AKEL on the anniversary of the death of the first President of the Republic of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios

Thirty-nine years have passed since the untimely death of Archbishop Makarios. Thirty-nine years without Makarios, but his thoughts are alive and relevant.
Makarios’ historical path and entire life are inextricably linked with Cyprus’ modern history. Critical decisions that determined the fate of our country and people were taken with Makarios at the forefront, who had the prominent stature, prestige and popular support to assume historical responsibilities.
Makarios undertook the responsibility, as the first President of the Republic of Cyprus, to lead the country in the first very difficult years after independence. He defended the Republic of Cyprus and freedom, against NATO’s plans for the partition of our island, but also against the internal subversion and undermining of the state. He defended democracy against the foreign-instigated Greek Junta and the local fascists of EOKA B. He pursued a non-aligned foreign policy, avoiding to make Cyprus a tool of foreign interests and plans.
Makarios proclaimed his policy in favor of a “feasible” contrary to a “desirable” solution. Within the framework of this philosophy, he concluded the first High-Level Agreement in 1977 with the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash for the achievement of a bizonal, bicommunal federation in Cyprus. This is the historic compromise that represents to this day as well a guiding beacon in our efforts to reach a solution.
He implemented an economic and social policy, with the state playing the principal role, which led the newly formed Republic to register significant and rapid development and growth.
These all constitute the political heritage and thoughts that must be an inspiration and beacon of example today as well. In honoring Makarios’ memory, we pay tribute to his struggles and his services towards Cyprus. We honor and follow his legacy and the policy he charted on the Cyprus problem.
At the same time, we defend his memory which is being attacked and vilified through the attempts to falsify and distort the historical truth by circles of the Right. These efforts aim to apportion responsibilities on Makarios for the tragedies experienced by Cyprus. Through these efforts the Right-wing circles are trying to shake off their own responsibilities for the Cyprus tragedy.
We cannot accept the attempt to reverse the roles in Cyprus’ modern history and to turn the perpetrator of the crime committed into a victim; nor can we accept the equation of responsibilities through the current government’s propagation of the theory characterizing the period before the great betrayal in 1974 as a “civil war”.
The greatest tribute however to the memory of the first President of the Republic of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios, is the solution of the Cyprus problem and the liberation and reunification of our homeland and people. For the achievement of a solution of the Cyprus problem, that should be based on the relevant UN resolutions, the High-Level Agreements of 1977 and 1979, International and European Law, AKEL will continue the struggle unceasingly until the day of our people’s redemption and vindication.