A K E LB u l l e t i nEdited by the International Relations Department C.C. AKEL No 37 | September 2013

Hands off Syria British bases out of Cyprus

Our people must not be dragged into an imperialist war supposedly to gain alliesAKEL considers that the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Cyprus with the positions he has ex-pressed is preparing the ground for Cyprus’ participation in the impending war against Syria. His po-sition that they have not decided yet (the US and Britain that is) and that when they decide they willinform us can be interpreted politically that the government is waiting for the decisions of the powerfulof the earth in order to comply with their plans; plans which according to reports in the British press,include the use of the British bases in Cyprus for missile and other military attacks in Syria.

Cyprus’ involvement in a war that is evidently aiming mainly at the repositioning of forces in the re-gion, the distribution of the natural wealth which can lead to the creation of new borders, and involveTurkey and others even more in the sharing of the spoils only causes damage to the Cypriot peoplebut also harms the efforts to solve the Cyprus problem. The British bases in Cyprus must not be al-lowed to be used as a war launching pad in defiance of our people.

The announcement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the separate statements of Foreign MinisterYiannakis Casoulides contain contradictions. On the one hand, the Foreign Minister says he does notwant an escalation of the violence and tension while on the other hand he does not rule out Cyprusbeing used in a predatory war that will massacre our entire region. Such a visible possibility will haveconsequences not only on the political level with regards the Cyprus problem too, but will negativelyaffect the economy of Cyprus. Furthermore, an attack on Syria constitutes a unilateral action in vio-lation of International Law, since it does not appear that the UN Security Council will take such a de-cision. The Republic of Cyprus must oppose in the various international bodies it participates theintervention being planned and Cyprus being used in the war. Our people have suffered enough frominterventions by third parties. Cyprus must be a country undertaking initiatives for peace.

AKEL believes that if our country was in any way tied to NATO it would automatically have by nowbeen dragged into the threatened illegal intervention in Syria. This fact offers to all those who opposeboth the war and Cyprus’ participation in this war the opportunity to see the issues more calmly. Inthe name of a misguided sense of isolation, our people cannot be dragged into an imperialist war sup-posedly to secure allies when Cyprus is suffering from the consequences of such a war. If the Presidentof the Republic Mr. Anastasiades has pledged in the name of Cyprus’ application for the accession tothe so-called Partnership for Peace of NATO to hand over Cyprus to serve militarism, the Cypriotpeople must be made aware of it and take its decisions.

AKEL on thecries for

imperialist intervention

in Syria

Statement by AKELC.C. SpokespersonGeorge Loucaides27th August 2013

Therevelations from the EdwardSnowden case have come to reaf-firm once more the imperialist

mechanisms for surveillance of the peoples of theworld aiming to serve the imperialist domination. Theyhave also brought to light the most organized surveil-lance system through the main internet’s social net-works and search engines that are able to collect andanalyze the personal data of billions of Internet users.

These revelations have reaffirmed also the role ofBritish military bases in Cyprus. It has been alwaysknown that the bases are used as a starting point of im-

perialist opera-tions and spyingin the MiddleEast. The new rev-elations have alsobrought to lightthe American in-

volvement in the bases and their role as a place of datacollection in telecommunications and internet in theMiddle East. AKEL has always stood against the roleof the British military bases in Cyprus. Along with thePopular Movement has fought for the total demilita-rization of the island and its discharge from the impe-rialist interests.

British bases in Cyprus are usedas spy centres in Middle East

>>Edward Snowden Case

The well known role of BritishBases in Cyprus tangle our people in even greater dangersStatement of the Head of International Relations and Euro-pean Affairs Department of the C.C. of AKEL, CostasChristodoulides (03.08.2013)

AKEL condemns the reinforcement of spying activities in Cyprus,through the British bases, as it is revealed by the classified docu-ments of Snowden case, which were published in Britain.

Cyprus, as it is appeared in these documents, is a (with the demandof US intelligence services) a node of Middle East for the informa-tion collection through telecommunications and internet. The well-known role of British Bases in Cyprus and the use of our countryin the frame of the wider imperialist war plans, with the economicassistance of US services, tangle Cyprus and our people in evengreater dangers. The continuous use of our country as a base of spy-ing, supporting war moves and violating private date consists anopen wound for our people and for the peace in the region. In thiscontext, is obvious that the personal data of Cypriot citizens arealso under surveillance.

AKEL calls the government to proceed in demarches to the Britishgovernment. To ask for clarifications and demand the ending of thisactivity. British bases have no place in our homeland.

“No more blood for oil”

On the 27th of July, EDON (youth of AKEL) and Proodeftiki(“Progressive” Student Movement) organised an antimperialisticmarch outside the Police Headquarters of Dhekelia British Base,demanding the withdraw of British bases from Cyprus.

Thedecision of the Finance Ministers of the Eu-rozone of the 25th of March 2013 is a his-toric landmark for Cyprus that marks the

beginning of a new course for the economy and society of Cyprus.The loan facility provided from Troika (ECB, EU, IMF) under theconditionality of a Memorandum of Understanding that includesa series of austerity measures and the decision to impose a haircuton deposits above 100 thousand has put a heavy burden on the peo-ple of Cyprus. Not only because this is the first time that EU hasdecided to use a bail-in approach meaning that people will di-rectly recapitalize banks but also because once again EU haschosen the path of aggressive austerity and depression to facethe capitalist crisis.

The implementation of Memoranda in other countries such asGreece, Portugal and Ireland has come with significant loss of sov-ereignty, prosperity and has intensified the social inequality andmisery. The economic data clearly point a continuous recession de-spite cuts in labour cost, which neoliberal leaders continuously ad-vocated that could solve the problem. Public debt faced significantincrease and unemploy-ment has risen to histor-ical maxima, especiallyamong young people.

Now, more than ever,we believe that unem-ployment and wage cutscannot be faced in theexisting Eurozoneframework, since a con-stant difference in com-petitiveness betweenthe North and the Southwill be perpetuated, nomatter how harsh meas-ures are taken. Also,within the EU thesteps to strengtheneconomic governanceand economic integra-tion minimize the abil-ity of Member States

t ofollow an independent economicpolicy. This means that social policy will be under severe scrutiny,directly affecting low income classes.

The exit from the Euro would possibly be an equally painful option.A new devaluated currency and additional difficulties expected toemerge. A series of technical and economical measures should beimplemented in short time. The restoration of domestic currencyhowever gives a significant perspective and potential for growth inthe future.

Our Party has therefore contacted a study to examine the politicaland economical parameters of such a decision. The study followsan analysis of the challenges that the country will face but in nocase it’s a guide on how to exit from the Euro. Such a process needssound political leadership combined with academic and technicalsupport, which will involve the entire state and follow a coordinated

course. The most important factor will be, ofcourse, mass public support.

AKEL is ready to discuss any option that providesto Cyprus the opportunity to choose a differentpath, away from the Troika and the austerity meas-ures imposed from the Memorandum. We believethat this option would be a coordinated exit formEurozone. The rulling parties consciously rejectsuch a choice and attack AKEL as anti-European.A very well known propaganda spread all around

Europe, against Communist andWorkers Parties. But the sametime they do that, the people issuffering.

On the September 9th 2013,the government is bringingforth another set of bills in fullline with the recipes of theTroika. AKEL and the PopularMovement will organize ademonstration against it.

The struggle against the Memorandum of

Understanding with the ESM

AKELisreadyto dis-

cuss any option that provides to Cyprus theopportunity to choose a different path,away from the Troika and the austeritymeasures imposed from the Memorandum.We believe that this option would be a co-ordinated exit form Eurozone. Therulling parties consciously rejectsuch a choice and attack AKEL asanti-European. A very well knownpropaganda spread all around Eu-rope, against Communist andWorkers Parties. But the sametime they do that, the people issuffering.

“Course out of euro”

“An alternative of hope”

Statement of Andros Kyprianou, General Secretary of the C.C. of AKEL, on economic developments in the European Union andthe New Economic Governance Framework

05.07.2013

Thedramatic developments which the Cypriotpeople is today experiencing are part of all thatand all what the working people will suffer in

all the countries of the European Union. These developments arethe result of the same policies which are destroying societies, livingstandards, popular gains and rights, the dreams and aspirations ofmillions of working people and youth from one end of Europe tothe other.

The estimates and warnings issued by AKEL about the policies theruling circles of the European Union are implementing have regret-tably been confirmed. Everyone should understand that it’s not anideological obsession to say that the European Union, as it is cur-rently operating, is serving the interests of the monopolies andbanks; that the big capital of the European Union is attacking therights of all countries and that the big European countries, headedby Germany, are at the same time attacking the small states. Let usall understand that the creation of a Europe of democracy, progressand social progress, the Europe of the Peoples, is not only not anideological obsession, but a demand of our times and of the peo-ples.

It is not enough today, which in any case is too late, to express dis-comfort about the behavior of the so-called partners towardsCyprus. The Eurogroup decisions regarding our country cannot beseen separately from the invasion of the International MonetaryFund in the Eurozone, the creation of the Troika and the impositionof Memoranda on Greece, Spain, Ireland, Portugal and also in othercountries soon. In recent years, a number of decisions of an eco-nomic nature have been taken by the European Union which asthey come into full force will take the form of an anti-peoples on-slaught. The New Economic Governance Framework of the Eu-ropean Union signals a momentous setback for Europeansocieties and in working people’s living standards throughoutEurope.

The Lisbon Treaty, which entered into force in 2009 and the NewEconomic Governance Framework formulated through the 2012Intergovernmental Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Gover-nance, the Euro Plus Pact Germany and France imposed in March2012, the Six-Pack Legislative Acts implemented since December2011, the European Semester and the Two-Pack Legislative Actsthat will be approved soon have concentrated power with regardseconomic decisions in the powerful centres of the European Union.The scope for member-states to exercise their own socio-economicpolicy has been completely nullified. Member states budgets areput under the control and subject to approval not only of commu-nity bodies, but also of the other member states, that is to say of the2-3 powerful states of the European Union. Consequently, the far-reaching reversal of labour relations, social security and social pol-icy is completed in a dramatic way for the peoples. AKEL was theonly party of Cyprus which voted against all these measures, bothin the House of Representatives and the European Parliament.

Today the so-called Banking Union is being promoted that setsout the terms of operation, restructuring – dissolution ofbanks directly by the European Central Bank and the nationalCentral Banks. The Banking Union is the lever that will drivethe weakest banks under the control of the big banking mo-nopolies. At the same time, the subjugation of the Cooperativemovement entirely under the Banking Union will render the Co-operative Movement in the same fate as the rest of the banks, withall that this would mean for its existence and social role. This isabout a centralization of the banking capital of enormous dimen-sions to the benefit of the powerful, primarily of the German mo-nopolies. AKEL warns that the implementation of the BankingUnion will have further disastrous consequences for Cyprus. Wecall on the Anastasiades government – especially now that it hasfresh memories – to differentiate its position from all that is beingpromoted.

The implementation of theBanking Union Banking Union will have

further devastating consequences for Cyprus

On30th April the Cyprus parliament by a

narrow majority voted in favour of the

bill on the Memorandum and the loan

agreement of 10 billion Euros. The Members of Parliament

supporting the government coalition, namely the Demo-

cratic Rally party DHSY (20), the Democratic Party DHKO

(8) and the President of the European Party EVRIKO, a total

of 29 MP’s, voted in favour of approving the loan agreement.

AKEL (19), the Social Democrats EDEK party (5), the Green

Party (1), an independent MP and an MP of the European

Party, a total of 27 MP’s, voted against.

The decisions of the EU, IMF and the Anastasiades governmentand the Memorandum, although advertised as a "success rescuingCyprus and its banks from a disorderly default" - in reality has ledto unbelievable sacrifices for our people, mass unemployment, re-cession, the enforced contraction of the Cypriot financial sector,severe austerity, privatizations, attacks on working people’s Provi-dent Funds and the mass closure of SMEs.

According to the admissions of the European Commission itself,which many economists and analysts consider as optimistic, GDPwill fall by 8.7% in 2013 and by an additional 3.9% in 2014, that isto say a cumulative total reduction of 12.5% compared to 2012.

This means that within two years one eighth of production will havebeen lost .Its becoming understood that the public debt’s sustain-ability is called into question since the current forecasts do notsufficiently take into account the dangers of recession and loss ofrevenue of the state.

In June, the increase in unemployment in Cyprus was thebiggest across the whole of the EU According to Eurostat, the un-employment rate in Cyprus in June 2013 rose to 17.3% from 16.5%in May and 11.7% in June last year. In August 2013 there were48,000 registered unemployed persons in Cyprus.

The privatization of the country’s three major semi-state or-ganizations (namely the Electricity Authority of Cyprus, CyprusTelecommunications Authority and the Cyprus Ports Authority)are being promoted, despite the fact that all three organizations areprofitable generating significant resources for the state annually. Infact the selling – off of the three semi-state organizations is beingpromoted, since the amount demanded by the Troika from theirsale is 1.4 billion Euros whilst the value of their assets amounts to4.5 billion Euros. In addition, AKEL also stresses the dangers tothe national security of a semi-occupied country that will arise fromthe surrender of vital services and infrastructure to foreign privatemonopolies.

Attack on the Cypriot people’s living standards

Cyprus under the Memorandum yoke

The complete reversal of the socio-economic realities will lead tothe contraction and total transformation of the Cooperative move-ment as promoted by the agreement reached between the Govern-ment and the Troika. The Cooperative movement offered greatsupport to our people and the SMEs and because of its social anddemocratic character it acted as the counterweight to commercialbanks. Now, the Cooperative movement is being put under statecontrol (99% of the shares will be put under state control). It isbeing reduced and will be transformed into 18 small state-ownedcommercial banks and its members will lose their right to elect theirown representatives who will henceforth be appointed by the gov-ernment. There are also enormous concerns about the possibil-ity of the government moving ahead with the selling-off of itsshares to the private sector/individuals.

An unprecedented cut in social benefits is being planned. Thefamily support programs for the refugees of 1974 (which had beensignificantly expanded for those on low incomes during theChristofias administration) are subject to drastic cuts and some ofthem have in essence been abolished. The right for the free use ofpublic transport for pensioners, school pupils and students hasalso been abolished, whilst homes for the elderly and kinder-garten stations are being led to closure.

Cuts of 100 million Euros on healthcare expenditure over thenext three years are planned, despite the fact that the state will col-lect 150 million Euros from the imposition of charges on users ofpublic hospitals, as well as from the contributions of civil servantsto medical care. Within the framework of the education cuts, hun-dreds of contracted teachers are under continuous uncertaintyas to whether they will continue to have a job. At the same timean attempt is underway by the government to place the country'suniversities under hostage by changing the rules of appointmentto their Boards, as well as through the “freezing” of funds relatingto Research and Student Services, whilst the requisition of the Uni-versity of Cyprus’ “own resources” has also been introduced.

The measure for programs offering work experience (stage) to the

u n e m -ployed witha monthlysalary of500 Euros,which thee m p l o y e rafter the comple-tion of the pro-gram will beentitled to keepthe same salary, isalso part of the Anastasiades government’s declarationsfor "restarting the economy". In reality, the government is intro-ducing a "minimum wage" set at 500 Euros through the backdoor.

Since the beginning of July, the whole of Cyprus has by decree ofthe Ministry of Labour been declared a tourist area so that thetourist working time operating daily until 10 p.m and on Sundaysuntil 9 p.m will be implemented by all the tourist shops. In otherwords we are talking about the full liberalization of working timewhich has led to an increase in working people’s unpaid hours andto the strengthening of the major stores to the detriment of smalland medium enterprises. Not only has this not helped tackle un-employment, but on the contrary in the first month of the imple-mentation of this measure, unemployment has risen by 2.43%. Thismeasure is facing the strong opposition of the organizations ofsmall shopkeepers, the trade union movement and AKEL and waswarmly welcomed by the employers' organizations and industrial-ists.

Finally, an immovable property tax was imposed on all ownerswithout exception, in contrast to AKEL’s proposal which targetedtax on big owners and fully exempted the holders of property withsmall value and primary residences, that is to say those making up78% of the actual owners.

This year 39 years will have passed since the double crime committed byNATO against Cyprus: on 15th July 1974 the fascist coup of the junta ofAthens and the Greek Cypriot EOKA B armed underground organizationtook place to overthrow President Makarios and subsequently on 20th Julythe invasion by Turkey of our island was completed in August 1974 withthe occupation of 37% of the island and the de facto partition of Cyprusand its people.

The Peoples Movement of the Left of Cyprus, headed by AKEL organizeda series of mass events and meetings to pay tribute to heroes and martyrsof the Cypriot people who fell in the struggle for Democracy and Freedom,to condemn the imperialist crime and to affirm the continuation of thestruggle to end the occupation and reunify Cyprus so that Greek Cypriotsand Turkish Cypriots can live together in their common home inpeace.These events culminated in the mass militant march of the youth or-ganization of AKEL EDON which ended with at the big rally of 17th July2013 in Nicosia.

39 years since NATO’s double crime

against Cyprus

15th July1974: fascist coup of the greek junta and EOKA Bagainst President Makarios

20th July-14 August 1974: barbaric turkish invasion

“We have gath-ered here to de-

clare that thepeople do notforget. We are

here today to re-mind friends and

enemies of ourcountry, that

Cyprus belongsto its people and

to nobody else! We are here,

because as longas AKEL existsand is fighting,this battle will

never stop! It willcontinue until

Cyprus will onceagain flourish -

until full of all itsbeauties it willembrace all its

children and withboth hands!”Andros Kyprianou, G.S. of C.C. AKEL

extracts from the speech of Andros Kyprianou, General Secretary of AKEL, at the mass event tocondemn the fascist coup d’état and the Turkish in-vasion (17.7.2013, Nicosia)

“The people do not forget who gave the orders for the brutal exter-mination of Cyprus and its people. For NATO, Cyprus was onlyuseful as an “unsinkable aircraft carrier” and as a “spy base ofthe free world” against the Soviet Union, but also as a launch-ing pad for the suppression of the Arab liberation movementsand as a centre to control the flow of oil to the West. For thisreason Cyprus had to be put under the full control of imperialism.For this reason Makarios had to be overthrown, Turkey had to in-vade and divide our island. The “Ball”, “Lemnitser”, “Acheson”, “Sy-rous Vance” and other Plans all had the same objective: theoverthrow of Makarios and to put Cyprus under their control.

The evidence about the role the US and NATO played in thetragedy of our people is massive. For example, the messages sentby the US Assistant Foreign Secretary Ball to US embassies thatthe Greek army has the power to “sort out and deal with Makarios”if an order from Athens is given and that perhaps Grivas could as-sume this responsibility. Furthermore, there is the verbal consentwhich the Junta of Greece welcomed as the “green light” to proceedto carry out a coup d’état in 1972 according to Panagiotakos (Note:Greek junta diplomat who served in Nicosia); the intervention ofthe NATO Secretary-General Joseph Luns in the 1973 crisis insidethe Cyprus Church in favor of three pro-fascist leading Church fig-ures; the confirmation given by Bonanos (Note: Greek junta Gen-eral, a leading protagonist of the betrayal of 1974) in a meeting just

a few days before the coup that "we have been given assurances”;the "sympathy and understanding" expressed by the U.S. AssistantSecretary to the Turkish ambassador in August 1974.

AKEL resisted, along with other democratic forces, with heroismand selflessness the wave of destruction. We formed a popular,anti-fascist, anti-imperialist and democratic front of strugglearound President Makarios. We stood at the forefront of thestruggle for the defense of democracy, the dignity and freedom ofour people. Thousands of cadres and members of AKEL and thePeople’s Movement of the Left fought heroically and selflessly, rush-ing to the battle front to defend democracy and the territorial in-tegrity of our homeland.

Palazarou, Kestas, Kourtellos, Mishaouli, Constantinou, Mattheou,Kombos, Evagoras, Ioannidis, Nicolettis, Efthimiou, Kaouris,Ttooulou, Apostolou, Socrates, Karasamanis…So many othercomrades whose sacrifice watered the struggle for the vindicationof Cyprus. Today our duty is to prove that these sacrifices werenot in vain. This will be achieved by remaining faithful to thestruggle for the liberation and reunification of our country andpeople; by remaining consistent to our struggle for a free, inde-pendent, federal, demilitarized Cyprus, without foreign troopstrampling on its rights and bases enslaving us.”

extracts from the speech of ChristosAlekou, Organisational Secretary of theC.C. of AKEL to the mass event in Memory and Honour of the Four Heroesof the working class neighborhood of Ayi Gianni in Larnaca

"The news of the fascist coup caused the up-rising of the democratic people of Larnaca.Any other response was out of the question.There could only be one reply: Resistance sothat fascism will not pass! People sponta-neously gathered in squares and in prominentpoints of the city. Demonstrations are organ-ized. The people ask for weapons to resist thecoup. In the city’s police station and elsewherearmed battles break out. The members ofAKEL and EDON are among the front line ofresistance. The message that Makarios is aliverejuvenates morale and strengthens the decision for resistance.Brave youth jump into cars and convey to all corners of the city thenews that President Makarios is alive, that the resistance is contin-uing all over Cyprus.

The coupists however were lurking. They organize ambushes asthey used to do all through the turbulent years of EOKA B terror-ism. When the cars with democratic youth enter the Acropolissquare they came under intense fire. The members of AKEL George

Adamou X'' Stefanis and the members of EDON George Char-alambous, Achilles Kourtellas and 14 year old Andreas Theodosioufell dead defending Democracy and the Republic. Other fellowcomrades were wounded and subsequently persecuted andhounded by the fascists even though they were injured.

The lives of the four Heroes and Martyrs of Ayi Gianni were cutshort so early and tragically. Their blood however, as the blood ofso many other resistance fighters who fell, watered the tree of free-dom and democracy.”

The Central Committee of AKEL, during its session today, discussed the Cyprus problemwithin the context of the new given international, regional and domestic situation.

Fully aware of the dangers looming due to the unprecedented and extremely unfavorablesituation we face, we do not get disorientated and remain consistent to the goal for a so-lution of the Cyprus problem based on the resolutions of the UN Security Council andthe High-Level Agreements. The partitionist status quo is unacceptable and dangerous.The solution of our political problem based on principles will bring many political andeconomic benefits to our people as a whole and will create conditions of security, stabilityand prosperity.

The bi-zonal bi-communal federal solution with political equality of the two communitiesas defined in the resolutions of the UN Security Council must be based on the principlesof International and European Law and safeguard the single sovereignty, single interna-tional personality and the single citizenship of the united Republic of Cyprus, fully de-militarised, with the withdrawal of the settlers and safeguarding of human rights andfundamental freedoms, including the right of the refugees for the return to their homesand properties.

AKEL believes that in today´s difficult conditions the best and most effective way to ad-dress the dangers ahead is to remain consistent to the agreed framework of the solutionand to the convergences as our side perceives them. The Downer document proves thatthe so-called supposedly "generous concessions" of our side simply do not exist.

AKEL will not involve the Cyprus problem in petty-party and petty-political considera-tions and expediencies and declares its willingness to back President Anastasiades in theefforts for a solution, provided of course that there will be the necessary collectivity, aswell as adherence to the agreed negotiation basis and a solution of our political problembased on principles.

Statement of theC.C. of AKEL on the

Cyprus Problem 21st of June 2013

Avoting for the election of the representatives of the so-called Parliament of the occupied north of Cyprus washeld on the 28th of July. Since 1983, when the inaugu-

ration of the pseudostate “TRNC” by Turkey and the nation-alist leadership of the Turkishcypriot community took placein the occupied north of Cyprus, voting procedures are heldfor the election of the representatives of the pseudostate’s “in-stitutions”. These procedures as well the pseudostate are notrecognized as a state’s elections by any country in the world butTurkey that is directly involved in the political-economic sta-tus-quo of the turkishcypriot community after its invasion inthe island in 1974. Nevertheless, these voting procedures electthe representatives of the Turkishcypriot community whichplay a significant role in the efforts for a solution in the CyprusProblem and the political developments in the island as awhole.

In these voting procedures participate political Parties of a widerange of ideologies and political stands – from extreme right totallyin favor of a two-states solution in the Cyprus Problem up to pro-gressive parties that are critical in the whole status-quo and favor areunified federal Cyprus.

It must be noted also that the pseudostate is based in a mixed pres-idential-parliamentary political system. Thus, the so-called “parlia-mentary elections” although they form a government, they don’t

elect the leader of the state. The leader is elected in the “presidentialelections”. The “president” is also the representative of the turkish-cypriot community in the international community and the bilat-eral talks between the two communities for a solution to theCyprus Problem.

The last voting brought CTP in the first position that used to be inthe opposition since recently. The victory of CTP was an outcomeof several factors. Firstly, they have gained from the political costof the previous-ruling party right wing UBP which suffered froman internal discord and a depreciated ruling guided by Turkey’s ne-oliberal policies in the economic and social field. Secondly, theyhave gained from a clear opposition to the neoliberal program im-posed by Turkey and the growing threat of the assimilation of theTurkishcypriots by the Turkish settlers and the further growingeconomic-political involvement of Turkey in the Turkishcypriotsociety and economy.

The 38.4% of CTP brought it in the first place but it is not able toform a government on its own. It is still in an effort of forming acoalition government. At the moment it failed to do it so with theDP-UG but it is not aiming to have a coalition with the UBP. BKPthat ran the elections in a coalition with other progressive forcesdid not manage to enter the Parliament although it managed todouble its percentage.

28th July 2013: Voting in the occupied areas of Cyprus

BKP(United Cyprus Party)Marxist-Leninist Party founded by Ozger Ozgurafter he left CTP. Clear stance against Turkey’s rolein Cyprus and especially the colonisation of north-ern Cyprus. Supports federal solution and demili-tarisation of Cyprus. Fraternal relations with AKEL.

CTP(Republican Turkish Party)former Marxist-leninist Party Since

the 90’s it moved to a socialdemocraticapproach that also led to a step-back to

its principled positions on basic as-pects of Cyprus Problem (settlers, de-

militarisation, guarantees). Affiliatednow with International Socialist and

European Socialist Party. Nevertheless, the relations of CTP

with AKEL have always been intensivebased on the common will for an inde-pendent, federal and peacefull Cyprus.

UBP (National Unity Party)Nationalist right wing founded by the historical for-mer leader of the Turkishcypriots Raouf Denktash.

Supports a confederation and hard partition lines forthe future of the two communities. Favours unity and

close relations with Turkey in every domain.

TDP (Communal Democracy Party)

Socialdemocratic Party with progressive positions in the

Cyprus Problem.

DP(Democratic Party)Nationalist centre-right. In favor of a con-federation solution in the Cyprus Problembut more critical on Turkey’s role inCyprus. Tradition of coalitions with bothUBP and CTP.

On behalf of the Central Committee of AKEL, I address a warm greeting to the 3rd Congress ofthe United Cyprus Party (BKP) and wish every success in its deliberations.

Since its foundation in 2002 BKP has established itself in the minds not only of the progressiveTurkish Cypriots, but also of the progressive Greek Cypriots, as a genuine Cypriot voice, as abastion of struggle that is fighting for the rights of Cyprus and our people as a whole. BKP is alsoa bastion of struggle fighting for the identity and dignity of the Turkish Cypriots.

The 3rd Congress of your Party is convening at a time of important developments in Cyprus, theEastern Mediterranean and the world. We are following closely the developments in your com-munity and wish the upcoming vote will strengthen the forces that sincerely want and are strug-gling for a federal solution of the Cyprus problem and defending the interests of the TurkishCypriot workers. The popular uprising in Turkey against the governments arbitrariness, as wellas the mass mobilisations in Greece on the occasion of the closure of the Public BroadcastingStation ERT demonstrate that the peoples do not compromise, on the contrary they are fightingagainst those anti-peoples policies which the local ruling class and the big international capitalare trying to impose on them. We are in solidarity with the peoples of Turkey and Greece. Inter-national solidarity is a powerful weapon of resistance in the hands of the people against imperi-alism.

The clouds of war are gathering dangerously in our neighbourhood. The only principled positiontowards the threat of war is the determined defence of peace from the imperialist aggressions andthe defence of the right of the peoples to decide and choose their own future.

Unavoidably our attention at this moment turns to the crisis and the policies the European Unionis trying to impose on us and which are leading the people to destitution and poverty. We are es-calating our resistance to these policies that are also being supported by domestic capital. Ofcourse this does not mean that we must put the Cyprus problem and its solution as a secondarypriority. The Cyprus problem continues to be the main problem that concerns us. The crisissooner or later will pass. The need however for a solution of the Cyprus problem will always re-main timely because only a correct solution of the Cyprus problem can be the basis for a lastingpeace and bring prosperity to our people.

The well-known imperialist circles abroad, as well as the leadership of Turkey, believe that by ex-ploiting the crisis they will impose on us an unacceptable and anti-Cypriot solution that will per-petuate the current partitionist situation. As progressive people in both communities we mustcombat, disclose and fight so that these plans will not pass.

There is of course another school of thought. It is the school of thought that has never acceptedthe solution of federation and which wants to raise obstacles to any attempts to achieve a bi-zonalbi-communal federal solution. The duty of all progressive Cypriots is to combat this destructivepolicy and work for a solution that will reunify our country and people based on the resolutionsof the United Nations, based on the a bi-zonal bi-communal federation with political equality.

With these thoughts we once again wish every success to your Congress. Anything that strength-ens and enhances BKP, simultaneously strengthens the struggle of the progressive forces of theTurkish Cypriots, and enhances the struggle of the progressive forces of the whole of Cyprus.

Speech of YiannakisColokasides,

member of the Political Bureau of

AKEL, at the 3rdCongress of the

Turkish CypriotUnited Cyprus

Party (BKP)

TheKarpasia peninsula is an area rich in biolog-ical and environmental diversity and is oneof four major ecological regions across

Cyprus. In recent years, Turkey and Erdogan, for geopoliticalreasons, have intensified the process of altering the demographicstructure of the occupied areas of Cyprus through its coloniza-tion policy. At the same time, colonization is facilitating theinvestment activity of Turkey’s big capital in the Karpasiapeninsula.

AKEL highlights the political dimension of demographic alter-ation of the occupied areas of Cyprus through the Turkish col-onization, but also its environmental aspect. This is an issue thatconcerns all Cypriots, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. Inthis context, the AKEL Delegation in the GUE / NGL Groupand the Confederal Group of GUE / NGL in the European Par-liament organized on 1st June 2013, an event entitled "The de-mographic alteration and the environmental degradation of theKarpasia peninsula - the European Dimension". Speakers in-cluded cadres of AKEL, a representative of the Turkish Cypriots,the environmental movement, as well as GUE/NGL MEP, Kar-tika Liotard.

Neoklis Silikiotis, member of the Political Bureau of the C.C. ofAKEL, who in his introductory speech stated that since 2007and onwards, there is a continuous effort from the given Turkish

Cypriot leaderships to create the necessary infrastructures tomake the Karpasia area into another tourist zone, thus jeopard-izing the historical and cultural structure of Karpasia peninsula.The reckless and illegal development in the Karpasia Peninsulais undermining the ecosystem and cultural and historic environ-ment of the region. It is drastically changing the demographicstructure and imposing barriers to a lasting and sustainable, justunder the circumstances solution of the Cyprus problem. Assuch, it must be annulled for our common interest. The need forcollective action, together with our Turkish Cypriot compatri-ots, to address not only environmental, but also socio-economicproblems is today more pressing than ever before. He urged theEU to show real sensitivity with regards the change of the de-mographic situation in the occupied territories. The environ-mental degradation and destruction in the Karpasiapeninsula, is a political and economic tool of the ruling classin Turkey, which through the Islamic big capital, is consol-idating this illegal situation.

Adamos Adamou, AKEL-Left-New Forces MP and Chairmanof the Environment Committee of the House of Representa-tives, noted in principle that the Karpasia peninsula is the onlyMediterranean ecosystem with a global significance. Amongthe examples, he said, are the 12,500 native plants, severalmillion migratory birds, rare turtles, seals and waterfowl.The area is also a precious cultural heritage. In recent years

>> Meeting of the Left Group in the European Parliament and AKEL on the demographicalteration and environmental degradation of the Karpasia peninsulaKarpasia peninsula

The occupationoccupation and colonizationcolonizationare also threatening the environenviron mentment

we have all witnessed an intense ef-fort for investment and growth inthe region, which undoubtedlythreatens the entire ecosystem. "Anarea which falls within the SpecialProtection Area cannot be de-stroyed, its land sold off for the func-tioning of branches of Turkishuniversities and Turkish footballclubs and in addition the construc-tion of new hotels and roadsplanned, instead of sustainable de-velopment projects in Karpasiacommunity being promoted."

Kartika Liotart, Vice President ofGUE/NGL Group, and member ofthe Committee on the Environ-ment, Public Health and FoodSafety of the European Parliament,in her speech on "European policies on the environment and theprivatization of natural resources," said that a "NATURA 2000" area provides goods and ecosystem services, for example thecreation of jobs for the preparation and maintenance of theecosystem, eco-tourism and recreation (direct and indirect em-ployment). The comprehensive study "The Economics ofEcosystems and Biodiversity" is a very big project that highlightsthat a sustainable management of natural resources is a key ele-ment in achieving the goals for the reduction of poverty, as re-flected in the Millennium Development Goals. In short, theprudent management of ecosystems and the protection of bio-diversity can help to reduce poverty. Finally, she stressed thesupport of GUE / NGL in the fight Cypriots, Greek Cypri-ots and Turkish Cypriots, for liberation and reunificationof the island.

Petros Pashias, President of the Federation of EnvironmentalOrganizations of Cyprus, stated that the Federation considersthe continuing ecological destruction as our country’s num-ber one environmental problem, along with the illegal Turk-ish invasion and continuing occupation, resulting in theviolent uprooting of people from their natural space and allthe other effects. "We consider as solely responsible for the de-struction taking place in recent years in Karpasia peninsula theruling political forces in Turkey, and the illegal regime subordi-nate to them which have imposed in the occupied territories ofthe Republic." Furthermore, he called on all the environmentalorganizations of the island to cooperate for the preparation of aStrategic Management Plan of the Karpasia Peninsula, in orderto set out the conditions and terms that will lead to the protec-tion of this sensitive area.

Abdullah Korkmazhan, Member of the Political Bureau of theTurkish Cypriot “United Cyprus Party "(BKP), stressed that thealteration of the demographic structure and the destruction ofthe environment of the Karpasia Peninsula, are the most impor-tant aspects of the policies pursued aiming at the colonizationof the north of Cyprus. One of the biggest problems faced byTurkish Cypriots, he said, is the danger of the very extinc-tion of our community, as a result of the systematic policyof the transfer of population. This policy, implementedsince 1974 and which has become even more noticeablefrom 2000 onwards, is part of the policy of colonization ofthe northern part of Cyprus, aiming at its assimilation toTurkey. This policy is the same policy implemented by Israelwhich is constructing settlements in the Palestinian territoriesand placing settlers in these settlements. In addition, he citedevidence of these developments, noting that the colonization inthe north of Cyprus and the policy of systematic assimilationapplied to Turkish Cypriots constitutes a war crime.

Regarding the Karpasia peninsula, he said that what is happen-ing can be summed up in the phrase "Capitalism cuts the tree ofwhich it can’t sell the shadow." This short phrase describes therelationship capitalism has with the environment. The ecolog-ical disaster in the Karpasia peninsula can be explained onlyby the illogical nature of the capitalist system: "profit, moreprofit, at any cost." To prevent the disaster in the Karpasiapeninsula, we must rally all our forces. We must also intensifyour efforts to solve the Cyprus problem. The time that passeswithout a solution, works against the whole of Cyprus andCypriots themselves.

Theelection of Nikos Anas-tasiades to the Presi-dency of the Republic of

Cyprus apart from representing an all-out at-tack on working people’s living standards alsosignaled a radical pro-NATO reorientation inCyprus’ foreign policy. Since last February, theruling party of Cyprus is the Democratic Rallyparty (DISY) which expresses the interests ofthe big bourgeoisie of the Greek Cypriot com-munity and also integrates a large part of theGreek Cypriot extreme right-wing. Ideologi-cal and politically DISY is a classic neoliberalright-wing party, a member of the EuropeanPeople's Party EPP, which has always sup-ported Cyprus’ alignment with NATO and es-pecially with the US and Britain.

It is the only force in Cyprus that does not condemn - even ver-bally - the role of NATO, the US and Britain in the creation andperpetuation of the Cyprus problem, in the preparation andplanning of the fascist coup d’état and the Turkish invasion of1974. Indirectly - and sometimes openly – they argue thatthe 1974 Cyprus tragedy could have been avoided had Arch-bishop Makarios and AKEL accepted a form of a NATO so-lution to the island. Furthermore, they hide the fact thatWestern imperialism is fostering Turkey’s intransigence to dateregarding the efforts to solve the Cyprus problem.

It is characteristic that the Democratic Rally party has persist-ently supported all initiatives and plans coming from the Amer-icans and the British. During the period 1993-2003 when theDemocratic Rally was again in power under President GlafkosClerides, it followed a subservient and obedient policy towardsthe US and Britain supposedly in order to gain their favor forthe solution of the Cyprus problem. That policy of complianceand concessions to US pressure led to the sidelining of the UNResolutions on Cyprus and the elaboration of the Annan Plan,which was far from adhering to the correct principles for the so-lution of the Cyprus problem and International Law. The Planwas rejected in 2004 by 76% of the Greek Cypriots, among themtwo thirds of the voters of the Democratic Rally party itself.

During the Christofias administration the DISY party stronglycriticized AKEL and the former President of "ideological rigid-ity" with regards foreign policy, whilst simultaneously exertingpressure for the need to approach NATO, the US and forCyprus’ full alignment with the prevailing policies of the EU.DISY party was pushing fiercely so that an application forCyprus’ membership in the NATO "Partnership for Peace"be submitted, securing the support of all the other main par-ties except AKEL. It criticized the previous government thatbecause of the position it upheld on the issues of Syria andLibya, it was transforming Cyprus into a "red sheep" of the EU.It reacted with anti-communist hysteria to the previous govern-ment's decision to open an embassy in Cuba, as well as to themeetings of former President Demetris Christofias with theleaders of Cuba and Venezuela. It repeatedly resented the devel-opment of closer relations with Russia and China, as well as theprincipled position supported by Cyprus concerning the MiddleEast problem and Cyprus’ solidarity with the Palestinian people.Finally, it exerted pressure for evolving the economic-energy co-operation with Israel into an all-round all-encompassing militaryalliance.

During the February 2013 presidential elections, various US-NATO circles, as well as Germany, openly expressed their sup-port of Anastasiades. These are the very same circles targetingthe huge gas deposits recently discovered in the Exclusive Eco-

The foreign policy of the government, DISY party and Anastasiades

nomic Zone of Cyprus and consider that Cyprus’ dramatic eco-nomic situation is an opportunity for them to impose theirplans. In recent months we had a wave of "recommendations"by officials of NATO, EU, USA and of course the Turkish lead-ership talking about connecting the solution of the Cyprus prob-lem with the utilization of the natural gas. In essence they arereferring to a “package” solution that will include the shack-ling of Cyprus in NATO, a solution of confederation of theCyprus problem (that is to say, a covert partition of the is-land) and an unspecified status of "co-exploitation" of theCypriot natural gas with Turkey.

All these forces consider Anastasiades’ election as their oppor-tunity to promote these geopolitical objectives. Besides, Anas-tasiades is the only Greek Cypriot politician who expressed theposition for a solution of the Cyprus problem through a "loosefederation" and for a "regulation" of the rights of interventionwhich Greece, Turkey and Britain have over Cyprus (accordingto the 1959 Agreement for the island's independence) insteadof their abolition. It is therefore not a surprise that formerNATO Secretary General Javier Solana in a recent article char-acterized the election of Anastasiades as an "opportunity" tosolve the Cyprus problem and impose a "new business model inCyprus."

From the very first day of his election, Anastasiades proclaimedas his first goal the "reorientation of the foreign policy ofCyprus”, Cyprus’ accession to the NATO programme "Partner-

ship for Peace» and the forging of relationships with NATO,with the ultimate aim of joining it. Within the framework of thispro-imperialist orientation, Anastasiades - during his visit toIsrael - declared Cyprus as “Israel’s most reliable neigh-bour", something which apart from making assurances towardsthe Netanyahu government also conveys messages to the Arabworld. At the same time, the Anastasiades, Samara and Ne-tanyahu governments are promoting an enhanced military al-liance of Cyprus-Greece-Israel within the context of theso-called energy security. The statements of the governmentspokesman of Cyprus for the necessity of Cyprus participatingin the "front against Iran which is the main enemy of the West",as well as the approval given by the Cypriot Foreign Affairs Min-ister at the EU Foreign Affairs Council to lift the arms embargoon the anti-regime rebels of Syria must be seen within thisframework.

We therefore must not be struck by the statement of the U.S.Ambassador to Cyprus that "the government of President Anas-tasiades is more com-mitted to a closercooperation with theUS than any otherprevious govern-ment, a fact whichmakes Cyprus amore powerful part-ner of the US.”

“Cyprus delivered into the NATO tentacles”

As AKEL had foreseen, the new President of Re-public of Cyprus, leader of the Cypriot Right

Nicos Anastasiades announced on the first day ofhis election that his primary goal will be Cyprus´application to join the NATO programme "Part-nership for Peace" while in his first speech to the

Cypriot parliament he stated that he aims to"build relationships with NATO’’.

Onbehalf of the Central Committee of AKEL wethank KKE for the invitation to participate intoday's meeting. At the same time we congrat-

ulate KKE for initiatives - such as the current – it is undertakingand for its general activity on the front of anti-imperialist, interna-tionalist solidarity. We also welcome its pioneering action in theworkers popular struggles in Greece, the most recent example itsresistance to the closure of the country’s public broadcasting cor-poration. With the same fervor we welcome the popular move-ments in Turkey and Egypt who are experiencing the brutalrepression of the ruling bourgeois governments.

The developments in the Eastern Mediterranean region render thequalitative improvement of the coordination, joint action and fur-ther elaboration of common positions between the Communistand Workers' Parties imperative, particularly in our region..

Our meeting is taking place at a time when the imperialist aggres-sion in Syria is escalating. The dead have surpassed 93,000. Therefugees are estimated at hundreds of thousands. The imperialistsare throwing oil on the fire. It is clear that there is a plan for foreignmilitary intervention in Syria that will probably spread to Lebanonand possibly the entire region. Besides, Western imperialists realtarget is the intervention in Iran and control of its rich productiveresources.

We express our solidarity with the people of Syria and Iran and joinour voice with the peace-loving anti-imperialist forces in our region.We defend the territorial integrity, unity and sovereignty of Syria.AKEL has already organized in Nicosia a mass mobilization, involv-

ing Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots in order to inform ourpeople about the dangers of the imperialist’s policy and to condemnthe plans for a new war and intervention in our area.

The imperialists will not disclose their aspirations openly. For this,they either exploit real problems to ferment existing problems orinvent pretexts. The so-called "transition to democracy", "Iran's nu-clear program" and “the use of chemicals by the Assad regime" isthe rhetoric covering the imperialist designs. However, no specialeffort is needed to refute these pretexts. First, because the biggestnuclear threat in the region comes from Israel. However the US,NATO and the EU remain silent as this concerns an ally of theirs.Second, because despotic and autocratic regimes such as thoseof Ben Ali in Tunisia, Mubarak in Egypt and the Gulf monar-chies had or have very strong ties with the Western imperialistcentres.

In saying this, we do not identify with regimes like those of Gaddafiin Libya and Iran. Furthermore, we share the democratic and labourdemands projected by the communists and progressive forces ofSyria in relation to the internal governance of their country. Moregenerally, we are on the side of the Communists, progressive andanti-imperialist forces in these countries fighting for popular andlabor rights, for political and trade union freedoms and the releaseof political prisoners, for democracy and socialism. At the sametime however, these forces - correctly and patriotically – do not ac-cept the exploitation and growth of these issues by the impe-rialists so as to legitimize foreign intervention in their countrybecause the struggle for democracy and popular sovereigntyof each country is a matter of the people themselves; because

Meeting of Communist and Workers' Parties of the region of the eastern Mediterranean, Red Sea and Gulf, in Athens 25th June, 2013

For the right of peoples to choosethe path of development of theircountry against imperialist war andcapitalist exploitation

extracts from the speech of Christos Alecou, member of the Political Bureau of the C.C. of AKEL

each people (and only the people) have the absolute right to chooseits country’s own path of social and economic development. Andthe Communists are defending this right for every people. Towardsthis end, the Communist Parties of Syria have our full solidarity.We express the same solidarity also towards the Tudeh Party of Iranand support its struggle to end the anti-communist persecutionsand that its operation is legalized.

The Communists are in a position to disclose the class interests be-hind the developments, because they rely on an objective-dialecti-cal analysis of reality. The Eastern Mediterranean has a huge energywealth. At the same time it is a critical point for the flow of raw ma-terials and trade. It is therefore precious for the major capitalist cen-tres of the world and for the ruling classes of the countries in theregion. Ultimately, all these represent the interests of the energy gi-ants and business monopolies.

The main objective of these centres is to safeguard the flow of ma-terials, energy and products from the region, ensuring their accessto energy sources and new deposits in the eastern Mediterraneanand the "modernization" of the bourgeois regimes in the region, sothat they are a basis for the activity of the monopoly groups. Thatwas the meaning of the European Security Strategy of 2003 thattalked about "promoting a web of well-administered states eastof the EU and the Mediterranean coastline, with whom we canenjoy relations of close cooperation."

This is the area where imperialist contradictions, compromises be-tween them, temporary or permanent alliances, transnational as-sociations and enormous plans including the redrawing of bordersare expressed. The American-instigated "New Middle East" plan,which provides for the complete rearrangement of the region, issuch a plan. This includes the escalating militarization of the regionby NATO, the EU, and Israel with the strengthening of their mili-tary presence in the Mediterranean, the intensification of naval andair exercises, the further nuclearization and use of military bases.All these represent the armed wing of capitalism that protects andguards the monopolies actions.

In this context we should viewnew issues (such as the interven-tion in Libya, the partition ofSudan, the uprisings in the Arabcountries and the way they havedeveloped), but also pending in-ternational problems such as theMiddle East and the Turkish oc-cupation of Cyprus within thisframework.

Dear comrades,We have a responsibility to intensify our initiatives on the front ofinternationalist solidarity and antiwar action.

- We should intensify our warnings locally and enhance the mobi-lization of the people.

- We should open the discussion on the developments in the East-ern Mediterranean in the international bodies we participate andexert pressure on the governments of our countries not to becomeinvolved in any way in the developments unfolding. AKEL has de-manded public explanations from the Government of Cyprus con-cerning the consent the EU has granted for the lifting of the armsembargo to the Syrian opposition.

- We should undertake joint international action in the regionthrough solidarity initiatives, visits etc.

For us, internationalist solidarity is not merely humanitarian assis-tance to suffering peoples; it is an expression of a common outlookand strategy against imperialism, despite whatever secondary differ-ences we may have.

The Communists are in the front line of peace – loving antiwar ac-tion not because they are pacifists but anti-imperialists. We high-light that peace is not merely the absence of war, but theabsence, the eradication of the causes of war. And the cause ofimperialist wars will not be found elsewhere than in the samepredatory nature of monopoly capitalism, which sometimes is man-ifested in a bloodless manner and (inevitably) sometimes takes theform of aggressions and wars. It is the peoples however who paythe price both for imperialist wars and imperialist "peace."

The more our struggle against imperialist wars and against thetribulations the capitalist crisis and capitalist development entailsfor the peoples gains ground, the more the brutal exploitative na-ture of the system itself will be revealed. So will the fact that capi-talism has long ago reached its limits and is now decayingparasitically, so will the socialist future of humanity be illuminated.

Visit of the General Secretary of the Portuguese Communist Party in Cyprus

The General Secretary of the Por-tuguese C.P. (PCP) has visitedCyprus on the 19th of June. He

was accompanied by the member of the Po-litical Committee and the International De-partment of PCP com. Angelo Alves.During the visit com. De Sousa held a bi-lateral meeting and a common Press Con-ference with the General Secretary of the CC AKEL com. AndrosKyprianou. During the bilateral talks issues of common interestwere discussed as the political developments in Europe and partic-ular in Cyprus and Portugal and the upcoming European Electionsin May 2014.

"The root cause of the problems in our view are to be found in thepolicies being implemented over all the past decades by the rulingcircles of the European Union," noted Andros Kyprianou, addingthat worst of all "is that they are attempting by implementing thesame recipes and policies that led to the global economic crisis tosolve the problems the peoples are facing." He went on to say that"the results are clear. In Portugal, Cyprus, Greece and Spain, andwherever these policies are being implemented, not only have theynot led to exiting the crisis and overcoming the recession countrieshave been plunged into, but on the contrary the crisis has deepenedeven more". The General Secretary of the Portuguese CommunistParty Jeronimo De Sousa during the meeting touched on Portugal'sexperience which Andros Kyprianou characterised as a "night-

mare". "There is only one option before us, "the General Secretaryof AKEL pointed out, namely to disengage from the Memorandawhich have been imposed on us by the European Union."

On his part, the General Secretary of PCP expressed the solidarityof the Portuguese Communist Party with AKEL and the Cypriotpeople in the face of the great threats they have to encounter withregards living conditions, but also concerning the future.

"We have shared our experiences from Portugal which over the lasttwo years has witnessed the conditions of an administration undera Memorandum", he said, noting that, " They told the people therewould only be one Memorandum that would seek to find solutionsregarding the debt and the deficits," Now, he stated, two years havepassed since the imposition of the Memorandum and the debt, thedeficits, unemployment, poverty and social injustice have all in-creased. They may have solved the problems the bankers and finan-cial capital faced, but they have greatly exacerbated workingpeople's problems," Jeronimo de Sousa underlined.

The President of the CPBM Filip Vojtech with the President of the Parliament of Cyprus Yiannakis Omirou.

Adelegation of the Communist Party of Bohemia &Moravia headed by the President of the Party, Filip Vo-jtech visited Cyprus on 29th of May 2013. The Cyprus

Problem, EU policies and the consequences of the capitalist crisiswere the main issues at the meeting between the leadership of theCzech communists and the General Secretary of the C.C. of AKELAndrow Kyprianou.

The GS of AKEL thanked the Communist Party of Bohemia &Moravia for their support to the struggle of Cyprus for liberationand reunification of the island and its people. Andros Kyprianoucongratulated the Communist Party of Bohemia-Moravia for thevery good results on the last year’s elections, where CPBM gained21% and became the second political force in Czech Republic. The two leaders exchanged views on the upcoming European Elec-tions of May 2014 and agreed on continuing contacts among Eu-ropean left parties in order to form a common declaration. The GSof the CC of AKEL assured that the relations of the two parties willbe considerably enhanced.

On his behalf, the President of CPBM expressed support to the UNResolutions on Cyprus Problem, pointing out that only their im-plementation can lead to a fair and viable solution. Filip Vojtechthanked AKEL for its contribution on the formation of a progres-

sive left agenda as a response to the economic policies of EU. Thecontinuation of the ne-oliberal policies will onlydeepen the conse-quences of the crisis.

The delegation of theCommunist Party of Bo-hemia & Moravia had also a meeting with the President of the Par-liament and leader of Cypriot socialdemocratic party (EDEK)Yiannakis Omirou. The leader of CPBM expressed the support ofits party to the efforts for a fair solution of the Cyprus problem,which should end the Turkish occupation.

Visit of the President of the CommunistParty of Bohemia & Moravia in Cyprus

"It is important for the Cypriot people to understand that withthe ruling forces dominating the European Union, with the roleof the IMF, the goal is the imposition of austerity, the increase inprofits for big capital and the deterioration of the socio-economicsituation for the working people", said Jeronimo de Sousa.Fur-thermore, the General Secretary of PCP added that at this mo-ment "the working people and the people of Portugal are takingthe path of protest against the Memoran-dum and the Troika. We are at a stage ofa very strong protest by the people. Thepeople are struggling so that they will bethe ones to decide about their own pathand future and not any foreign forcesand organisations."

During the meeting the two leaders alsoexchanged views on strengthening andenhancing joint action between the twoParties.

The General Secre-tary of PCP address-ing to the mass eventorganized by AKEL in Larnaca,where the GS ofAKEL analyzed the Political Proposal ofAKEL for an exitfrom Memorandum

AKEL has stood clearly in solidarity with the people of Turkey andthe Communist Party of Turkey to their just struggle for socialrights and freedoms in Turkey.

The protests that started and continue in the Taksim square andGezi Park in Istanbul have managed to express the reaction of agreat part of the Turkish people that reject conservatism and reli-gion orientated policies as well the brutal oppression of the stateagainst the freedom of expression and political struggle. Also, theforeign policy of Turkey in the region is additional reason of thepopular reaction against the government’s policies.

A K E Lhas alsocalled forpa r t i c i -aption atthe soli-darity event with the struggle of the people of Turkey or-ganised by the Pancyprian Peace Council. At the event, GreekCypriots and Turkish Cypriots clearly declared their support to thejust struggle of the protesters and condemned the brutal attackagainst protesters and cadres of the Communist Party of Turkey.

Solidarity with the struggle ofthe people of Turkey

AKEL on the mass demonstrations in Turkey(03.06.2013)

AKEL condemns the brutal repression of the demonstrators in Turkey by the police forcesof the country which according to international human rights organisations has led to thedeath of at least two people, at least 1,000 injured persons and to the arrest of as many peo-ple. The violent repression of the demonstrators, in conjunction with the imposition of awall of silence surrounding the events by the Turkish electronic mass media, represent fur-ther proof about the severe deficits in democracy and the protection of human rights andfreedoms in Turkey.

Without ignoring the positive steps that have been taken by the successive governmentsof the AKP party in the direction of the significant restriction of the role of the army andsolution of the Kurdish issue, nonetheless the Erdogan government is increasingly project-ing an even more autocratic and arrogant face. At the same time, the endorsement of re-forms promoting Islamism in Turkish society that are undermining the secular characterof the state, besides leading to the conservative orientation of society, is resulting in theviolation of human rights and freedoms. Turkey must proceed to further profound re-forms so that the level of democracy, human rights and the rule of law will be in line withInternational and European principles.

AKEL on the attack on the offices of the Communist Party of Turkey (03.06.2013)

AKEL condemns the brutal attack on the offices of the Communist Party of Turkey which hasbecome the target of the fierce repression by the Turkish authorities. The attack resulted in theinjury of several members and friends of the Party and the destruction of the offices of the Partyand the Cultural Centre "Nazim Hikmet."

AKEL salutes the stance of the Communist Party of Turkey which both on the issue of the installation of the NATO "Patriot"missile shield in Turkey, as well as on the occasion of the events before yesterday, has reacted through mass action and urgesthe Turkish government to release immediately all the detained demonstrators and end the attacks of violence and repression.

AKEL supports the solidarity meeting withthe Turkish people organised by the Cyprus Peace Council (06.06.2013)

The Turkish government is continuing the repression against the protesters who aredemanding democracy. Today a third protester has been murdered.

We call on the International Organizations not to tolerate any longer the state violencein Turkey. The Turkish government mustrelease and drop all charges against the pro-testers. It must remove all restrictions oncivil liberties and rights, and punish thoseguilty of crimes. Obviously the root causesof the uprising in Turkey are much widerthan that presented by both the Turkishand foreign media. It has to do with the re-pression of labour rights, but also with se-rious political developments ofinternational significance in Turkey itselfand the region where Turkey is involved.

Within this context AKEL expresses its support to the international solidaritymeeting organized by the Cyprus Peace Council on Friday, 7th June at the End ofLedra at 5:00 p.m. and urges the Cypriot people to participate en masse. This bi-communal event is a protest against the oppressive policy of the Turkish Govern-ment and will express its solidarity with the uprising of a large section of theTurkish people.

AKEL on the arrest of cadres of the Communist Party of Turkey-TKP(10.07.2013)

AKEL condemns the mass arrests of cadres and friends of the Communist Party ofTurkey by the Turkish authorities the day before yesterday. These arrests were madewithin the framework of the mass arrests of cadres and leaders of organizations, tradeunions and political parties. Furthermore, these arrests are nothing more than thecontinuation of a series of persecutions, arrests and prosecutions of demonstratorsby the Turkish authorities, in their attempt to violently repress the popular peacefuluprising in Turkey. In addition, the arrests of cadres of the Turkish Communist Partyare an attempt to wipe out the organized peaceful struggle the Party is waging withthousands of other protesters at the Gezi Park for a month now.

As AKEL, we join our voices with all those demanding the release of the politicalprisoners and the revocation of their arrest warrant.

Tel: 00357-22817346 | Fax: 00357-22589503 International Department: interbureau@akel.org.cy | Costas Christodoulides: cchristodoulides@cytanet.com.cy Elias Demetriou: edemetriou@akel.org.cy | Giorgos Koukoumas: giorgos.koukoumas@cytanet.com.cy

International Relations Department of C.C .of AKEL

1st of September 2013Peace and Reunification Meeting

extracts from the speech of Pambis Kyritsis,General Secretary of the Pancyprian Federation of Labour (PEO)

“We have once again gathered here at this Gathering of Peace andReunification, which the class oriented trade union movement inour country has now established and projected as a vigorous andmass popular mobilization. Together, tens of Greek Cypriot andTurkish Cypriot progressive organizations, political parties andmovements, are once again raising our voices for Peace in the worldand for Peace and the Reunification of our common homeland, ho-nouring in this way the International Day of Trade Union Ac-tion for Peace. On this day, we remember and honour the millionsof victims of the fascist brutality, the most terrible and destructivewar humanity has known.

Our region is perhaps the most troubled and volatıle region ın theworld. The drums of war in the eastern Mediterranean and MiddleEast are now beatıng relentlessly. The situation in Syria, due to theforeıgn interventions has already led the country into a bloody civilwar, with ıts people paying a heavy price in damage to property andloss of human lives. However, the greatest concern comes from themost blatant preparation by the hawks of the West for air strikesand military operations on the territory of Syria, with unpredictableand extremely dangerous consequences for peace and securitythroughout the whole region.

We deplore any idea of trying to resolve the problems Syria is facingthrough war and foreign interventions. We reject this imperialistapproach. We demand the respect of International Law, humanrights and especially of the independence and sovereignty of states.We support the peaceful resolution of the problem in Syria throughthe diplomatic and peaceful procedures of the United Nations. Weare against any indirect or direct intervention in the country.

Once again the war preparations of the British and the possibilityof using their military bases in Cyprus for adventures and geo-strategic games for dominance, stress the need for Greek Cypriotsand Turkish Cypriots, united, to continue and intensify thestruggle in order to abolish the military bases in Cyprus andensure the total liberation of our country from foreign armiesand bases.

We strongly condemn any attempt to involve Cyprus in mili-

tary opera-tions and im-p e r i a l i s tadventures,especially when these are directed against friendly peoplessuch as the people of Syria. We demand from the Governmentof Cyprus that it rises to the occasion and reacts decisively toany use of the British bases for military operations in Syria”.