 1974, the UN has been trying to help the settlement of the problem. The Makarios-Denktash High-Level agreement of 1977 and the Kyprianou-Denktash High-Level agreement of 1979, provide for the transformation of the Republic of Cyprus from a unitary state to a federal one with two regions, each one to be administered by the respective community. The same agreements provide for the demilitarization of the Republic of Cyprus and the respect of fundamental freedoms. Nevertheless, these agreements have not been implemented yet, because of the intransigence of Turkey and its insistence on a solution that will preserve its own advantages and privileges over the island, at the expense of the Cyprus people as a whole, and on the upgrading of the pseudostate (so-called state) which was declared in 1983 in the occupied areas. Turkey’s positions were always supported by its NATO partners, who were unwilling to exert any pressures and who themselves share responsibility for the creation and perpetuation of the problem. Under the so-called new world order, the situation became even more difficult for the problem since Cyprus lost important friends and supporters such as the Soviet Union, the camp of socialist countries and the Non-Aligned Movement. During this period there was a gradual deviation from the UN resolutions on Cyprus, under the tolerance and the mistakes of the former government of the Democratic Rally. The Plan suggested by the Secretary General of the UN Kofi Anan was the outcome of this course. The Annan plan is the most comprehensive and detailed plan drawn up ever, however it is neither just nor balanced. AKEL accepted it as a basis for negotiation, assessing that it had both positive and negative elements. Certain changes were necessary so that the plan could become acceptable by both communities and lead o a viable and functional solution to the Cyprus problem. However, the negotiation’s procedure did not allow for a substantive dialogue between the two sides to take place in order to reach an agreed solution. It included suffocating timetables and the arbitration process of the General Secretary, which was unfair and one-sided favouring the Turkish positions. As a result the Greek-Cypriots were not pleased with the Plan as it was put before them to vote on. AKEL called for the postponement of the referenda in order to have negotiations on the points which caused concern amongst the Greek Cypriot community and so that the gaps of the plan could be filled. The proposal of AKEL unfortunately was not accepted by the Turkish side. That is why AKEL was forced to call on the people to vote against the Annan plan in that specific version. The result of the referendum among the Greek-Cypriots was 76% against the plan, while 65% of the Turkish-Cypriots accepted it. This is a result fully respected by AKEL. In the current situation of the Cyprus Problem, our Party is working hard, together with the President of the Republic and the National Council for the creation of the preconditions for the resumption of negotiations within the framework of the United Nations as a soon as possible. The creation of these necessary preconditions is of great importance so that a new initiative will be successful. The consequences of another failure will be catastrophic for the efforts of achieving a solution. The resumption of talks should lead to an agreed solution without arbitration and without suffocating timetables. We are working to convince for the need of those necessary changes to the plan of the G.S which will allow the Greek Cypriots to accept it and open the road to a viable and functional solution. The changes we are aiming for do not change the philosophy of the plan, nor do they take away any rights from the Turkish Cypriot community. A solution should serve the Cypriots, Greek-Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, and not the interests of any foreign forces. Unfortunately the solution of the Cyprus problem does not seem to be the priority of the Turkish government and the T/C leadership. On the contrary, all their efforts emphasise in the international upgrading of the regime in the occupied areas through direct trade and through bypassing of the Republic of Cyprus and the international law. In order to open up the road to the solution of the Cyprus problem, the Turkish government needs to change its priorities and give up the advantages and privileges it has gained because of its intransigent behaviour as well as because of the support from its international allies all these years. The international factor, and especially the Americans and the British, should realise that the only way to reach a solution is by pointing out to Turkey that all efforts should be directed towards the solution and that the upgrading of the occupational regime is totally contrary to this aim. The Cyprus problem continues to be an international problem within the framework of the UN and thus the Secretary General should work towards this direction, together with the members of the Security Council. AKEL will continue to fight with all its forces for the peaceful solution of the Cyprus problem within the framework of the UN resolutions and on the basis of the UN resolutions and the High-Level agreements of 1977 and 1979, which provide for a bi-zonal bi-communal federation. The solution should be in keeping with international law, the international conventions on human rights and the acquis communautaire. The solution should provide for the withdrawal of the Turkish occupation troops and settlers. It should restore the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus without giving any rights of unilateral intervention to any foreign country. It should also restore and safeguard the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Cypriots, including that of the right of return of the refugees to their homes and properties. AKEL will consistently support the political equality of the two communities within the framework of federation as this was itself outlined by the resolutions of the UN.
The participants of the International Meeting “The New Order and its Impact on the Greater Middle East” that was held within the framework of the 20th Congress of AKEL in Lefkosia on November 24, 2005: 1. Reassure their support to a solution of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation based on international law, the Security Council Resolutions on the Cyprus Problem, the High Level Agreements and the acquis communautaire. The solution of the Cyprus Problem must be based on one state, with a single sovereignty, international personality and citizenship, with its independence and territorial integrity guaranteed and comprised of two politically equal communities as provided by the relevant Security Council resolutions. The solution must exclude the union of the whole or part of the island with any other state as well as any form of partition or secession and to provide for the demilitarization of the island. 2. Consider that the solution of the Cyprus Problem must guarantee human rights and basic freedoms, including the right of refugees to return to their homes and properties. 3. Consider that the proper way for reaching a peaceful, just, mutually acceptable and viable solution to the Cyprus Problem continues to be through substantial intercommunal talks under the auspices of the UN. 4. Expect that the appropriate conditions for a new initiative on the Cyprus Problem will be created, on the basis of the Annan Plan, with the aim to achieve a few but substantial changes that will render the plan acceptable by both communities. In this initiative there must not be any arbitration and suffocating timetables and the aim should be to achieve an agreed settlement. 5. Consider that the Green Line Regulation as well as the Regulation for the Financial Protocol, which must be adopted without further delay, create the proper preconditions for coming out of the economic adversity of the Turkish-Cypriot community. Support the compromise proposal of the Cyprus government for co-administration of the Famagusta port for the purpose of external trade, with a parallel return of the city to its legal inhabitants. 6. Express their concern for the developing exploitation of the Greek-Cypriot properties in the occupied areas as well as for the continuing influx of the settlers from Turkey. They consider that such actions do not contribute to the creation of the appropriate preconditions for solution to the Cyprus problem and aim to prejudice the contents of the solution. 7. Express their conviction that a solution of the Cyprus Problem which will enable the two communities to live together successfully and build their common European future in a united, bi-zonal, bi-communal federal state, may be reached soon. Lefkosia 24.11.2005
DECLARATION ON CYPRUSThe parties participating in the New European Left Forum XXIII Meeting held in Paris on 10-12 January discussed the Cyprus problem on the basis of a briefing by AKEL. As a result of the discussion they support the following: (1) They underline the urgent need to find a peaceful, just, democratic and viable solution and strongly believe that Kofi Anan’s plan must be used as the basis for negotiations in order to reach a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem; (2) They confirm that the solution of the Cyprus problem must lead to a bi-zonal, bi- communal Federal Cyprus, based on the 1977 and 1979 High Level Agreements, relevant UN Resolutions and International Law, made up of two politically equal Communities as described in paragraph 11 of the UN Secretary General’ s Report of April 1992 and the UN relevant Resolutions; (3) They support a solution that will be based on the consolidation of the security feeling in both Communities and the safeguarding of the human rights and freedoms of all citizens without any discrimination on the basis of national origin. The solution will be based on International Law; (4) They call on all concerned and responsible sides to comply with the above mentioned agreed federal framework paving the way for substantive and meaningful dialogue; (5) They realize that the interested parties must make mutual concessions to reach a viable solution, as described above. Personal and group interests should not sideline the attainable benefits that a reunified Cyprus would provide; (6) They believe that a Federal Cyprus will benefit both communities. Such an environment will provide the opportunity to the two communities to co-exist in a peaceful and democratic framework with their need of security safeguarded. A solution will lead to the creation of an atmosphere, which will not only minimize the emigration of the Turkish Cypriots but also provide the basis to attract Turkish Cypriots back to our island; (7) They realize that when a solution is achieved, the multicultural character, tradition, political culture, institutions and principles of human rights of the E.U, will contribute to the integration and living together of the people of; (8) They understand that the role of institutions is of great importance for the development of a culture of peaceful co – existence. It is essential that the institutions must take on the role of promoting rapprochement, cooperation and friendship between the two communities. Therefore, institutions, such as education and mass media, must refrain from creating and reproducing negative stereotypes towards one another, whilst respecting pluralism. In this perception, history books should be reviewed to reflect all the realities, both negative and positive. Also, for the development of a culture of peaceful co-existence, it is of vital importance each community should learn the language used by the other community. All of these will contribute to the development of mutual understanding and respect; (9) They consider that the nationalistic tendencies and actions continue to serve the circles both within and outside Cyprus that function to maintain the de facto division of the island. The struggle has to continue for the promotion of cooperation and peaceful co-existence between the two communities in Cyprus. Paris 12.1.2003 |
