Cyprus must not become an aggressive launching pad for raids

Statement by AKEL Political Bureau member Neoklis Sylikiotis on the US military presence in Cyprus

AKEL C.C. Press Office, 23 February 2020, Nicosia

Today’s press reports in the weekly Kathimerini newspaper, which follow other press reports with regards the military presence of the US in Cyprus, raise logical questions and heighten the concerns of the Cypriot people.

The government has declared that the facilities granted in Cyprus to the US “rapid intervention force” are of a humanitarian nature with the task of evacuating diplomatic missions from the region.

We hope that that is precisely how things stand. That they are not or should not evolve into anything that could involve our country in dangers. The last thing that needs to happen is for Cyprus to become an aggressive launching pad for waging raids. Cyprus will be targeted if it is in any way involved in the US war plans for the region. Those forces and circles who claim that Cyprus’ attachment to the war machine of NATO and the US – as demonstrated by the notorious Menendez-Rubio Act – strengthens our country, must explain to the Cypriot people the dangers being created for our homeland and its security. .

The truth is that the DISY-Anastasiades government’s choice to attach itself to the US-NATO war machine and the military agreements/partnerships concluded with US-Israel are sending out erroneous messages to the region and create dangers, making our country part of the confrontation.

Furthermore, these policies pursued by the DISY-Anastasiades government also create problems in the relations with important countries which traditionally support Cyprus.