Message of Mr Philip Christopher, President of PSEKA,
on the 38th year of the invasion and occupation of Cyprus
Since the invasion of the Republic of Cyprus by Turkey in 1974, Cyprus and the Cypriot people have battled for justice and human rights. The people of Cyprus, whether living in Cyprus or abroad, have acted as warriors and champion of our small and beloved island.
Since 1974, the international community has repeatedly condemned the illegal military occupation of the Republic of Cyprus by Turkey. Seventy-five resolutions have been passed by the United Nations Security Council calling for Turkey to withdraw its troops. Yet Turkey not only continues its occupation, but under Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan, aims to turn Cyprus, the first Christian state, into an Islamic state. Therefore thirty-eight years later, we are continuing our battle for justice and freedom.
We have accomplished a lot as a nation in these last 38 years, although our primary objective is still unresolved. We salute the President of the Republic of Cyprus Mr. Demetris Christofias and the people for Cyprus for becoming a member state of the European Union, and for taking over the Presidency of the European Union. This is an incredible accomplishment and we are proud! The remains of many of our missing were identified, and their families can finally lay them to rest. We hope every single missing person is returned home and their loved ones can find peace.
I urge everyone to become more involved; it is easier today than ever to make a difference using social media. Please encourage your local representative to support H.Res. 676, whose purpose is: To expose and halt the Republic of Turkey’s illegal colonization of the Republic of Cyprus with non-Cypriot populations, to support Cyprus in its efforts to control all of its territory, to end Turkey’s illegal occupation of northern Cyprus, and to exploit its energy resources without illegal interference by Turkey.
Please visit http://action.hellenicleaders.com/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=7917
to send a letter urging support of H. Res 676 to your local representative. We urge you to do so through this link, (the website of the Hellenic American Leadership Council), so that they can monitor the statistics of how many letters when to which member of Congress and Senate.
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. Once again, today it is easier than ever to stay involved.
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.
