The
first founding meeting of the “Movement for an Independent and Federal Cyprus”
took place in Ledra Palace Hotel in Nicosia on 23 and 24 September 1989 with
the participation of 25 T/Cs and 36 G/Cs. The participants discussed the ways
of rapprochement and more contacts between the two communities in Cyprus. The joint press release of the meeting
was published both in the T/C and G/C press and the meeting was flash news at
the CyBC-TV.
The Second Meeting of the Movement took
place on 20-21 January 1990, where
the participants approved the following basic views and principles, which were
later published, in Greek, Turkish and English
languages as a leaflet.
MOVEMENT
FOR AN INDEPENDENT AND FEDERAL CYPRUS
Views
and Basic Principles
1.We
are concerned about our future
Every Cypriot
citizen in our times is deeply concerned about the future of his country.
We have all lived
through the tragic moments of our history – the armed and bloody conflicts, the
forced displacement of people, the immeasurable human suffering, the partition
of our country.
For years now we
all have experienced the consequences of this violent separation – the
uprooting, the uncertainty, the lack of contact and communication between
Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot citizens.
The separate
existence of the two communities and the separate organization of daily life
leads them to consider the absence of each other as the norm. The new
generation is raised with an image which presents the other community as the
enemy – magnifying the crimes of the other side while minimizing the crimes of
its own.
2. We
acknowledge our share of common responsibilities
We believe that
every Cypriot citizen fully comprehends that the root of our problem and
suffering are quite complex. Undoubtedly, foreign interests and intervention
share a substantial part of the blame.
We believe,
however, that every sincere Cypriot also acknowledges a collective blame and
responsibility. For it is the internal contradictions and weaknesses of our
society that have made outside intervention possible.
The lack of common
objectives, the antagonism between Turkish and Greek Cypriots – instead of a
common, liberation struggle against colonial rule, undermined the prospect of a
free and democratic common future.
The outcome of all
this was a Constitution that was imposed on us and a “crippled” independence,
where divisions, antagonism and suspicion among Greek and Turkish Cypriots were
institutionalised. The final blow came from the persistence of separatist
ideologies (Enosis and Partition) even after the establishment of the fragile
Independence.
3. We
must condemn both the violence and the separatist ideologies of the past.
All Cypriot
citizens would agree that foreign meddling in our affairs should be put to an end
and that we ourselves should be those to decide our own fate, our own future.
But this alone is
not sufficient. In order to be able to proceed together towards a common future,
with shared goals, we must begin by acknowledging and condemning whatever
separated us in the past.
It is high time
that each community acknowledges and irrevocably condemns the violence it used
against the other in the past. For the ordinary citizen, the victim of violence
whichever direction it came from, this violence was equally painful and caused
the same grief.
It is high time each
community recognized the consequences of its own separatist ideology and
condemned it thereof. What is called for today is not an ideology that
separates people, but one that can unite them together, that could form the
basis of a common struggle.
This is the only
way through which we can “cleanse” ourselves from our bloody and violent past –
so that henceforth we may sincerely join forces together bringing about
reconciliation and shaping a shared and peaceful future.
4. Federation
– our common future
The continuation
of separation and antagonism does not promote our own common interests, but
only serves the enemies of the independence of Cyprus.
The
struggle for a common future, in a united country, is not a matter of
sentimentalism or utopia – but a basic, imperative, historical and political
need, a sheer matter of survival.
In
a common country the survival of Greek and Turkish Cypriots crucially depends
on the survival of the Turkish Cypriots, and vice-versa.
All
Cypriot citizens have a right to live in a federated and united Cyprus, under
conditions of freedom, democracy and security.
A federal solution
is, under the present circumstances, the only guarantee for the independence of
Cyprus. It should not be looked upon simply as a solution of necessity; it is
at the same time our only hope for a just and peaceful common future.
A federal solution has the potential
of transcending our past history of violent conflict, which built the walls of
separation between Greek and Turkish Cypriots.
The pursuit of a
federal solution constitutes a common goal, a path towards a common future. A
future, which will secure some measure of autonomy for each community, whilst
also ensuring a unified character for the Cyprus Republic, preventing permanent
separation and estrangement.
The future
federation, for which we must strive, should be based on the principles of
justice and viability. It should establish the right of every Cypriot to live
in a democratic system, irrespective of race, ethnic identity, religion, sex or
colour, under conditions of security and equal opportunities for development.
Federation is not
a magic formula which will be introduced by outside forces, and which will
automatically solve all of our problems. No one system or constitution can by
itself secure our future. The most important is the good will of the people.
Federation should be regarded as the expression of our collective determination
for a joint struggle/effort by all Cypriots.
5. The
mobilization of citizens is an imperative need
The dangers from
the continuing impasse of the Cyprus problem are only too obvious. The reappearance
of mistrust and chauvinism, as well as thoughtless pseudo-patriotism on either
side, are the consequences of the present stalemate.
Real
and constructive patriotism nowadays means resistance to mistrust, fanaticism
and chauvinism.
Every
Cypriot should stand against the reactionary forces in both communities which
are attempting to undermine the effort for a common future – expressed, in our
days, in the pursuit of a federal solution. It is only with the active
participation of the people of Cyprus that independence, democracy and a common
peaceful future can be achieved.
The
mobilization of ordinary citizens and the dialogue between Greek and Turkish
Cypriots should become a conscious political choice and action, a matter to be
undertaken independently – of and beyond any formal and official procedures.
It
is nowadays imperative to cross over from passive awaiting to active political
participation in the struggle of shaping our common future.
For
a detailed account of the activities of the Movement please read:
