The Washington Times Prints CANA Letter To Editor: Time for Turkey to talk turkey

For Immediate Release: July 26, 2009

Contact: Georgia Maratheftis, New York, Tel. (917) 699-9935

The Sunday, July 26, 2009 weekend edition of The Washington Times, one of the
most widely circulated political newspapers in America, published Cyprus Action
Network of America (CANA) Executive Director, Georgia Maratheftis’ letter to the
editor “Time for Turkey to talk turkey”, responding to (second secretary of the
unrecognized TRNC) Buket Kop’s letter “Settling Cyprus”. Maratheftis’ published
letter to the editor highlights the Pontian Greek Genocide and the Genocide in
Cyprus, and will be read by thousands of Americans from political commentators
to Washington insiders, think-tanks, foreign embassy workers and opinion makers.
This is the caliber of smart activism that proves how pivotal CANA is for public
relations of the Cyprus Cause to Americans.

The text of the letter appears below, followed by The Washington Times letter to
which the letter responds. To see the Letter to the Editor online, visit
(www.washingtontimes.com) and click on the 'Letters to the Editor' section, or
try this link:

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jul/26/time-for-turkey-to-talk-turkey/

LETTER TO EDITOR: Time for Turkey to talk turkey

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Letters to the Editor
The Washington Times
3600 New York Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20002

To the Editor:

Buket Kop's Monday letter, "Settling Cyprus," neglects to mention the major
setback to any real hope of a settlement or solution to the division of the
island of Cyprus -- the bullying presence of many thousands of Turkish soldiers,
the most blaring reminder of Turkey's military legacy on the island.

The Turkish military invasion of Cyprus, launched on the orders of the Bulent
Ecevit government of Turkey on July 20, 1974, was an attack by land, sea and air
on a relatively small, defenseless island. Those forces, which under the
rejected Annan Plan would have been allowed to sit on the island, forced
hundreds of thousands of people out of their homes, towns and villages and
killed thousands of Cypriots -- acts that could be considered ethnic cleansing
or even genocide.

On July 10, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan reacted to the killing
of 150 ethnic Turks, the Uighurs, in China by calling it an act of genocide.
"These incidents in China are as if they are genocide," he said. "We ask the
Chinese government not to remain a spectator to these incidents. There is
clearly a savagery here."

Turkish military forces killed more than 150 people in Cyprus, even by official
Turkish statistics. "Instead of pointing the finger at others," to borrow Mr.
Kop's phrase, Turkish officials should take the time to look in the mirror and
ask themselves: With the legacy of the Pontian Greek genocide and the genocide
in Cyprus, why would the victims of such savagery want to live under Turkish
military rule?


GEORGIA MARATHEFTIS
Executive director
Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA)
New York
----------------------------------


Washington Times
Letter to editor published July 20, 2009
Settling Cyprus
July 20, 2009

The article "Cyprus envoy blames division on Turkey" (World, Friday) repeats the
same rhetoric we often hear from the Greek Cypriot side regarding the Cyprus
issue.

If the Greek Cypriots had accepted the U.N.-sponsored settlement plan in April
2004 instead of rejecting it by a staggering 76 percent of the vote, the island
would be united today. Soon after the Greek Cypriot rejection, the U.N.
secretary-general himself described it as a "major setback." He went on to say,
"What was rejected was the solution itself rather than a mere blueprint." He
also asked the Greek Cypriots to reflect on a "bi-communal, bi-zonal federation
which means not just two constituent states, but also political equality and the
sharing of power." He finally called upon them to demonstrate "not just by word,
but by action" if they were ready to share power with the Turkish Cypriots in a
federal structure.

Even Nikos Rolandis, a former Greek Cypriot foreign minister, lists 15 occasions
when the Greek Cypriot side rejected proposals for a settlement.

Instead of pointing the finger at others, the Greek Cypriot side should display
the sincerity and determination that is truly needed to achieve a comprehensive
and fair Cyprus settlement.

BUKET KOP
Second secretary
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Washington Office
Washington
####

========================
Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA)
2578 Broadway #132
New York, NY 10025
New York: Tel. 917-699-9935
Email: cana@cyprusactionnetwork.org
www.cyprusactionnetwork.org
========================

The Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA) is a grass-roots, not-for-profit
movement created to support genuine self-determination and human rights for the
people of Cyprus.

To be added to CANA's Action Alert e-mail distribution list, or to introduce
CANA to a friend or colleague, please forward the pertinent name and e-mail
address, with the subject heading "Add e-mail to CANA distribution list", to
cana@cyprusactionnetwork.org

You are encouraged to forward this action alert to five or more individuals who
may have an interest in our e-distributions or in CANA’s mission.

You may post any CANA article, press release or action alert on the internet as
long as you credit CANA and the author(s).

WHY WE FIGHT:Pics and Videos of Cypriot Vigils and Demonstrations in Washington DC and Nicosia

For Immediate Release: July 23, 2009

Contact: Nikolaos Taneris, New York, Tel. (917) 699-9935

NEW YORK--The Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA) is pleased that the fervor
for justice is growing stronger with each passing year, as much as the Greek and
Cypriot establishment and lobby groups with their political ineptitude and
personal agendas would like to bury this issue of memorialising 20th of July
with muddled messages and talks (to the tune of bouzoukia and baglamades) on
so-called "solutions" that involve so-called "federations" with the very
criminals who perpetrated a HOLOCAUST on Greek-Cypriots,we say NEVER AGAIN. We
will not be silent , and we are not going away.

Photos taken during our 18 hr Cyprus Vigil outside the Turkish Ambassador's
residence in Washington DC at Sheridan Circle/Park on July 19-July20 ,2009 are
available for download at the 'Pictures' page on our website:

http://www.cyprusactionnetwork.org/pictures

The CANAgrassroots Youtube channel is posting Videos on the Cyprus Vigil 2009,
please view and distribute:

Youtube: Cypriots Face Turkish Barbarism in Washington DC (part 1) Vigil Set Up
at 7PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IbeUWLQh4s

Youtube: Cypriots Face Turkish Barbarism in Washington DC (part 2) Nightfall at
Vigil
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxUU231gK3g

Also check out the Turkish Lobby setting up the counter-demonstration at 9AM
outside their own Turkish Embassy in Washington DC on July 20, 2009 (notice the
many flags of the illegal pseudo state and the red and yellow flags of the
Pseudo-Macedonians)

Youtube:35-year Commemoration of Turkish Invasion of Cyprus Counter-"Protest" 1
of 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0sR8ZNqBSk

Youtube:35-year Commemoration of Turkish Invasion of Cyprus Counter-"Protest" 2
of 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxUU231gK3g

Our Vigil in Washington DC was complimented by what was accomplished by our
brothers and sisters in Nicosia in the sacred homeland who marched on to mark
the 20th of July , this is the hope of the new generation , and all the ones
after that will
NEVER FORGIVE, NEVER FORGET.

Please view the videos and pics below and post them to your sites, blogs,
facebook pages, twitter them and pass them on to your friends. Thousands poured
into the streets on the 20th of July in Nicosia , a sea of youth, that fights
on. The Slogans this year included "TURKI MOGGOLI DOLOFONI,-- TURKS MONGOLS
MURDERERS" and "KATO TA HERIA OMOSAPINDIAKI , I KYPROS EINAI ELLINIKI--HANDS
OFF CYPRUS FEDERATIONISTS! CYPRUS IS HELLENIC!" and "STI KYRENIA TA SINORA MAS
EINAI--OUR BORDERS ARE AT KYRENIA"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ht7D3NHuHrY

This video captures the march to the Ledra roadblock , they are singing a
patriotic song about the liberation of our Hellenic land,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Cc976NNXXI

They are singing "SA AGAPO PATRIDA ELLINIKI YIA SENA THA PETHANO STO TAFO MOU
THA VALO SIMAI ELLINIKI--I LOVE YOU HELLENIC HOMELAND FOR YOU I WILL DIE AND I
WILL DRAPE A HELLENIC FLAG OVER MY TOMB"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnWcKPm9RI8

"I KYPROS EINAI ELLINIKI KAI I MAKEDONIA--CYPRUS IS HELLENIC! MACEDONIA IS
HELLENIC!", as they approach Ledra Palace,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ajL8e7vbKo

THIS VIDEO DOCUMENTS TURKISH BARBARIANS THROWING STONES AT OUR BROTHERS AND
SISTERS FROM THE TOP OF THE DIVIDING WALL THIS 20th of JULY:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKk-k1kNet8


The Cypriot Student organization “METOPO” organized an excellent and at the same
time very creative anti-occupational event on Sunday the 19th of July. Metopo
are the only independent non-partisan Cypriot student movement in the UK and in
the last student elections received 13% of the votes. They reject a solution
based on a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation. (www.metopo.org.uk) They chartered
a catamaran and sailed through the busy beaches of Lemesos with a huge banner
which said ‘ΔΕΝ ΞΕΧΝΩ το ΔΕΝ ΞΕΧΝΩ’. (Do not forget the famous slogan of WE DO
NOT FORGET WHAT HAPPENED IN CYPRUS)
It was in the main news bulletins of all Cyprus TV networks except of course RIK
(CYBC) the channel the government controls. Shame on RIK !

http://freedom4cyprus.blogspot.com/2009/07/freedom-boat.html

The Bloody Map of Cyprus with the slogan ΔΕΝ ΞΕΧΝΩ’ (I Don't Forget), is being
"disappeared" under the Christofias Communist Regime (the request to have the
Bloody Map of Cyprus disappear was originally made by the Turks), this issue was
brought up by London-based journalist Fanoulla Argyrou when it was discovered
that the Cypriot Federation in the UK removed the Bloody Map of Cyprus from
their website, see the article here:

http://web.mac.com/tanea_london/TANEAonLINE/Salt-Pepper2.html

Coincidentially, the Cyprus Federation of America also does not have the Bloody
Map of Cyprus on its website, and instead shows a Cyprus without any lines
through it, which seems to be the map the Turks insist on getting up(!)

On a sad note, several arrests were made in Cyprus, some reports say six people
were arrested at the 20th of July demonstrations in Cyprus for openly speaking
their mind about Communist Christofias and shouting out that he's a traitor,
luckily this story was picked up by the foreign press, Agence France Press
reported that four people , other sources say six were arrested,in what seems to
be a crackdown on dissent and a violation of free expression in Cyprus:

http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=304468&version=1&template_id=39&parent_id=21

Please visit the Freedom for Cyprus blog (http://www.freedom4cyprus.blogspot.com/)
and download pics and video of the demonstrations to send to friends and to post
on the net. The 20th of July is not forgotten, they just want us to forget it,
by posting a pic or video, or writing about these events or even sending out
their commentary you will help to contribute and help stop those who are trying
to hide the truth , and those that want to shut us up.
Thank you.

####

========================
Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA)
2578 Broadway #132
New York, NY 10025
New York: Tel. 917-699-9935
Email: cana@cyprusactionnetwork.org
www.cyprusactionnetwork.org
========================

The Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA) is a grass-roots, not-for-profit
movement created to support genuine self-determination and human rights for the
people of Cyprus.

To be added to CANA's Action Alert e-mail distribution list, or to introduce
CANA to a friend or colleague, please forward the pertinent name and e-mail
address, with the subject heading "Add e-mail to CANA distribution list", to
cana@cyprusactionnetwork.org

You are encouraged to forward this action alert to five or more individuals who
may have an interest in our e-distributions or in CANA’s mission.

You may post any CANA article, press release or action alert on the internet as
long as you credit CANA and the author(s).

Cypriots Face Turkish Barbarism in Nicosia and Washington DC

For Immediate Release: July 21, 2009

Contact: Nikolaos Taneris, New York, Tel. (917) 699-9935.

The following is a report on yesterday ' s 18 hour vigil and demonstration in
Washington, DC to mourn the Missing Cypriots and mark the 35th anniversary of
the Turkish-military invasion and continuing occupation of Cyprus. The
report speaks volumes for how much the Turks fear the simple message of
freedom for Cyprus and the potential strength of our victimized people. This is
the third year in a row that we have come to DC armed only with cardboard signs,
a few Hellenic National flags and a passionate fervor to commemorate the
injustice befallen the People of the Republic of Cyprus. It drove the entire
Turkish lobby (the apparatus of the Turkish State’s barbarism) into a frenzy of
reactionary activity and fury..

REPORT FROM THE CANA 4 WHO FACED TURKISH BARBARISM IN WASHINGTON DC

Community activists are drawn to work for a cause for a host of reasons. On
Sunday, July 19, 2009, at 7 pm a core group of CANA activists gathered outside
the Turkish ambassador’s residence in Sheridan Park, Washington DC. We all
traveled long journeys’ to this destination. Ioannis remembered the suffering
of an eighteen year old cousin who endured an agonizing death as a result of
Turkey’s napalm bombing of Massoura village in 1974. Georgia was there for a
grandmother, Gregoria Georgiou, killed execution style by the invading Turkish
military on August 31, 1974 in Aheritou, Cyprus. Theo looked to the vigil and
demonstration to gain insight as to whether his faith could truly allow him to
‘forgive but never forget’ Turkish aggression and lead him closer to a decision
on whether to join the priesthood of the Greek Orthodox Church. Foti came
because he is drawn to the Hellenic culture and the bloody history of Turkish
barbarism to the Armenian, Assyrian, Greek and Chinese communities. This group
was aided intermittently by local DC activists but they largely stood alone
against the Turkish embassy and diplomatic community for the entire vigil and
demonstration.

The CANA activists set up a candle lit memorial to the victims of the illegal
Turkish invasion and occupation of Cyprus. Candles were lit to memorialize the
missing and the murdered Cypriots, for time lost to the political ineptitude and
personal agendas of the Greek and Cypriot establishment and lobby groups, for
unfulfilled dreams and stolen land torn from the grasp of Greek Cypriots by the
British and American geopolitical elite.

CANA activists used a banner, placards, the Cypriot, Greek and Byzantine flags
to greet DC commuters driving past the Turkish ambassador’s residence on Monday
morning.. They wanted it known that July 20, 2009, marked the 35th anniversary
of the illegal Turkish invasion and occupation of Cyprus.. The only acceptable
goal was for ‘Turkey to Get Out of Cyprus.’

CANA activists then moved on to the Turkish embassy where they were greeted by a
counter demonstration led by Gunay Evinch, the lead counsel of the Turkish
Embassy. Our four stood against their thirty. Some ninety minutes into the
demonstration the Secret Service were called in by the Turkish lobby to protect
them against the four – a sixty-two year old man, a future seminary student, a
Chinese man and a woman. The event concluded when the CANA activists disbanded
at noon.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
To read a Southern Italian perspective on the 18-hour vigil and demonstration by
CANA, please visit this link to the Magna GRECE Online Journal titled, Remember
Cyprus! :
http://magnagrece.blogspot.com/2009/07/remember-cyprus.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Also you can open www.freedom4cyprus.blogspot.com (newly created) and watch the
demonstration yesterday in Nicosia against the continued Turkish occupation in
Cyprus . See for yourselves and listen to the voice of the people, the young,
the very voice they want to shut up, and they do not want to show to the outside
world.
Thank you.
####

========================
Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA)
2578 Broadway #132
New York, NY 10025
New York: Tel. 917-699-9935
Email: cana@cyprusactionnetwork.org
www.cyprusactionnetwork.org
========================

The Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA) is a grass-roots, not-for-profit
movement created to support genuine self-determination and human rights for the
people of Cyprus.

To be added to CANA's Action Alert e-mail distribution list, or to introduce
CANA to a friend or colleague, please forward the pertinent name and e-mail
address, with the subject heading "Add e-mail to CANA distribution list", to
cana@cyprusactionnetwork.org

You are encouraged to forward this action alert to five or more individuals who
may have an interest in our e-distributions or in CANA’s mission.

You may post any CANA article, press release or action alert on the internet as
long as you credit CANA and the author(s).

Alexander the Great: King of Kings

Today, we remember the birth of our Great King, Alexander the Great, a legend that lives on 2,365 years later. Alexander was born on July 20th 356 B.C. in Pella, the capital of the ancient Hellenic Kingdom of Macedonia. Under his leadership Hellenism would spread across the know world, enlightening the four corners of the earth with Hellenic civilization. Today, we await his return, so that Hellenism may once again be the guiding light of the universe. Long live the King of Kings! Alexander!

35th years of Rape, Murder, and Genocide

Today, we remember all those innocent indigenous Hellenes of Cyprus who perished or went missing 35 years ago. The illegal Turkish military invasion and continued occupation of the homeland of the Lady of Cyprus, Aphrodite, must end!

We Will Never Forget!

We Will Never Forgive!

Justice for Cyprus!

35TH YEAR OF THE INVASION AND OCCUPATION OF CYPRUS

Recently the London-based Hellenic Newspaper Ta Nea, published a letter written by Georgia Maratheftis of Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA)entitled When an all night vigil becomes a cultural event..., in response to PSEKA's own Philip Christopher and the planned events of the official Cypriot lobby for the 35th Anniversary of the Illegal Invasion and Military Occupation of Cyprus.

I would like to thank both Georgia Maratheftis, CANA, and the newspaper Ta Nea for bringing this to light. This mismanaged and inappropriate handling of Hellenic issues only strengthens the belief that the Cypriot-American lobby is useless and ill-equipped to handle the task at hand. 'Justice for Cyprus'

1974 Illegal Invasion of Cyprus


1974 Illegal Invasion of Cyprus -- Part 2

Hellenic Patriotic News on 20th of July Demonstrations

For Immediate Release: July 16, 2009

On the 20th of July demonstrations will be held around the world against the
continuing illegal Turkish military-occupation of Hellenic land. In Cyprus the
student organizations of EFAEFP and EFEN have taken the lead and are organizing
this year’s demonstration. There will be a rally on the 20th of July at 6:30 pm
from Platia Eleftherias Square leading to the Ledra roadblock in Nicosia. In
London the Cypriot community will be holding their annual protest in front of
the Turkish Embassy (43 Belgrave Square, London SWIX 8PA) on July 19th from
2:45pm with a march through Central London and a Rally at 4.30pm (to be attended
by senior Cypriot officials) in Trafalgar Square:

http://www.cypriotfederation.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=234:picketing-outside-the-turkish-embassy-central-london-march-and-rally-in-trafalgar-square-19-july-2009&catid=59:events&Itemid=77

And in Washington DC, The Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA) will be having
an 'All night vigil in Washington D.C. to mourn the missing and murdered
Cypriots of the barbaric Turkish invasion of July 20, 1974’,in Sheridan Circle
facing the bedroom window of the Turkish Ambassador on the eve of July 20th,
2009:

http://cyprusactionnetwork.org/cyprus_vigil_2009

Please send us news on all the demonstrations which are going on around the
world so we can post them.

We refuse to forget the Turkish Crimes committed by Turkish invasion on 20th
July 1974. Our sacred Hellenic land has been under barbaric Turkish occupation
for too long. Every patriotic Hellene who cannot forget and will not forget
Turkey’s Crimes against Hellenic people should participate.

In the words of Cypriot student activist Paris Stylianides:” We have reached
melting point. Hellenism is striving to survive on this island…”
And in further Hellenic Patriotic News, here follows four (4) important news and
research articles on the Cyprus Cause:

(1) Our friends in Cyprus have a new site that has just opened on 15th July
solely for English texts. It is run by patriotic young people. Please bookmark
them, their blog offers truth on the latest developments concerning Cyprus! PART
OF THE 'FREEDOM FOR CYPRUS NETWORK’, please link to it on your blogs, sites, and
message boards:
http://www.freedom4cyprus.blogspot.com/

(2) An important Memorial tribute to a fighter for EOKA 1955-59 who paid a heavy
price not for what he was doing but because of the subservient attitude of
certain GREEK and GREEKCYPRIOT elements within the London Community…that has
already been published in TA NEA of London.
http://web.me.com/tanea_london/greeknews-tanea.com/Παροικιακά-4.html

The article is available also for download in the attachments, along with
(3) An invitation to an upcoming event in Cyprus sent to us by the patriotic
“Movement for FREEDOM AND RULE OF LAW IN CYPRUS” to mark July 20th that will
include speeches by Neoclis Sarris on the long legacy of Turkish inhuman
barbarism.

Finally we also offer first hand research by London-based Greek-Cypriot
journalist Fanoulla Argyrou on interesting historical findings in the British
archives, below and in the attachments:

(4) CYPRUS IS GREEK FOR 3,000 YEARS SAYS BRITISH MINISTRY OF DEFENCE!
AN ANSWER TO ALL THOSE WITH CRIMINAL INTENT TO FALSIFY HISTORY AND TURKIFY
CYPRUS.
Finally we also offer first hand research by London-based Greek-Cypriot
journalist on interesting historical findings in the British archives, below and
in the attachments:

Η ΚΥΠΡΟΣ ΕΙΝΑΙ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΚΑΙ ΟΧΙ ΤΟΥΡΚΙΚΗ ΓΙΑ ΣΥΝΕΤΑΙΡΙΣΜΟ ΜΕ ΤΟ 18%

Νομίζω η πιο κάτω ξεκάθαρη ιστορική επιβεβαίωση της Ελληνικότητας της Κύπρου
μας, που βρήκα στην ιστοσελίδα του Βρετ. Υπ. ΄Αμυνας και που κυκλοφόρησα το 2006
(και την είχε αναρτήσει και ο κ.Χάρης Κυριακίδης στην αξιόλογη ιστοσελίδα του
κρίμα που έμεινε στάσιμη), θα πρέπει να προβάλλεται παντού και πάντοτε. Ως ένα
μπούμεραγκ στην διαστρεύλωση που επιχειρούν οι ίδιοι οι Βρετανοί, οι υποτελείς
τους δικοί μας, οι ανεγκέφαλοι και ανιστόρητοι δικοί μας και ξένοι και κυρίως οι
υπεύθυνοι της Παιδείας και εκείνοι οι λεγόμενοι εκπαιδευτικοί που εργολαβικά
δουλεύουν για την πλαστογράφηση της Ιστορίας μας. Και βέβαια οι συγγραφείς του
τερατουργήματος Ανάν/Χάνει μεταξύ των οποίων και δικοί μας, αλλά, και ο
σημερινός πρόεδρος Δημήτρης Χριστόφιας μαζί με τις επιτροπές του που
διαπραγματεύονται δίχως όρους εντολής την διάλυση της Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας και
τον συνεταιρισμό με το 18% των Τουρκοκυπρίων για εξυπηρέτηση των τουρκικών
συμφερόντων.

Φανούλα Αργυρού
Λονδίνο 13.7.2009

British Ministry of Defence website

Cyprus History

Few countries can trace the course of their history over 10,000 years, but in
approximately 8,000 BC the island of Cyprus was already inhabited and going
through its Neolithic Age. Of all the momentous events that were to sweep the
country through the next few thousand years, one of the most crucial was the
discovery of copper - or Kuprum in Latin - the mineral which took its name from
“Kypros”, the Greek name of Cyprus, and generated untold wealth.
The island’s strategic position, its copper deposits and its timber attracted
the first Greeks who came to the island over 3,000 years ago at the end of the
Trojan wars. They settled down, bringing in with them and establishing the
Greek identity.

Over the centuries Cyprus came under the sway of various rulers including the
Egyptians. Assyrians, Persians, the successors to Alexander the Great and the
Romans, before Cyprus became part of the Byzantine Empire. Later came the
Crusaders, the Frankish Lusignans and Venetians, Ottomans and British.
Cyprus gained its independence in 1960, for the first time in 3,500 years, but
the Greek identity of language and culture has been retained.

Η πλέον κλασική αντίφαση στα χρονικά της αγγλικής πολιτικής.
Παρόλη την φιλοτουρκική και λυσσαλέα ανθελληνική πολιτική του Βρετ. Υπουργείου
Εξωτερικών και Κοινοπολιτείας, στην ιστοσελίδα του Βρετ. Υπουργείου Άμυνας
(2006) υπογραμμίζεται, με τον πλέον ξεκάθαρο τρόπο η Ελληνικότητα της νήσου
Κύπρος.

Η ΚΥΠΡΟΣ ΕΙΝΑΙ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ (ΥΠΟΥΡΓΕΙΟ ΑΜ. ΑΓΓΛΙΑΣ)

ΑΠΑΝΤΗΣΗ ΣΤΟΥΣ ΕΡΑΣΤΕΣ ΤΗΣ ΑΠΟΕΛΛΗΝΟΠΟΙΗΣΗΣ ΤΗΣ ΚΥΠΡΟΥ
ΑΠΟ ΤΟΝ ΙΣΤΟΧΩΡΟ ΤΟΥ ΒΡΕΤΑΝΙΚΟΥ ΥΠΟΥΡΓΕΙΟΥ ΑΜΥΝΑΣ

Cyprus History

Few countries can trace the course of their history over 10,000 years, but in
approximately 8,000 BC the island of Cyprus was already inhabited and going
through its Neolithic Age. Of all the momentous events that were to sweep the
country through the next few thousand years, one of the most crucial was the
discovery of copper - or Kuprum in Latin - the mineral which took its name from
“Kypros”, the Greek name of Cyprus, and generated untold wealth.

The island’s strategic position, its copper deposits and its timber attracted
the first Greeks who came to the island over 3,000 years ago at the end of the
Trojan wars. They settled down, bringing in with them and establishing the
Greek identity.

Over the centuries Cyprus came under the sway of various rulers including the
Egyptians. Assyrians, Persians, the successors to Alexander the Great and the
Romans, before Cyprus became part of the Byzantine Empire. Later came the
Crusaders, the Frankish Lusignans and Venetians, Ottomans and British.

Cyprus gained its independence in 1960, for the first time in 3,500 years, but
the Greek identity of language and culture has been retained.
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceFor/ServiceCommunity/ACyprusPosting/Background/
......................................................................................................
Ιστορία της Κύπρου
Λίγες χώρες έχουν ιστορία πάνω από 10,000 χρόνια, όμως σχεδόν 8,000 χρόνια προ
Χριστού η νήσος Κύπρος ήταν ήδη κατοικημένη και διένυε την Νεολιθική εποχή της.
Μία από τις πλέον σημαντικές ανασκαφές που έγιναν στην χώρα αυτή μέσα από τις
επόμενες χιλιάδες χρόνια, ήταν η ανακάλυψη του χαλκού, copper, ή Kuprum στα
Λατινικά, από το οποίο και πήρε το όνομα Κύπρος, η ελληνική ονομασία της Κύπρου.

Η στρατηγική θέση της νήσου, τα αποθέματα χαλκού και η ξυλεία της ήσαν εκείνα
που έφεραν τους πρώτους Έλληνες στο νησί πριν 3,000 και τόσα χρόνια προς το
τέλος των Τρωικών πολέμων. Εγκαταστάθηκαν στο νησί, φέρνοντας μαζί τους και
δημιουργώντας την Ελληνική ταυτότητα.

Δια μέσου των αιώνων η Κύπρος πέρασε από πολλούς δυνάστες, περιλαμβανομένων των
Αιγυπτίων, Ασσύριων, Περσών, που αντικατέστησαν τον Μέγα Αλέξανδρο και τους
Ρωμαίους, προτού η Κύπρος γίνει μέρος της Βυζαντινής αυτοκρατορίας. Αργότερα
ήλθαν οι σταυροφόροι, οι Φράγκοι, Λουσινιανοί και Ενετοί, οι Οθωμανοί και οι
Βρετανοί.

Η Κύπρος κέρδισε την ανεξαρτησία της το 1960, για πρώτη φορά μετά από 3,500
χρόνια, όμως η ελληνική ταυτότητα της γλώσσας και πολιτισμού έχει διατηρηθεί.

(Μετάφραση Φανούλα Αργυρού)

####

========================
Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA)
2578 Broadway #132
New York, NY 10025
New York: Tel. 917-699-9935
Email: cana@cyprusactionnetwork.org
www.cyprusactionnetwork.org
========================

The Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA) is a grass-roots, not-for-profit
movement created to support genuine self-determination and human rights for the
people of Cyprus.

To be added to CANA's Action Alert e-mail distribution list, or to introduce
CANA to a friend or colleague, please forward the pertinent name and e-mail
address, with the subject heading "Add e-mail to CANA distribution list", to
cana@cyprusactionnetwork.org

You are encouraged to forward this action alert to five or more individuals who
may have an interest in our e-distributions or in CANA’s mission.

You may post any CANA article, press release or action alert on the internet as
long as you credit CANA and the author(s).

ACTION ALERT! TURKISH ACTIVISM AGAINST CYPRIOTS IN WASHINGTON DC

For Immediate Release: July 14, 2009

The Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA) has just been informed that the
Turkish Lobby, Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA), is "CALLING ALL
TURKS" to an all night "VIGIL" in front of the Turkish Embassy in Washington DC
for this July 20th 2009, the anniversary date of the illegal Turkish invasion of
Cyprus.

The Press Release from the Turkish Lobby, laced with false historical
revisionism and anti-Cypriot Hate, has been posted on the Genocide-denial
website, Turkish Forum, and in "CALLING ALL TURKS" the press release claims that
"A look at the history of Cyprus, shows that it was never a Greek island":

http://www.turkishforum.com.tr/en/content/2009/07/14/cyprus-trnc-a-vigil-for-freedom/


We managed to obtain the flyer that is now being distributed to Turks in the
DC-area, to see the Turkish Lobby flyer for July 20th , please view the attached
in word file.

####

========================
Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA)
2578 Broadway #132
New York, NY 10025
New York: Tel. 917-699-9935
Email: cana@cyprusactionnetwork.org
www.cyprusactionnetwork.org
========================

The Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA) is a grass-roots, not-for-profit
movement created to support genuine self-determination and human rights for the
people of Cyprus.

To be added to CANA's Action Alert e-mail distribution list, or to introduce
CANA to a friend or colleague, please forward the pertinent name and e-mail
address, with the subject heading "Add e-mail to CANA distribution list", to
cana@cyprusactionnetwork.org

You are encouraged to forward this action alert to five or more individuals who
may have an interest in our e-distributions or in CANA’s mission.

You may post any CANA article, press release or action alert on the internet as
long as you credit CANA and the author(s).

HELLENES WRITE TO AHI : “GEOGRAPHICAL QUALIFIER” FOR MACEDONIA?

HELLENES WRITE TO AHI : “GEOGRAPHICAL QUALIFIER” FOR MACEDONIA?

For Immediate Release: July 11, 2009

NEW YORK—The Hellenic League of America (HLA) alerts the community about support for the false historical revisionist “geographical qualifier” for Macedonia. Several statements by the American Hellenic Institute AHI –one of the oldest establishment institutions purporting to support Hellenism in America - indicate AHI support for legislation supporting the “geographical qualifier” for Macedonia in Congress. This expresses a split between historical truth and community opinion and the false historical revisionism supported by the Greek political establishment or Greek ruling class in Greece, and its lobbies or allies in Washington DC.

The “geographical qualifier” was originally dreamed up by the US State Department and was supported by Ms. Dora Bakoyiannis, scion of the Mistotakis family, a leading Greek political caste in the establishment , and head of the Greek foreign ministry.

The “geographical qualifier” attempts to bestow the name “Upper Macedonia” or “Northern Macedonia” on the former Yugoslav state buttressing Greece with its capital as Skopje.

The American Hellenic Institute AHI webpage, showing links supporting “geographical qualifier” legislation in Congress , can be found on the AHI website here:

http://capwiz.com/ahiworld/issues/bills/

The American Hellenic Institute AHI also seems to support the “geographical qualifier” , in its 2009 Policy Statement, available here:

http://ahiworld.org/pdfs/Policy_Statements/2009_policy_statements.pdf

Several community activists have written to AHI’s new President , Alexandros (Aleco) Haralambides, about the “geographical qualifier” and other issues of community concern, thus far there has been no reply from AHI, not a statement from AHI that they are unequivocally AGAINST the “geographical qualifier”

Some examples of community letters to AHI President Alexandros (Aleco) Haralambides,in Hellenic and English, follow below:

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Γράφει η Σεβαστή Μπούρα- Μπούτου

Η βαθειά κρίση τής Ομογένειας και οι επιλογές ανθρώπων που υπηρετούν αυτούς τούς θεσμούς.

Τελευταία έπεσε στα χέρια μου μια χαρτολαδόκολα που το A.H.I American Hellenic Institute περιέφερε σε κάποιες Πολιτείες, ζητώντας όσο πιο πολλούς πελάτες, πιο ευγενικά συνυπογρά φοντε,ς για να δοθεί η τελευταία χαριστική βολή στο Μακεδονικό, με τον λεγόμενο γεωγραφικό προσδιορισμό τού ονόματος τού ψευδοκράτους.

Για να κάνω το σχόλιο πιο κατανοητό, η νέα διοίκηση τού παραπάνω Οργανισμού, που μας είχε αφήσει κάποιες καλές αναμνήσεις με την στάση τού Ρωσίδη, έχει αλλάξει την πολιτική της τόσο παράξενα που αναρωτιόμαστε, κάποιοι από εμάς, τι ρόλο παίζει και θα παίξει το λεγόμενο A.H.I από εδώ και εμπρός στην υπεράσπιση τών Εθνικών μας θεμάτων και ιδιαίτερα τού όλο και πιο περιπλεκόμενου προβλήματος από το Σκοπιανό στο Μακεδονικό.

Η γράφουσα έχει υποψιαστεί από καιρό, ότι οι ισχυροί της Ομογένειας έχοντας τη δύναμη ενός οργανισμού, εκλεγμένοι άλλοτε με δημοκρατικούς και άλλοτε με διεφθαρμένους τρόπους, αλωνίζουν , στο αλώνι αυτής τής Ομογένειας, όλο και πιο πολύ τήν δική τους σοδειά, από το δικό τους κτηματάκι, κάνοντας και στο τέλος επίδειξη δύναμης για την άπιαστη ικανότητά τους, να κάνουν το δικό τους και μόνο το δικό τους πανίσχυρο Εγώ έρμαιο η τών προσωπικών φιλοδοξιών η φερέφωνο τών συμφερόντων κάποιων που παίζουν τη ζωή τών ανθρώπων στα χέρια τους με την πολιτική τους δύναμη. Μετά, με μια περατζάδα, ας πούμε στην Αστόρια η σε κάποια αίθουσα κάποιου μεγάλου πανεπιστημίου η πρώην χαρτοπαιγνίου, ακόμη και με την παρουσία τους στον Ελληνικό χώρο, προσκεκλημένοι από τούς ομοϊδεάτες τους σε χώρους καλά επιλεγμένους, παρουσιάζονται σαν οι μόνοι σωτήρες τού χώρου τών αθώων Ελλήνων τής διασποράς. Κάποιοι από αυτούς έχουν αποδειχθεί και τζίνια στην συγκέντρωση χρημάτων.

Σε θεσμικό επίπεδο η Ομογένεια έχει αποκτήσει οδηγούς και συνοδηγούς τα τελευταία χρόνια που δεν προσθέτουν τίποτε νέο και επικοδομητικό στο οδοιπορικό της. Απεναντίας, επιβεβαιώνεται όλο και πιο συχνά ότι οι περισσότεροι από αυτούς τούς υποτυπώδεις ηγέτες, ενώ μπορεί να ξεκίνησαν με όνειρα και ιδέες, δεν κατάφεραν να ξεπεράσουν πρώτα τα προσωπικά τους φιλόδοξα σχέδια, πριν αποφασίσουν να ασχοληθούν με τα αιτήματα τής Ομογένειας. Μέσα σε όλα αυτά έχει προστεθεί και η κομματική τους προτίμηση, γιατί η πολιτική πια δεν είναι πολιτική ιδεών, αφού ο ιδεατός κόσμος της πολιτικής περνάει κι αυτός κρίση με την ανάμειξη των απόψεων και την ανάμειξη τών πολιτικών από τον ένα κομματικό σχηματισμό στον άλλον.

Ύστερα από όλα αυτά που συμβαίνουν στην Ομογένεια τής Νέας Υόρκης, Ουάσινγτον και περιχώρων, αναρωτιέται κανείς πώς θα είναι διαμορφωμένη η μοίρα μας σε λίγα χρόνια- χρυσωμένη στη ράχη μας η ριγμένη στην θάλασσα με τέτοιους ηγέτες;.

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Dear Aleco Haralambides, President of AHI (American Hellenic Institute)

I would first like to congratulate you on your recent appointment as President of our community’s leading public policy organization. As a grassroots Hellenic Activist whose mother is not Greek I was particularly proud to see a fellow Half-Greek rise to such a prestigious position. Your appointment brings hope to those of us in our community who are not fully Greek or may not speak the Greek language, that we will be accepted by the Greek establishment. I wish you nothing but the best in your future efforts to maintain AHI’s credibility and aggressive pursued of our issues. AHI is an organization of great potential and I salute such efforts as your Future of Hellenism in America conferences.

In your recent interview with Greek News you mentioned that you ‘intend to reach out on a one-on-one basis to the leaders of the different Greek American organizations’. As President of Panthracian Union of America “Orpheus” and a leading member of the Hellenic League of America (HLA) I agree with you that our community can not afford to continue being divided if we are to effectively lobby our issues in Washington. Therefore in the name of Hellenic brotherhood I would like to extend my hand to you and offer my services in working towards unity between our community’s organizations on our National Issues.

In the same interview you also stated that our issues are based on historical facts and the rule of law, something I could not agree with you more on. I wonder will AHI take an aggressive grassroots approach under your leadership in confronting the violations of the rule of law and informing the American public and Congress about our National Issues? Will we see an AHI coming out for the annual demonstration outside the Turkish Embassy organized by Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA)? Will AHI start standing side by side grassroots activists who are pushing our issues in the very spirit of grassroots activism which you claim to support?

On the issue of Macedonia, you were quoted in your interview as stating that you were ‘optimistic that we can have some success with the Obama administration’, however I’m curious what kind of success AHI will gain for Hellenism by promoting a geographical qualifier as the answer to our on going conflict with Skopje. It is obvious that the use of a name like ‘Upper Macedonia’ or ‘Northern Macedonia’ will not stop Skopje’s revisionist policies towards Alexander the Great and Ancient Greek history, as these people will still continue to identify themselves as ‘Macedonians’. AHI’s current support of such a solution is not in line with your stance of historical truth; does this mean we will see a change in AHI’s position under your leadership? Will AHI begin supporting a solution that will take historical fact and our ethnic identity’s survival in mind?

If you are aware of whom I am, then I’m sure you are also aware of my personal commitment to the issue of our Genocide. As a descendant of survivors of our Genocide will you be taking a more aggressive and active stance on international recognition of the Hellenic Genocide? Will AHI work on uniting our community to abandon our current course of disunity when it comes to recognition? Will AHI push for a united effort between Thracian, Asia Minor and Pontian communities to adopt an official united name and figure for all those Ottoman Hellenes that perished under the state sponsored systematic policy of Genocide that was committed by Ottoman Empire and Republic of Turkey?

I am very curious to see what AHI will be doing under your leadership and hope that your Presidency will mark a rival of patriotic activism in the name of Hellenism. Please feel free to contact me if you are sincere in your call for unity and cooperation between Greek-American organizations and activists on our National Issues.

Respectfully,

Ioannis Fidanakis

President of Panthracian Union of America “Orpheus”

Hellenic Activist for the Hellenic League of America (HLA)

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To: aleco@aristoinvestments.com, pr@ahiworld.org

Dear Aleco Haralambides, President of AHI (American Hellenic Institute)

I am writing to you after reading your recent interview in Greek News Greek-American Weekly Newspaper, (Aleco Haralambides: We Can Make a Difference in D.C. - By Vicki James Yiannias in the June 22, 2009 edition of Greek News Greek-American Weekly Newspaper”)

As the newly elected (by the board of AHI) President you now have the responsibility for leading one of the oldest, establishment institutions representing Hellenism in Washington DC and the broader Hellenic Diaspora in America, there are a number of questions and concerns I wish to raise with you, as a grassroots Hellenic activist, here in New York city, in the belly of the beast so to speak.

I am also writing to you this week, because you are at this very moment, privileged with representing the Hellenic National Issues to officials ruling over the Hellenic homelands of Hellas and the Hellenic island of Cyprus.

MACEDONIA NAME ISSUE AND THE GEOGRAPHICAL QUALIFIER

New Democracy and the Hellenic Foreign Ministry led by Ms. Dora Bakoyiannis, and PASOK led by George Papandreou (junior) have bowed to US State Department “pressure” and agree to a “geographical name” or “geographical qualifier” for the Macedonia name issue, meaning the Greek political establishment is now promoting the name “Upper Macedonia” or “Northern Macedonia” for Skopje. This position is NOT one that is held by many if not ALL Macedonians/ patriotic Hellenes or Makedenomachi (Macedonian Freedom Fighters) in Greece, Cyprus and in the Diaspora.

According to a link in the AHI website, your organization supports S..RES. 169 and H.RES. 486 in the current congress, legislations that call for a “geographical qualifier”,

(SEE Link here: http://capwiz.com/ahiworld/issues/bills/)

I am curious, Aleco as to what is your position to this issue, and do you support a “geographical qualifier” like “Northern Macedonia” or “Upper Macedonia” that is odds with historical truth?

HELLENIC GENOCIDE /PONTIAN GENOCIDE REMEMBRANCE AND COMMEMORATION

The Hellenic Genocide was commemorated at the UN in New York on April 6 2009, recognized by the Thracian World Wide Congress as the international Remembrance Day for the Genocide in Thrace perpetrated by Turkey. This was the first time the Hellenic Genocide was commemorated in front of the UN, you can view some of the Press we received for this event here: (http://www.hellenicleagueofamericahla.org/hla_in_the_news) and on the Thracian Genocide website:

(http://www.thraciangenocide.org/). This entire event was organized on the meager budgets of the ALL volunteer and unpaid Grass-roots activists of the Hellenic League of America (HLA) and the small membership of the philanthropic Pan-Thracian Union of America “Orpheus”. Your bio on the AHI site, mentions that besides you being half-Latino or half-Hispanic or Cuban, you are also through your father’s side descended from Greeks from Brussa, one of the many cities and towns Holocausted by the Genocidal Regime in Angora. What commitment will you make with your well-endowed institution next April 6th to mark Hellenic Genocide day in front of the UN?

THE GENOCIDE IN CYPRUS AND THE MISSING CYPRIOTS

The Genocide in Cyprus was launched on July 20, 1974 by Turkey. Cypriots in Athens hold an all night vigil and Cypriots in London protest in front of the Turkish Embassy on July 20th every year. On July 20, 2007 and July 20, 2008 Grass-roots activists organized by Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA) protested the Turkish Embassy in Washington DC to remember the Genocide in Cyprus and the Missing Cypriots, last July 20th 2008 this protest managed to get coverage by CBS, this is exactly the grassroots activism (by dedicated unpaid volunteers) that makes a difference in Washington DC

(See Link: http://www.cyprusactionnetwork.org/cypriots_protest_at_the_turkish_embassy_washington_dc_to_mark_34th_anniversary_of_turkish_invasion )

Will you stand with us at our Cyprus Vigil 2009?

See Link for Flyer with details:

http://cyprusactionnetwork.org/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/CyprusVigil_2009.160204642.pdf

THE PATRIARCHATE AND HELLENISM: AMERICAN ASSIMILATION THE WHITE GENOCIDE

White Genocide is the term Scholars and scholars use to describe assimilation of the Hellenes in America, some Hellenes also call this the “white massacre” The great waves of Hellenes who came to America from the 1890s to 1924, have, for better or worse, assimilated into white American culture, much like the larger German and Italian communities that used to exist in America. With no ties to the homeland, disconnected and oblivious to all Hellenic National Issues, the only apparent tie these Hellenes of the second, third and so on generations have is through the de-Hellenized, multicultural Greek Orthodox Church in America, under the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate.

In the experience of many and contrary to misinformed statements of some Greek and Greek-Cypriot officials , those involved in traditional Hellenic culture and/or activism on Hellenic National Issues are either immigrants or first generation sons and daughters of immigrants. This last wave of involved Hellenes is only a result of the economic hardships of the 1950s-1970s that enticed a few hundred thousand Greeks to immigrate to America, together with the much smaller academic Diaspora of the 1970s and 1980s who came to America because of the then inferior status of the educational system in Greece and Cyprus. Immigration from Greece and Cyprus in the last twenty years has been almost non-existent. Thus, when the last generation of Hellenic traditionalists and Hellenic activists die off, so will Hellenism or at least Hellenic National Issues in America.

On your bio page Aleco, you make note that the “Greek Orthodox” church school that you organized in Florida has less than 9 percent enrollment by pupils of Greek descent. Many of the schools, billed as “Greek schools” by the church, have an overwhelmingly non-Greek enrollment and New York, and Los Angeles and other once thriving Greek-American centres, have a majority enrollment of blacks and Hispanics. Which, is of course, on par with the church ideology of worldwide Christian missions (i.e. the well-financed schools and missions in Kenya and Tanzania)

Besides, the Macedonian Name Issue, the only other legislation your AHI seems to support is in regards to the Patriarchate. More widely, viewed as an agent or asset of Turkish intelligence--the current Patriarchate has been silent on practically all Hellenic National Issues. In this day and age when most, if not all European countries, have introduced a separation of church and state.. The Greek American community still allows a church based in a foreign and hostile land to manage its schools and lead at their events. Regardless, of the facts that some 60 percent of seminary students are totally foreign to Hellenic background, the fact that the church is racked with lawsuits involving heterosexual and much larger and common homosexual sex scandals and outright child molestation. Much like other communities in their relationship with the Vatican, the Hellenic American community (or what’s left of it) has left the Patriarchate’s church in droves, and faces the closure of scores of parishes.

Do you support the re-assessment of the relationship with the Patriarchate? How will you address the assimilation issue? What is your opinion on intermarriage?

Finally, what can you do? And what will AHI do to make the grassroots movement move forward? How do you see it in five years from now? What will you invest in money, resources and manpower to move the grassroots movement forward?

Sincerely,

Nikolaos Taneris, Press Officer, Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA)

Hellenic League of America (HLA)

P.S. I should offer you a small bio of who I am and where I am from, I was born in New York City, my mother was born in the village of Itilon in Mani and my father’s roots are from Eastern Thrace, from the city of Constantinople. I am getting married in August in Cyprus to a Greek-Cypriot girl whose heritage is from Ammochostos, Cyprus. I have been involved in Cyprus and Hellenic National Issues since the 1990s when I was in college; I was once a student member subscriber to AHI.

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_________________

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Critiques of the book CYPRUS, the Post-Imperial Constitution

For Immediate Release: July 1, 2009

Contact: Nikolaos Taneris, New York, Tel. 1-917-699-9935

NEW YORK--The Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA) distributes the following
critiques of the false historical revisionist booklet/pamphlet “CYPRUS, the
Post-Imperial Constitution” by V.K.Fouskas and A.O.Tackie. The Traditional
Enemies of the Truth who pushed the pro-Turkish Annan Plan, aiming to forever
de-Hellenize and surrender Cyprus to Turkey, are now set at work writing and
promoting booklets for a new and improved “Cypriot “ Plan.

Vasilis Fouskas is not of Cypriot origin or heritage, his bio, and his booklet,
are on the Turkish website, www.beyoglu.pandora.tr,
Is, (in the Turk’s own words) as follows; “Vassilis K. Fouskas teaches
international relations at Piraeus University. His grandparents were Greeks from
the Western Asia Minor cities of Ayvalik and Edremit. In 1922 they moved to the
island of Lesvos, following the aborted Anglo-Greek attempt to eradicate Turkey
and Islam fom Anatolia. Vassilis has thus grown up in a refugee family
environment which, fortunately for him, praised the friendship of Turkish and
Greek peoples while damning Western imperialism. Vassilis' work has been
translated into more than ten languages.”

When the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs in London had asked for
contributions on ideas and comments on the Cyprus issue Fouskas publically
responded after Greek-Cypriot rejection of the Annan plan. In his statement
provided as written evidence, he stated the following arguments that promote
illegal economic development for Turks:

“Thus, Cyprus represents a unique challenge for the EU in that it provides the
best testing ground for the implementation of the acquis throughout the island.
This, first and foremost, can begin by boosting the social economy of the North…
Britain … should assist Turkish Cypriots economically and in terms of
reintegrating them with the Greek Cypriots.” Remarked Fouskas to the Select
Committee.

One more piece of information: Fouskas started his English career with Kingston
University and that is where he met Tackie a fellow academic at the University,
and together co-wrote this booklet. His studies were in economics.

Fanoulla Argyrou, a Greek-Cypriot refugee activist, journalist and author who
has lived in the UK since the 1970s told us “Takie is a total foreigner to the
Cyprus issue. The only connection he has is the fact that he was born in
Haringey, North London, an area with a big Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot
population – as far as the Greek Cypriots are concerned, in their majority they
are supporters of the British Labour Party (and AKEL of Cyprus). Haringey is
considered as a stronghold of the Greek Cypriot supporters of the Labour Party.

As far as I know his parents are not Cypriots. “Says Fanoulla Argyrou. (Read
Fanoulla Argrou’s review of the Fouskas/Tackie booklet on the website of TA NEA
newspaper of London:
http://web.mac.com/tanea_london/TANEAonLINE/Salt-Pepper2.html)

Meet Mr. Tackie, the answer to the Cyprus problem, here:
http://fass.kingston.ac.uk/faculty/staff/cv.php?staffnum=65

AKEL, incidentially, is the Communist party of Cyprus.

In fact, Tackie is not even born to Greek-Cypriot (or Greek) parents, his
heritage is from Ghana. A sad commentary on the state of affairs for the
official Cypriot “lobby” is this new reliance on a writer, who laces his booklet
with the word “bullshit” (literally), to provide the answer as to how to deal
with the Turks.

Regardless, it was AKTINA FM (recipient of government monies and community
monies) and its reporter Demetrios Rhompotis
(writer of “NEO” a magazine glossy of photo-ops flooded with Cypriot “lobby” ad
money) in New York, that rushed to promote Tackie’s and Fouskas’ solution to the
Cyprus problem.

In the interest of educational purposes and fair play we provide the following
critique by Leonidas Leonidou of “CYPRUS, the Post-Imperial Constitution by
V.K.Fouskas and A.O.Tackie”.

(THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE IS REPRODUCED FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES)

A critique on the book CYPRUS, the Post-Imperial Constitution
by V.K.Fouskas and A.O.Tackie

This 110 pages booklet was published earlier this year. The whole philosophical
approach of the book is based on the wrong assumptions and shows a superficial
understanding of the Cyprus issue and history in general.

It is evident that the authors, in one stream of their thoughts, start from
their wrong conclusion that the Cyprus problem can only be resolved by two
leftist community leaders and make a desperate attempt to prove it right by the
use of their “humbug” and “bullshit” theories.

The book suggests that the Cyprus issue and the de facto situation ended as a
bicommunal dispute and not an issue of invasion, occupation of one country by
another resulting in the violation of many basic human rights. By doing so it
reduces the impact and the full control that Turkey exerts on the Turkish
Cypriots and suggests that the goodwill of the two leaders could solve the
problem.

It also puts aside the issue of the continued violation by Turkey of the
founding agreements of the Republic of Cyprus including that of sovereignty the
restoration of which the neighbouring country used as pretext for the invasion
of Cyprus.

There are too many historic inaccuracies. I mention here a couple: The 1950
Referendum was not for self-determination but for Enosis and was not done by
Archbishop Makarios II and not III. George Papandreou sent an army division in
1964 in a desperate Greek attempt to face the almost daily invasion threats made
by Turkey and not for a regime change. It also suggests that in 1964 the
Americans sent General Grivas to Cyprus in order to implement the Acheson plan.
This constitutes a gross inaccuracy of the historic facts. Grivas rejected the
Acheson plan.

One other inexcusable simplification in the book is the parallelizing of TMT
with the action of the EOKA campaign. Yet the differences are so fundamental and
obvious even to those unacquainted with the island’s history.

But the most sticking omission of this study is the failure to highlight a
fundamental difference: In Cyprus, an 18% minority taking advantage of these
policies and of the political inadequacies of the 82% Greek majority leadership
managed to drive Cyprus into a political turmoil for almost a century and
achieve their unfounded, unjust and inhuman goal: partition, created by the
British imperialistic and Turkish expansionist foreign policies. On the other
hand the exercise of the right of Self determination was a moral and just
process in resolving majority-minority issues. It was guaranteed for the small
nations by the Atlantic (1941) and Potomac (1954) charters. In 1939 Turkey
applied it to annex Alexandreta with only a majority of 57% and Britain
masterminded its application for Gibraltar to stay British in 2002 and 2005 with
a majority of 60%.

In summary, the historic inaccuracies and the shallow understanding of the
Cyprus issue by the authors puts a shadow on what they set out to do i.e. that
the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots is a fallacy. Yet, for an expert analyst
this should not present such a difficult task.


Leonidas Leonidou
author

London June 2009
####

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