36th anniversary of the fascist Greek coup in Cyprus. The aim of the bloody coup carried out by the military Junta in Greece was to unite the island to Greece, or to realize ENOSIS.
The coup was orchestrated against the Greek Cypriot Archbishop Makarios, the former President of the Republic of Cyprus by supporters of EOKA and the Greek junta who wanted the immediate unification of the island with Greece.................
Overthrown by the junta, Archbishop Makarios was replaced by the notorious EOKA Leader Nikos Sampson as the so-called President of the `Republic of Cyprus`.
During the military coup, nearly 2-thousand Greek and Greek Cypriots, mainly supporters of Makarios were killed.
Archbishop Makarios's: speech delivered before the UN Security Council on 19/7/74
"I should like at the outset to express my warmest thanks to the members of the Security Council for the keen interest they have shown in the critical situation created in Cyprus after the coup which was organised by the military regime in Greece and was put into effect by the Greek officers serving in and commanding the Cyprus National Guard. I am particularly grateful that the Security Council has agreed to postpone its meeting until my arrival here to give me the opportunity of addressing it on the recent dramatic events in Cyprus. What has been happening in Cyprus since last Monday morning is a real tragedy. The military regime of Greece has callously violated the independence of Cyprus. Without trace of respect for the democratic rights of the Cypriot people, without trace of respect for the independence and Sovereignty of the Republic of CYPRUS, the Greek junta has extended its dictatorship to Cyprus. It is indeed a fact that for some time now the intention was becoming obvious. The people of Cyprus had for a long time feeling that a coup by the Greek junta was brewing, and this feeling became more intense during the recent weeks when the terrorist organisation 'EOKA B', directed from Athens, had renewed its wave of violence. I knew all along that the illegal organisation had its roots and supply resources in Athens. I became aware that the Greek officers staffing and commanding the National Guard were recruiting members for the organisation, and they supported it in various ways to the point of access to the munition supply stores of the national Guard. In the camps of the National Guard, the Greek officers were conducting open propaganda in favour of that illegal organisation and turned the National Guard from an organ of the State into an instrument of subversion. Whenever, from time to time, I complained to Athens about unbecoming conduct by Greek officers of the National Guard, the reply was that if I had concrete evidence in proof thereof those found guilty would be recalled. From the whole tenor of their attitude, I received the unmistakable impression that their standard response was a pretence of innocence. A few days ago documents came into the hands of the Cyprus police clearly proving that 'EOKA B' Was an appendage of Athens Regime.
Funds were being remitted from Athens for the upkeep of this Organisation and detailed directives regarding its actions were also given to it. I then found it necessary myself to address a letter to the President of the Greek regime. General Gizikis, asking him to give orders for the cessation of the violence and bloodshed by 'EOKA B' and for its dissolution. I also requested him to recall the Greek officers serving with the National Guard, adding that my intention was to reduce the numerical strength of this Force and to turn it into an organ of the Cyprus State. I was waiting for a reply. My impression was that the Athens regime did not favour the reduction of the Force, much less the withdrawal of the Greek officers. The Greek Ambassador in Cyprus called on me, on instructions from his Government, in order to explain to me that the decrease in the numerical strength of the National Guard or the withdrawal of the Greek officers would weaken the defence of Cyprus in case of danger from Turkey. This was an argument which, even though it appeared logical was not convincing because I knew that behind this argument other interests were hidden. I replied that as things developed I consider the danger from Turkey of a lesser degree than the danger from them. And it was proved that my fears were justified. On Saturday, 13 July, a conference under the presidency of General Gizikis was held in Athens, which lasted for many hours. It was attended by the Greek Chief of Staff of the armed forces, the Ambassador of Greece to Cyprus, the commander of the purpose of discussing the content of the letter As was stated in a relevant conmmunique issued at the end of the conference, it was to be reconvened on Monday, 15 July. The reference in the communique to a second conference was deceiving. For a while on Monday I was waiting for a reply to my letter, the reply came, and it was the coup. On that day, I returned from my summer house on the Troodos,mountains, where I had spent the weekend. and by 8 a.m. I was at my office at the Presidential Palace. Half an hour later I was welcoming in the reception room a group of boys and girls , members of the Greek orthodox youth from Cairo who came to Cyprus as my guests for a few days. Hardly had I greeted them when the first shots were heard Within seconds the shots became more frequent and a member of the Presidential guard informed me that armoured cars and tanks had passed the fence and were already in the yard of the presidential Palace which was shaking from mortar shells. The situation soon became critical. I tried to call Cyprus Radio Station for the purpose of issuing a special broadcast announcing that the Presidential Palace was under attack. but I realised that the lines were cut off`. Heavy shelling was ever increasing. How life was saved seemed like a providential miracle. when I eventually found myself in the area of Paphos. I addressed the people of Cyprus from local radio station informing them that I am alive and that I will struggle with them against the dictatorship which the Greek regime is trying Impose. I do not intend to occupy the time of the members of the Security Council with my personal adventure. I simply wish to add that during second day of the armed attack the armoured cars and tanks were moving towards Paphos, while at the same time a small warship of the National Guard began shelling the Bishophric of Paphos where I was staying. Under the circumstances, 1 found it advisable to leave Cyprus rather than into the hands of the Greek junta. I am grateful to the British Government which made available helicopter to pick me up from Paphos, transfer me to the British base and from there by plane to Malta and London. I am also grateful to Special Representative of the secretary-general and to the Commander of the Peace-Keeping Force in Cyprus for the interest which they shown for my safety. My presence in this room of the Security Council was made possible thanks to the help given to me by the British Government and the representatives of the secretary-general, Waldheim, who's keen concern for me and for the critical situation which developed in Cyprus moves every fibre of my heart. I do not know as yet all the details of the Cyprus crisis caused the Greek military regime. I am afraid that the number of casualties Large and that the material destruction is heavy. what is, however , our primary concern at present is the ending of the tragedy. When 1 reached London. I was informed of the content of`the speech of the representative Of Greek junta to the United Nations. I was surprised at the way they are trying To deceive world public opinion. With out a blush, the Greek junta is making efforts to simplify the situation,claiming that it is not involved in the armed attack and that developments of the last few days are an internal matter of the Greek Cypriots. 1 do not believe that there are people who accept the allegations the Greek military regime. The coup did not come about under circumstances as to be considered an internal matter of the Greek Cypriots It is clearly an Invasion from outside. in flagrant violation of the Independence and sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus. The so called coup was the work of the Greek officers staffing and commanding National Guard. I must also underline the fact that the Greek contingent composed of 950 officers and men stationed in Cyprus by virtue of the Treaty of Alliance which played a prominent role in this aggressive affair against Cyprus . The capture of the airport outside the capital was carried out by officers and men of the Greek contingent campaign near the airport It is enough to state on this point that certain photographs appearing in the world press show armoured vehicles and tanks belonging to the Greek contingent in Cyprus. On the other hand, the Greek officers serving with the National Guard were directing the operations. in these operations they recruited many members of the terrorist organisation 'EOkA B' whom they armed with weapons of the National Guard. If the Greek officers serving in the National Guard were involved, how does one explain the fact that among the casualties in battle were Greek officers whose remains were transported to Greece and buried there? If Greek officers did not carry out the coup how does one explain the fact of night flights of Greek aircraft transporting to Cyprus personnel in civilian clothes and taking back to Greece dead and wounded ? There is no doubt that the coup was organised by the Greek junta and carried out by the Greek officers commanding the National Guard and the officers and men of the Greek contingent stationed in Cyprus - and it was reported as such by the press around the globe..................
