The following is a direct reply from The Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA) by Georgia Maratheftis, to the Philip Christopher, PSEKA “MESSAGE ON THE 35TH YEAR OF THE INVASION AND OCCUPATION OF CYPRUS.” Georgia’s reply is directly below followed by the message from Philip Christopher.
Hello Mr. Christopher,
Generally, this announcement by PSEKA has much better use of language than in the past – not quite so anemic. However, I take issue with the description of any vigil or demonstration, let alone one scheduled to run for 18 hours (as will be occurring in Washington DC this year), as a ‘cultural event’ – the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo did not undertake a cultural event every Thursday for thirty years seeking the remains of their missing children and neither are the participants in the July 19-20 vigil in DC who are demanding the return of the missing Greek Cypriots resulting from the Turkish invasion.
It in no way equates to a poetry reading, a bouzouki recital or the murmuring of a prayer at the feet of a Baba – which are clearly community actions / cultural events that one could organize/undertake for ANY REASON. Hardly any effort needed at all really to commemorate the loss of so much, by so many, for so long.
Georgia Maratheftis
MESSAGE OF MR. PHILIP CHRISTOPHER, PRESIDENT OF PSEKA ON THE 35TH YEAR OF THE INVASION AND OCCUPATION OF CYPRUS
Now we have a cosmopolitan Cyprus with a communist President, so who cares any more about the Turkish occupation of our land?
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.
I remind everyone that we have promises to keep and miles to go before we sleep. We have made promises to our children, our parents and grandparents to see a united, free Republic of Cyprus .
Memorial service for the victims of the Turkish invasion
Memorial for the late Archbishop Makarios
Sunday July 19th 9:30 am
Church of Saint Catherine • 22-30 33rd Street, Astoria
CYPRUS: 35 YEARS LATER
A cultural event [with bouzoukia and baglamades] commemorating the 35th year of the Turkish invasion
Antonis Tsimounis: voice, bouzouki
Mavrothis Kontanis: voice, oud, baglama
Glafkos Kontemeniotis: Keyboards
Theodora P. Loukas: Poetry reading
Andreas Tselepos: Reading of personal memoirs
Program director: Polys Kyriacou
MONDAY, JULY 20th 2009 – 7:30 PM
Hellenic Cultural Center of Greek Archdiocese
Corner of Newtown & Crescent in Astoria