On this day 48 years ago, the Greek military junta, then ruling Greece, and its Greek Cypriot collaborators- EOKA-B-, toppled the democratically elected President of Cyprus, the late Archbishop Makarios III.
The people of Cyprus honour today all those who sacrificed their life to defend democracy during the coup d’etat on the 15th of July 1974.
The coup staged by the Athens` junta against the elected government of President Makarios served Turkey as a pretext to impose its divisive plans against Cyprus. On July 20, 1974, Turkey invaded Cyprus, violating all rules of international law, including the Charter of the United Nations.
The Civil Defence announced that the sirens will wail at 0820 on 15 July, the time when the tanks rolled into Nicosia to overthrow the democratically elected late President Makarios III.
President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades, accompanied by Defence Minister Charalampos Petrides, will attend the memorial service for all those who perished during the 15th July 1974 coup in Cyprus.
The service will take place at Saints Constantinos and Eleni Church at 0830 local time.
Memorial services took place in other towns as well on July 10 and members of the Cabinet represented the government and laid wreaths on behalf of the President. The service in Paralimni will take place July 17.
The coup staged by the Athens’ junta against the elected government of President Makarios on July 15, 1974, served Turkey as a pretext to impose its divisive plans against Cyprus. On July 20, 1974, Turkey invaded Cyprus, violating all rules of international law, including the Charter of the United Nations.
Political parties, municipalities and organisations will organize a number of events condemning the coup d`etat and the subsequent Turkish invasion.
The coup d’etat began under the slogan “Alexander has entered hospital”. In the morning of the 15th of July 1974 President Makarios was at the Presidential Palace meeting with Greek children from Egypt.
As the coup was unfolding and shootings began Makarios’ aides helped him escape, while protecting the children. The Presidential Palace, the Archbishopric and other places were attacked. The state radio (RIK) had to transmit the message that Makarios was dead, while Nicos Sampson was appointed as President.
But Makarios was not dead. Shortly after. he addressed the people of Cyprus from a local radio station in Pafos, saying: “The voice you hear is familiar. You know who it is. I am Makarios. I am the one you chose to be your leader. I am not dead, as the junta of Athens and its representatives here would have liked me to be. I am alive…. The junta coup failed. I was their target”.
The junta, Makarios said wants to divide Cyprus and called on the people not to obey its orders and to resist.
The attack on the Presidential Palace was not the only one. More attacks were carried out in cities and many villages of Cyprus to suppress the resistance. Blood was shed with dozens dead and hundreds injured. Blood, which was to be shed with even more tragic consequences only a few days later when Turkish troops invaded the island and since then occupy 37% of Cyprus’ territory in violation of international law.
Today, we honour the heroes of the resistance, all those who lost their lives to defend democracy and the state during the coup.
Source: Cyprus News Agency