Cyprus-Forum.com

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New York.- By Apostolis Zoupaniotis

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The Greek American community will organise various events to mark the 35th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus and condemn Turkey’s continuing illegal occupation of the island’s northern part.

On Sunday, July 19, Archbishop Demetrios conducted a memorial service for the victims of the July 1974 military coup against the government of the late Archbishop Makarios and the Turkish invasion which followed, at Saint Catherine’s church, and delivered a speech. The consul generals of Greece and Cyprus and Cyprus Federation of America and International Coordinating Committee -- Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA) representatives gave short greetings.

On Monday, July 20, the Cyprus Federation of America and PSEKA will host a cultural event in Astoria to include songs, poetry and testimony reading. Archbishop Demetrios and Cypriot and Greek diplomats will address the event. The protection of Cyprus’ cultural heritage, which is in peril due the continuing Turkish occupation, will be the focus of various events to be hosted on 21, 22 and 23 of July in Washington.

On Tuesday, July 21, the Helsinki Commission of Congress (consisting of Senate and House of Representatives members) will host a briefing at Congress with the issue of “Cyprus’s religious and cultural heritage in peril”.

The panelists of the briefing include Charalampos Chotzakoglou, Professor of Byzantine Art and Archaeology, Klaus Gallas, Art Historian and Byzantine expert Michael Jansen, author of “War and Cultural Heritage: Cyprus after the 1974 Turkish Invasion.”

A report prepared by the Law Library of Congress, “Destruction of Cultural Property in the Northern Part of Cyprus and Violations of International Law” will be released at the briefing.

A press release issued yesterday by Senator Benjamin Cardin, Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, and Co-Chairman Congressman Alcee Hastings, says that “the 35-year-long artificial division of Cyprus has taken a tremendous toll on the lives of the people of that country. Despite clear international commitments on the importance of preserving religious and cultural heritage, hundreds of churches, chapels and monasteries in the northern part of Cyprus remain in peril. Thousands of icons, manuscripts, frescos, and mosaics have been looted from sites in northern Cyprus -- many ending up on international auction blocks.”

The impetus to hold this briefing was given after on the spot finding by senior advisors of members of Congress, who have recently visited Cyprus, of the extent of the destruction of the Cypriot cultural heritage in the occupied territories. Some of them spoke to the MPs with anxiety about the loot of the sacred places of worship in the occupied territories.

Similar lectures on the destruction of the Cypriot cultural heritage in the occupied areas will be held on July 22, at the US Inter-religious Commission on July 23 at the distinguished Hudson Institute.

The Coordinated Effort of Hellenes will hold a Capitol Hill commemoration of the division and occupation of Cyprus. It will take place at a breakfast reception on Wednesday, July 22 from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. in the Speakers Dining Room (H-122) in the U.S. Capitol Building.

Those in attendance will include between 20 and 30 of the top advocates for Cyprus in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.

The hosts of this reception, who will also be in attendance, include many of the most active Greek-American and Cypriot-American community leaders – the board members of CEH. They will be meeting that week with numerous key Senators, Members of Congress and Administration officials regarding Cyprus settlement efforts.

MESSAGE OF PHILIP CHRISTOPHER
The President of PSEKA Philip Christopher issued the following statement on the occasion of the 35th Anniversary of the Turkish Invasion.

“Another year has passed and we are nearing the 35th Year of the invasion and occupation of Cyprus. It is once again time for us to reflect our strengths and weaknesses, achievements and disappointments. We call on people to attend the Memorial Service at St. Demetrios in Astoria and CYPRUS…..35 YEARS LATER, a cultural event at the Hellenic Cultural Center (information listed below). A Congressional Commemoration of the Cyprus Invasion and Occupation will also be held on Capitol Hill on July 21st & 22nd. Hellenic Communities around the world are commemorating this tragic date in various ways.

The world has changed since 1974. The Republic of Cyprus is now a member of the European Union. Cyprus today, is not the Cyprus of 1974. Today The Republic of Cyprus is a cosmopolitan nation. The Speaker of the Parliament is of Armenian descent. There is a Russian community of 20,000, a thriving Armenian and Maronite Community, and a significant East Asian community as well. Cyprus today is bridge of Europe to the Middle East, with a strong economy, that guarantees all rights to all citizens.

We urge everyone to remember that the Cyprus problem is not a bi-communal problem, it is a problem of invasion and continued occupation. The solution of the Cyprus tragedy lies squarely with the Turkish generals and the Turkish government. A solution cannot be achieved without the removal of all Turkish troops and settlers, and the return of all Cypriot citizens to their ancestral homes.

Let’s all take some time on Sunday to remember the tragic events of July 20, 1974. To spend a few minutes in recognition of those who gave their lives, of the missing, of the refugees, and of the enclaved. Our children and grandchildren have grown up never seeing their family homes. The overseas Cypriots have waged their own war against the Turkish occupation, and we have struggled against sometimes seemingly insurmountable forces.

Although through the years we have not been frightened off by the success of the affluent Turkish lobby or the general indifference of the international community, many of us have been overtaken by the feeling of complacency. I encourage everyone to continue the fight for justice for the Cypriot people. Some things are clearly inherently right or wrong. And right is on the side of freedom for Cyprus!

We urge everyone to stay strong and focused on battling this great ongoing injustice, and assure you that we will not stop, we will not rest, until we see the removal of Turkish troops, the removal of the illegal settlers, and return of all refugees to their homes.

We urge all individuals, to express their frustration in the way they feel appropriate. Whether it’s writing letters to their Member of the Senate and Congress, writing editorials, or demonstrating their frustration outside of the Turkish embassy hosting cultural events – everything counts, everything matters, as long as we work legally and cohesively, as long as our efforts are united and work toward a common strategy.

I am very happy to see the younger generation of Cypriot and Greek Americans active in the cause for justice for Cyprus. Our younger people may not have seen first hand the pain and violence of the war, but their hearts and souls are tied to Cyprus and the cause of justice and human rights.”