"The 52nd anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus—this imperialist crime against the Cypriot people, whose scars remain visible to this day—serves as a reminder of what imperialist plans and their murderous alliances, such as NATO, truly mean for the peoples.
The necessary pretext for the invasion by the NATO-member Turkish army, which resulted in thousands of dead, missing and displaced persons and the occupation of 37% of Cyprus, had been provided just days earlier by the equally NATO-backed Greek military junta through the coup d'état it orchestrated against the government of Archbishop Makarios. At the same time, the United States and NATO itself openly facilitated the invasion through their stance and inaction.
This painful historical experience is sufficient to expose the myths propagated by the New Democracy government and the other parties of Euro-Atlanticism—that imperialist alliances such as NATO, or a European Union with 'strategic autonomy', can somehow guarantee the sovereign rights of any people.
Moreover, Cyprus's accession to the European Union, the strengthening of its ties with NATO, its strategic alliances with the United States and the murderous state of Israel, and the transformation of the island into an 'energy hub' through the involvement of major U.S. energy corporations have not only failed to bring about a 'just solution' to the Cyprus issue. On the contrary, they have drawn Cyprus even deeper into the eye of the storm of imperialist rivalries and military conflicts, making it a target for retaliation, as demonstrated by the recent attacks against the British military bases on the island.
The frigates and military aircraft dispatched by Greece and other European countries were sent to protect these foreign military installations and the ongoing NATOisation of the island—not, of course, to defend the Greek Cypriot population, as the government provocatively claimed and as all the other parties, with the exception of the KKE, readily echoed.
At the same time, this course serves as a catalyst for dangerous partitionist arrangements that legitimise and perpetuate the occupation. Recent press reports concerning a new plan currently under preparation for a 'loose federation', consisting of two constituent states and two separate parliaments, are further proof of this. The proposal reportedly envisages a multinational military force under NATO auspices, including Turkish troops, as the guarantor of the island's 'security'. Simultaneously, efforts are being made to pave the way for 'direct trade, flights and contacts' between other states and the occupied northern part of Cyprus.
These proposals are dangerous and unacceptable—indeed, even worse than those rejected by the Cypriot people in the referendum on the Annan Plan. They confirm the KKE's long-standing assessment of what the former compromise of the 'bizonal, bicommunal federation' has in reality evolved into over the years.
What is required today is the development of a coordinated workers' and people's struggle by Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots alike, in opposition to the imperialist designs for the island, for the reunification of Cyprus and its people; to build a wall of resistance against both nationalism and the cosmopolitanism of capital; for an independent and united Cyprus—that is, one state, not two—with a single sovereignty, a single citizenship and a single international legal personality; a common homeland for Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins; free from occupation forces and all foreign troops and military bases; without guarantor powers or foreign protectors; with the people themselves sovereign."
This painful historical experience is sufficient to expose the myths propagated by the New Democracy government and the other parties of Euro-Atlanticism—that imperialist alliances such as NATO, or a European Union with 'strategic autonomy', can somehow guarantee the sovereign rights of any people.
Moreover, Cyprus's accession to the European Union, the strengthening of its ties with NATO, its strategic alliances with the United States and the murderous state of Israel, and the transformation of the island into an 'energy hub' through the involvement of major U.S. energy corporations have not only failed to bring about a 'just solution' to the Cyprus issue. On the contrary, they have drawn Cyprus even deeper into the eye of the storm of imperialist rivalries and military conflicts, making it a target for retaliation, as demonstrated by the recent attacks against the British military bases on the island.
The frigates and military aircraft dispatched by Greece and other European countries were sent to protect these foreign military installations and the ongoing NATOisation of the island—not, of course, to defend the Greek Cypriot population, as the government provocatively claimed and as all the other parties, with the exception of the KKE, readily echoed.
At the same time, this course serves as a catalyst for dangerous partitionist arrangements that legitimise and perpetuate the occupation. Recent press reports concerning a new plan currently under preparation for a 'loose federation', consisting of two constituent states and two separate parliaments, are further proof of this. The proposal reportedly envisages a multinational military force under NATO auspices, including Turkish troops, as the guarantor of the island's 'security'. Simultaneously, efforts are being made to pave the way for 'direct trade, flights and contacts' between other states and the occupied northern part of Cyprus.
These proposals are dangerous and unacceptable—indeed, even worse than those rejected by the Cypriot people in the referendum on the Annan Plan. They confirm the KKE's long-standing assessment of what the former compromise of the 'bizonal, bicommunal federation' has in reality evolved into over the years.
What is required today is the development of a coordinated workers' and people's struggle by Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots alike, in opposition to the imperialist designs for the island, for the reunification of Cyprus and its people; to build a wall of resistance against both nationalism and the cosmopolitanism of capital; for an independent and united Cyprus—that is, one state, not two—with a single sovereignty, a single citizenship and a single international legal personality; a common homeland for Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins; free from occupation forces and all foreign troops and military bases; without guarantor powers or foreign protectors; with the people themselves sovereign."