MESSAGE OF MR. PHILIP CHRISTOPHER, PRESIDENT OF PSEKA ON THE 35TH YEAR OF THE INVASION AND OCCUPATION OF CYPRUS

Hellenic News of America
newsid=10470&lang=US
July 17 2009

Another year has passed and we are nearing the 35th Year of
the invasion and occupation of Cyprus. It is once again time
for us to reflect our strengths and weaknesses, achievements and
disappointments. We call on people to attend the Memorial Service at
St. Demetrios in Astoria and CYPRUS…..35 YEARS LATER, a cultural
event at the Hellenic Cultural Center (information listed below). A
Congressional Commemoration of the Cyprus Invasion and Occupation will
also be held on Capitol Hill on July 21st & 22nd. Hellenic Communities
around the world are commemorating this tragic date in various ways.

The world has changed since 1974. The Republic of Cyprus is now a
member of the European Union. Cyprus today, is not the Cyprus of
1974. Today The Republic of Cyprus is a cosmopolitan nation. The
Speaker of the Parliament is of Armenian descent. There is a Russian
community of 20,000, a thriving Armenian and Maronite Community, and
a significant East Asian community as well. Cyprus today is bridge
of Europe to the Middle East, with a strong economy, that guarantees
all rights to all citizens.

We urge everyone to remember that the Cyprus problem is not a
bi-communal problem, it is a problem of invasion and continued
occupation. The solution of the Cyprus tragedy lies squarely with
the Turkish generals and the Turkish government. A solution cannot
be achieved without the removal of all Turkish troops and settlers,
and the return of all Cypriot citizens to their ancestral homes.

Let�s all take some time on Sunday to remember the tragic events of
July 20, 1974. To spend a few minutes in recognition of those who gave
their lives, of the missing, of the refugees, and of the enclaved. Our
children and grandchildren have grown up never seeing their family
homes. The overseas Cypriots have waged their own war against the
Turkish occupation, and we have struggled against sometimes seemingly
insurmountable forces.

Although through the years we have not been frightened off by the
success of the affluent Turkish lobby or the general indifference of
the international community, many of us have been overtaken by the
feeling of complacency. I encourage everyone to continue the fight
for justice for the Cypriot people. Some things are clearly inherently
right or wrong. And right is on the side of freedom for Cyprus!

We urge everyone to stay strong and focused on battling this great
ongoing injustice, and assure you that we will not stop, we will not
rest, until we see the removal of Turkish troops, the removal of the
illegal settlers, and return of all refugees to their homes.

We urge all individuals, to express their frustration in the way they
feel appropriate. Whether it�s writing letters to their Member of
the Senate and Congress, writing editorials, or demonstrating their
frustration outside of the Turkish embassy hosting cultural events –
everything counts, everything matters, as long as we work legally
and cohesively, as long as our efforts are united and work toward a
common strategy.

I am very happy to see the younger generation of Cypriot and Greek
Americans active in the cause for justice for Cyprus. Our younger
people may not have seen first hand the pain and violence of the war,
but their hearts and souls are tied to Cyprus and the cause of justice
and human rights.

I remind everyone that we have promises to keep and miles to go
before we sleep. We have made promises to our children, our parents
and grandparents to see a united, free Republic of Cyprus.

Memorial service for the victims of the Turkish invasion Memorial
for the late Archbishop Makarios Sunday July 19th 9:30 am Church of
Saint Catherine â~@¢ 22-30 33rd Street, Astoria

* * * * *

CYPRUS: 35 YEARS LATER

A cultural event commemorating the 35th year of the Turkish invasion

Antonis Tsimounis: voice, bouzouki Mavrothis Kontanis: voice, oud,
baglama Glafkos Kontemeniotis: Keyboards Theodora P. Loukas: Poetry
reading Andreas Tselepos: Reading of personal memoirs Program director:
Polys Kyriacou

MONDAY, JULY 20th 2009 – 7:30 PM

Hellenic Cultural Center of Greek Archdiocese Corner of Newtown &
Crescent in Astoria

FREE ENTRANCE

For information: COA: 201.444.8237 â~@¢ PSEKA: 718.545.7202

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress