On the occasion of the 50th dark anniversary of the double crime of the coup d’état and the Turkish invasion, the World Federation of Trade Unions expresses once again its unwavering solidarity for the struggle of the people and the working class of Cyprus towards the solution of the Cyprus problem and the liberation and reunification of the island.
The coup d’ état against the elected government under President Makarios on July 15, 1974, and the subsequent invasion of Turkey on July 20, was an unprecedented tragedy for the people of Cyprus, with hundreds of thousands of refugees, thousands of dead and missing, the continued occupation of 37% of the island and the division of the country and the people of Cyprus. Both NATO and the USA bear enormous responsibility for the situation created, since the tragedy at the expense of the Cypriot people was the result of their wider imperialist plans for the Eastern Mediterranean region.
At this critical juncture, the WFTU considers it necessary to emphasize that the effort to reverse the current dangerous and fragile status quo in Cyprus is of immense importance. An unsolved Cyprus problem does not provide any benefit for both communities which continue to suffer the division of their common homeland.
The WFTU underlines the need for a solution of the Cyprus problem within the framework of the United Nations, with respect to the principles of International Law and Human Rights; reaching a solution based on the UN resolutions regarding Cyprus which presuppose the creation of a bi-communal bi-zonal federal state with political equality of the two communities as set out in the relevant Decision of United Nations with single sovereignty, a single international personality and citizenship.
It must be a solution which provides for the withdrawal of all foreign troops, the ending of the division and the reunification of the island and serves first and foremost the interest of Cypriots themselves Greek and Turkish Cypriots. A peaceful, comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem will contribute positively to the demilitarisation, peace-building and prosperity for all the peoples of the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East region.
Moreover, the WFTU stands in support with the class and social struggles of the working people of Cyprus, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, against the attacks and in defense of their working rights, for peace, prosperity and for social justice.
The WFTU firmly and constantly stands on the side of the Cypriot people and welcomes the continuous struggles and joint efforts of its Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot affiliates to resolve the Cyprus problem and reunify the island, and reassure them that they can always rely on the internationalist solidarity of the world class-oriented trade union movement.
Pambis Kyritsis
WFTU General Secretary
wftucentral.org
