The struggle to unite Cyprus

Here is a press release from the Cyprus Federation of U.K (Should read July 2009)

THE STRUGGLE FOR A UNITED CYPRUS CONTINUES – SHOW YOUR SUPPORT, STAND UP, BE HEARD

The President of the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK, Peter Droussiotis, today urged all UK Cypriots and friends of Cyprus to show their support for a reunited Cyprus and their opposition to Turkey’s continuing military occupation of the northern part of Cyprus, by joining the UK Cypriot community’s annual ‘Rally for Cyprus’ in London on Sunday 19th July 2008.
The rally, organised each year by the Federation in order to mark and condemn the invasion of the northern part of Cyprus by the Turkish army in July 1974, is the biggest opportunity for the UK Cypriot community and its supporters to call for the termination of Turkey’s continuing military occupation and to highlight the injustices which continue to be suffered by the Cypriot people as a result of that occupation.
Mr. Droussiotis emphasised the importance of making the rally successful again this year:
“It is now more important than ever that we demonstrate our opposition to the illegal Turkish military occupation of Cyprus’s northern part, as well as our support for the ongoing negotiations between the leaders of the two communities on the island, which aim at a comprehensive and equitable settlement that will serve the interests of both communities.
“The dialogue between the two leaders is encouraging and has brought us closer to a solution that will restore Cyprus to unity, but a settlement cannot be achieved unless the Turkish Government changes its stance. For too long, Turkey has stood in the way of justice and has adopted positions which are inconsistent with a free, truly reunited and independent Cyprus.
“The United Kingdom, a close ally of Turkey, with historic responsibilities to Cyprus, needs to use its influence over Turkey proactively, so that the latter takes the practical steps necessary to help bring about the true unity of the island: a federal state with a single sovereignty, international personality and a single citizenship which are the agreed principles guiding the ongoing negotiations. This clear message must be heard in the British capital and that message starts with us, the Cypriot community in the UK.”
The rally will begin with picketing outside the Turkish Embassy in Belgrave Square at 2.45pm on Sunday 29 July 2009 and will continue with a march through central London which will lead to Trafalgar Square where the main event will take place at approximately 4.15pm. The main speaker at the Rally will be Mr Neoklis Sylikiotis, Cyprus Minister of the Interior, who will be in London especially for this event. Other speakers will include British Parliamentarians from all three of the main UK political parties.
Before the rally in Trafalgar Square, Mr Droussiotis will lead a Federation delegation which will hand deliver petitions to the Turkish Ambassador in the UK and to Prime Minister Gordon Brown at 10 Downing Street.
ENDS

For more information, please call Tony Sophoclides on 07887 935 335.
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Notes to editors

- Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish military forces invaded the northern part of the island and thereafter occupied approximately 38% of its territory.
- The National Federation of Cypriots in the United Kingdom was founded shortly after the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974 and has since represented the largest community of Cypriots outside of the island itself.
- The Federation is an umbrella organisation of the Cypriot community associations across the UK and seeks to coordinate the activities of more than 300,000 Britons of Cypriot origin.