During my recent ten day visit to Cyprus, I had the opportunity to go to the northern part of my island country, currently under Turkish occupation. Through Agios Dometios, we passed the outskirts of Kerinia and through Mesaoria, we reached the newly built part of Famacousta. Then through Bogazi, we travelled all the way to Apostolos Andrea’s monastery.
Although the places were familiar, I could not tell them apart because their names are now in Turkish.
With my time, I managed to pay my respects and light a candle in Apostolos Andrea’s monastery and stay for a while, wandering and observing the playful waves of the sea.
I thought to myself, “What a pleasant and peaceful place this is.” What else stirred inside me must remain a secret.
I have to admit that wherever we stoped in the northern part, our Turkish compatriots were nothing less but friendly. As I have been saying, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots were and still are one big family. Thousands travel every day to the south to work and hundreds to the north for pleasure. So, whatever has happened, it’s politics that has left the two ‘families’ struggling for 37 years. My opinion is that if it was up to the people, we would have found a solution by now. But that is wishful thinking.
The issue is highly political. The recognised bodies handling the matter in Australia are PASEKA – World Justice for Cyprus Coordinating Committee, SEKA – State Coordinating Committee for Justice of Cyprus, together with the Federation of Cypriot Communities of Australia and New Zealand. I was much surprised and angry to read about attempts of Mr A and B, talking and acting on our behalf and asking the Australian Government to change it’s decision and somehow allow the former Turkish Cypriot leader Mr Talat to visit Australia with his current passport.
I strongly believe that we should all congratulate the Foreign Ministry of the Australian Government for declining Mr Talat’s visa to visit Australia, which is an act in accordance with the international law and the United Nations resolutions.
I also congratulate the president of PASEKA and SEKA Victoria, Mr. Constantinos Prokopiou, for his enormous effort and time spent, keeping the issue alive.
During these crucial moments our holy land is undergoing, and with dialogue for negotiations between the president of Cyprus Mr. Dimitri Christofias and the Turkish leader Mr. Dervis Eroglu, we should all be united. We need to try to forget and hope for the reunification of our beloved country. I salute the Australian Government’s decision and ask my compatriots to support PASEKA and SEKA Victoria.