POLITICAL parties and anti-racism groups have united in condemning the visit of Jean-Marie Le Pen to Cyprus next week.
The President of the French National Front is due in Cyprus on October 28 for a six-day visit. While on the island, Le Pen will be giving a presentation at the Four Seasons Hotel in Limassol, where he will talk about Turkish membership of the European Union, the Cyprus problem and its development inside the EU.
Yiannakis Omirou, leader of socialist party EDEK, yesterday told the Cyprus Mail that, “we strongly criticise Le Pen’s views and consider his ideas nationalistic. However, we are a free country so he is entitled to come here. I hope that he respects the political culture of our island, though and I don’t think that I’d be happy to meet him.”
Andros Kyprianou, secretary of international relations at communist party AKEL, said that, “we don’t share his political views and oppose them on a lot of issues. However, he can visit and freely express himself. So far, he hasn’t asked to meet with us, but if he did, we’d consider his request and see what issues we could discuss with him.”
But Doros Polycarpou, President of Action for Support, Equality and Anti-Racism (KISA), was more outspoken: “His visit is not welcome, but we have no option as he is visiting in a private capacity. We know what his views are and I believe his visit will be explosive, as his mixture of racism and nationalism is a very dangerous combination.
“He will most probably point out the danger of flooding Europe with Turkish migrants and will connect this with the Cyprus problem and use Cypriots’ sensitivities on the matter to gain support.
“We will try to persuade the hotel not to allow him use of their facilities and, in co-operation with other democratic organisations, we will attempt to organise a demonstration to his presentation.”
However, Elie Hatem, who is Le Pen’s diplomatic advisor, yesterday telephoned the Cyprus Mail from France, saying that, “we are not anticipating any local opposition as Mr Le Pen has always spoken favourably about Cyprus and defends the island’s position regarding the Turkish opposition. His first visit to Cyprus is a personal one and he will be in touch with some deputies and other personalities while there.”
An official at the French Embassy in Nicosia explained that, “since Mr Le Pen is a Member of European Parliament, it is therefore the responsibility of the EU representation in Cyprus to take care of him while he is on the island.”
Personally I don't understand the reaction AKEL and EDEK on this issue. Nobody told them they have to agree with Le Pen, but how can they be so hostile with somebody that supports our cause while at the same time they meet and are friendly with people that support the occupation, the violation of our human rights and the racist discriminations against us?
I think our politicians should stop acting so stupidly!
Who knows. This guy might be the next PM of France 
