President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades condemned today “the conduct of senseless persons against Turkish Cypriots”.
In a written statement, the President says “I consider as an unacceptable condemnation the conduct of senseless persons against Turkish compatriots of ours, persons who provide the worst service to the effort that has been made to find a peaceful resolution to the Cyprus problem”.
“The only thing that similar, totally unacceptable conduct strengthens is the distrust between the two communities about the possibility of peaceful coexistence”, he notes.
He warns that “beyond this, however, it provides arguments to those who invoke the need for the existence of guarantees and guarantor powers”.
The President strongly emphasizes that “the state will not tolerate similar conduct from isolated persons or minor groups that, by invoking pseudo-patriotism, have the final partition of our homeland as their goal”.
“I express to my Turkish Cypriot compatriots my deep sadness for all the unacceptable things that took place today, which in no way reflect the feelings of the overwhelming majority of Greek Cypriots about peaceful coexistence and hopeful prospects for the future, within the framework of a reunited Cyprus”, he concludes.
Police Deputy Spokeswoman Nikoletta Tirimou told CNA that during today’s demonstrations by pupils to condemn the anniversary of the illegal declaration of the so-called ‘state’ in the northern Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus, three non-organized groups of pupils attacked cars of Turkish Cypriots during three different incidents.
She said that two persons were injured during the attacks.
On 15 November 1983, the illegal Turkish Cypriot regime, backed by Turkey whose troops occupy Cyprus’ northern region since they invaded in 1974, announced a “unilateral declaration of independence”.
The Turkish Cypriot regime has not been recognized by any other state than Turkey, which exercises effective control over Cyprus’ occupied areas.
UN Security Council resolutions 541 (1983) and 550 (1984) categorically condemned this unilateral action, declaring it legally invalid and called for its withdrawal, asking that all UN member-states not to recognize this illegal entity. The EU and other international and regional organizations have adopted similar positions.
UN led talks resumed in May this year with a view to reunify the island under a federal political system.
Source: CNA)
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