The only route to lasting peace on ethnically divided Cyprus is through the international community’s acceptance of two separate states on the east Mediterranean island nation, Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said Monday.
Erdogan said that a “permanent and sustainable solution” to the country’s division “can only be possible” by taking into account that there are “two separate states and two separate people.”
“The international community will sooner or later accept this reality,” Erdogan told Turkish Cypriot lawmakers in Cyprus’ breakaway north before celebrations to mark the 47th anniversary of a Turkish invasion that split the island along ethnic lines.
Erdogan giving his speech during a visit to occupied Cyprus.
Turkey’s 1974 invasion came in the wake of a Greek junta-backed coup that aimed at union with Greece. Only Turkey recognises a Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence and keeps 35,000 troops there.
In a 1983 resolution, the U.N. Security Council denounced the Turkish Cypriots’ secessionist move as legally invalid and called for its withdrawal. The European Union has also ruled out a two-state deal.
European Commission President, Ursula Von der Leyen, said in Nicosia earlier this month that the 27 member-bloc which Cyprus joined in 2004 would “never, ever” accept such an arrangement.
But Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots say a two-state deal is the only way to peace because nearly five decades of negotiations based on forging a federation have led nowhere. They fault Greek Cypriots’ unwillingness to “accept the realities” and see Turkish Cypriots as “equal partners.”
Cyprus’ internationally recognised government seated in the island’s Greek Cypriot south says there can be no deviation from a 1977 deal to reach a formal peace accord by negotiating a federation made up of a Turkish Cypriot and a Greek Cypriot zone.
But the majority Greek Cypriots object to Turkey’s demand for a permanent military presence on the island amid fears that it would turn the island into Ankara’s “protectorate.” They also push back against a Turkish Cypriot demand for veto rights, fearing Ankara’s meddling in Cypriot internal affairs.
Erdogan unveils plans for Turkish Cypriot ‘government’ complex:
During the same speech, Erdogan also promised Turkish Cypriots that Turkey would build a new government complex to symbolise the Turkish-occupied “state” of northern Cyprus, which he said the world would “sooner or later” recognise despite near universal opposition for now.
“The project work on the TRNC presidential complex has been completed and we will start construction soon, God willing,” Erdogan said, adding that the complex would include a new parliament.
“This is the expression of being a state. By realising this project some people must see what sort of a Northern Cyprus state there is.”
With New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia in the grips of separate COVID outbreaks, there’s sure to be a bit to watch today. Here’s all the latest information we know so far from those states.
Victoria:
Victoria’s lockdown has been extended by seven days as health authorities battle an outbreak of the Delta strain of COVID-19.
Of the new cases, 12 have been linked to the current outbreaks and one is under investigation.
There were 49,454 test results received yesterday, and 17,083 vaccine doses were administered at state-run sites.
The lockdown was initially scheduled to end at midnight Tuesday, but Premier Daniel Andrews announced this morning it would continue until midnight on July 27.
“We need to avoid what is going on in Sydney at the moment, and we are determined to do that,” he said.
“The speed with which this has moved through the Victorian community confirms that we did the right thing to lock down, and it also sadly confirms that we need more time.”
South Australia:
South Australia will go into lockdown from 6:00pm tonight, after health authorities confirmed the state’s outbreak is the Delta strain. The lockdown will last for seven days.
They have so far identified five cases linked to the current cluster.
The fifth case was identified in a diner who went to The Greek on Halifax restaurant on Saturday night at the same time as a contact of the original case — a man who came back from Argentina earlier this month.
“We hate putting these restrictions in place but we believe we have one chance to get this right,” Mr Marshall said.
A fourth case was announced earlier this morning, but Mr Marshall said the fifth case — not from among the original family — was “far more worrying.”
“We have no alternative but to impose some fairly heavy and immediate restrictions to come in — at 6:00pm tonight South Australia moves into lockdown,” the Premier said.
From 6:00pm, the only reasons to leave home will be to care for someone, for essential work, to purchase essential goods such as food, exercise with people from the same household and healthcare — including COVID testing and vaccination.
Support for businesses is expected to be announced tomorrow.
SA will enter a lockdown from 6pm tonight.
Schools will be closed from tomorrow with a 24-hour transition period in place for teachers to arrange at-home learning.
Among the exposure sites is also Gaganis Bros in Hindmarsh from 1:00pm–2:30pm on Friday, July 16.
Late on Monday, Gaganis Bros announced on their Facebook page that they will be “closed until further notice” and they are “working closely with SA Health” to be able to reopen as soon as possible.
New South Wales:
NSW recorded 78 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8:00pm yesterday. 21 of those cases were infectious while in the community.
Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, said the number would have been “much higher if people weren’t doing the right thing.”
The Premier praised the south-west Sydney local government areas (LGA) of Fairfield, Liverpool and Canterbury-Bankstown — which are under enhanced lockdown orders — for their high rates of testing.
NSW recorded 78 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 today.
Chief health officer, Kerry Chant, said however, there was an emerging risk in the Canterbury-Bankstown region and asked residents there to minimise their contact with others.
“That covers Belmore, Lakemba, Punchbowl and Yagoona,” Dr Chant said.
“My reason is, that there are a number of cases there, and there are also a number of exposure sites in that area.”
Dr Chant said contact tracers were also finding unlinked cases all across Greater Sydney and were of “significant concern.”
The areas singled out by Dr Chant were Hurstville, Kogarah, Merrylands, Greystanes, Auburn, Rooty Hill and Georgetown.
More than 63,000 tests were conducted in the reporting period.
NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, has called for justice for Cyprus on the 47th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of the island.
In a statement, Ms Berejiklian extended her support to the Australian Cypriot and Hellenic communities as they commemorate the invasion today.
The Premier also acknowledged the contribution made by the Cypriot community to Australian society, stressing how Cypriot migrants “have worked hard over five generations to keep their culture and language alive in Australia.”
Greece is in mourning today after popular Greek folk singer, songwriter and actor, Tolis Voskopoulos, passed away on Monday at the age of 80.
Voskopoulos died in an Athens hospital of cardiac arrest, a few days shy of his 81st birthday and several weeks after being hospitalised with respiratory problems, Greek media reported.
The first person to release a statement was Greek Culture Minister, Lina Mendoni, who wrote: “Tolis Voskopoulos was fortunate to be appreciated by his colleagues and adored by the public.”
“He was a true popular idol, a talented, intelligent performer who created a different, particular kind of entertainment on the stage,” Mendoni continued.
Ο Τόλης Βοσκόπουλος σφράγισε με τον δικό του αυθεντικό τρόπο τη λαϊκή μας μουσική. Έζησε όπως τραγούδησε, τραγούδησε όπως έζησε και με τον ίδιο τρόπο έφυγε: "ανεπανάληπτος", όπως θα λένε για πάντα οι μελωδικοί του στίχοι. Η σκέψη μας, στην οικογένειά του.
— Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) July 19, 2021
For his part, Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, also mourned the loss of the folk singer on Twitter.
He “lived as he sang, sang as he lived and in the same way he left: ‘unrepeatable,’ as his melodic lyrics will say forever,” Mitsotakis wrote, using the title of one of Voskopoulos’ songs.
The Greek public and of course, a number of Greek singers who looked up to Voskopoulos also expressed their sadness at his passing, including Anna Vissi, Konstantinos Argyros and George Dalaras.
Voskopoulos is being mourned in Greece today.
“He was the last of his generation! A man with a special temperament in his personal and artistic life,” Dalaras said on Facebook.
His wife, Angela Gerekou, who is a former minister and current head of the Greek Tourist Organisation, wrote simply on Facebook, “Thank You,” to show her appreciation to everyone for their support as she and their daughter, Maria Voskopoulou, grieve.
Who was Tolis Voskopoulos?
Born in Greece’s main port city of Piraeus on July 26, 1940, to parents who were refugees from Asia Minor, Voskopoulos was the youngest of 12 children and the only boy.
He began his career as an actor, first appearing on stage at the age of 18 in 1953, and made his film debut a few years later in 1963.
His first major musical success was considered to be the 1968 song “Agonia,” composed by Giorgos Zambetas, which sold more than 300,000 copies, a record-breaking figure for Greek music at the time.
He continued producing major hits over the following decades, and became known as “prince” to his legions of fans. His last stage performance was in February 2020, when he sang alongside his daughter Maria to celebrate 60 years of his career.
The Turkish invasion of Cyprus, codenamed ‘Attila’, began at dawn on July 20, 1974. A day that changed Cyprus forever and will be ingrained in the brain of every Cypriot for hundreds of years.
Approximately 4,000 people were killed during the invasion and 1,619 were reported missing. As many as 200,000 Cypriots were forcefully driven away from their homes and became refugees in their own homeland.
A total of about 40,000 men took part under the command of Lieutenant General Nurettin Ersin. With the Greek side caught asleep, their reaction was delayed, resulting in what Turkey labelled as a “peaceful intervention,” aimed at restoring constitutional order in Cyprus.
Greek Cypriot prisoners taken to Adana camps in Turkey following the aftermath of the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus.
The battle last for two days. On the dawn of July 20, Turkish landing craft reached the Pente Mili area, followed by swarms of attacks by Turkish planes. With Greek forces left outnumbered and unprepared, Cypriot inhabitants were at the mercy of the invaders. Unarmed civilians were killed, women were raped and captured soldiers were executed.
The units of the National Guard and the ELDYK, when mobilised, began to fight with heroic self-sacrifice. They utilised around 12,000 men (Greek Cypriots and Greeks), under the command of Brigadier General Michael Georgitsis, who was the general in command in the coup against Makarios.
Late at night on July 20, the UN Security Council issued Resolution 353, calling for a ceasefire and the withdrawal of ‘foreign troops’ from Cyprus. Despite its unanimous approval, it was completely ignored by Turkey. The next day, July 21, the fighting in Cyprus continued with great intensity.
The first Turkish invasion of Cyprus.
On the same day, Cisco planned to arrange a ceasefire between the two countries. Upon entering Athens, he was unable to find anyone in Athens to negotiate with, as all those in charge had disappeared. The commander of the Navy, Admiral Petros Arapakis, finally took responsibility, who in a telephone communication with Kissinger agrees that the armistice will take effect from 4 pm on July 22.
At 4 o’clock in the afternoon the next day, July 22, a truce was agreed, yet it will be violated several times by the invaders. After the first invasion, Turkey controlled 3% of Cypriot territory, and would soon go on to capture approximately 37% of the island during the second invasion in August 1974.
Today, more than 43,000 armed soldiers from Turkey remain in the occupied areas of the island. More than 800 persons, civilians and soldiers, are still missing, while the Turkish side refuses to cooperate fully in ascertaining their fate.
About 400 Greek Cypriots and Maronites, out of 20,000 at the end of August 1974, remain enclaved in their still-occupied villages, living under conditions of oppression and deprivation.
A handout photograph dated 20 July 1974 and made available by the Greek Cypriot Press and Information Office, showing Turkish troops during the 20 July 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus. Source: EPA / Cypriot Press Office.
Solution for Cyprus?
A series of UN General Assembly and Security Council resolutions, as well as resolutions adopted by numerous other international organisations, reflect the universal condemnation of Turkey’s invasion and all subsequent acts of aggression against the Republic of Cyprus. The resolutions demand, inter alia, the withdrawal of foreign troops, the return of refugees to their homes in safety and the ascertainment of the fate of missing persons. Moreover, they call for the respect of the human rights of all Cypriots as well as for respect to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cyprus.
People are unhappy with the “two-state” solution proposed by Erdogan.
In its Judgment on the 4th Interstate Application of Cyprus v. Turkey on May 10th, 2001, the European Court of Human Rights found Turkey guilty of continuous violations of human rights in Cyprus.
The said Judgment was reinforced by the Judgment of the European Court of Human Rights of May 12th, 2014, whereby the Court held that Turkey was to pay Cyprus €30 million in respect of the non-pecuniary damage suffered by the relatives of the missing persons, and €60 million in respect of the non-pecuniary damage suffered by the enclaved Greek-Cypriots residents of the Karpas peninsula.
Video created by the Pan-Australian Justice for Cyprus Coordinating Committee.
A new round of negotiations, aiming at a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, was initiated in September 2013. As all previous ones, it had been conducted under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General’s Good Offices Mission. On 11 February 2014, the leaders of the two communities adopted a joint declaration which, inter alia, reaffirmed the basis of a settlement, namely a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation with political equality, as set out in the relevant Security Council Resolutions and the High Level Agreements. It also reaffirmed that any settlement should ensure the common future of all Cypriots within the EU.
From May 2015 to June 2017, negotiations proceeded intensively and significant progress was reached on an important number of issues. Regrettably, the International Conference on Cyprus, which was mainly focused on security and guarantees post-settlement, at Crans Montana, Switzerland (28 June – 07 July 2017), concluded without result, due to Turkey’s insistence on maintaining the right to unilaterally intervene in Cyprus, retaining an anachronistic system of guarantees and permanently maintaining troops on Cyprus after the settlement.
People calling for reunification.
Τhe recent Informal Geneva Conference, which convened on 27-29 April 2021, aimed at exploring the possibility of finding common ground for the resumption of substantive talks with a view to finding a solution within the framework of the UN Security Council resolutions, the High Level agreements and occasional convergences between the two sides.
However, Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership, in defiance of the UN Charter and UN resolutions, demanded that any negotiation should focus on the recognition of sovereign rights for the Turkish Cypriot community and reaching a solution based on the recognition of two states. A claim that is not only against international law and the terms of the Secretary General’s mandate, but also clearly contrary to the will of the Cypriot people.
South Australia will introduce widespread restrictions but has stopped short of a full lockdown, after a traveller and two close contacts tested positive for COVID-19.
The daughter of an 81-year-old man who returned from overseas via New South Wales has now tested positive, while a man in his 50s who is also a close contact was later confirmed to have been diagnosed.
“Two close contacts have tested positive late this afternoon, a man and a woman both in their 50s,” SA Health said.
The SA government has announced level 4 internal restrictions from midnight tonight in response to the spread of the virus.
They include a ban on indoor dining, the closure of non-essential retail, the closure of gyms and indoor fitness facilities, the cancellation of contact sport and the closure of personal care services.
Mask-wearing will be mandatory in high-risk settings. Photo: ABC News / Michael Clements.
Density requirements at indoor venues will be reduced to one person per four square metres, dining will be outdoor only and private gatherings will be capped at 10 people.
Masks will be required for high-risk settings, public transport and shared indoor spaces.
Events with COVID management plans will also be cancelled, which includes major sports events, art events and festivals.
“This is not a lockdown, but it is clearly significant restrictions on public activities within our community,” SA Police Commissioner, Grant Stevens, said.
The measures come after an 81-year-old man tested positive in the early hours of Monday morning.
The 81-year-old man tested positive in the early hours of Monday morning.
His daughter initially tested negative but had since returned a “weak positive,” health authorities said.
Premier Steven Marshall said it was unclear whether the man contracted the virus in hotel quarantine or in hospital.
“Everyone who has come into contact with this 81-year-old gentleman will now need to go into 14 days of strict quarantine — directed quarantine — so we can contain this as quickly as possible,” Mr Marshall said.
Exposure site list grows:
More than a dozen “primary close contacts” have been identified, several of whom have so far tested negative including the man’s grandson, who is a teacher at Elizabeth Vale School.
The Elizabeth Vale School in Adelaide’s northern suburbs was closed while authorities ensured the man’s grandson had not attended during school holidays, but that school will reopen tomorrow.
An advice message at the Elizabeth Vale School to parents warning of potential coronavirus exposure. Photo: ABC News / Brant Cumming.
SA Health has identified a list of exposure sites in locations including Golden Grove and Modbury, but Professor Spurrier said that list had now grown.
“At the last count there were somewhere between 10 and 15 exposure sites,” Professor Spurrier said.
Among the list is Gaganis Bros in Hindmarsh from 1:00pm–2:30pm on Friday, July 16, and The Greek on Halifax in Adelaide on Saturday, July 17 from 6.00pm to 10.00pm.
Late this afternoon, Gaganis Bros announced on their Facebook page that they will be “closed until further notice” and they are “working closely with SA Health” to be able to reopen as soon as possible.
Legendary Greek singer Tolis Voskopoulos has passed away aged 81, after suffering a heart attack, Greek media report.
Apostolos (Tolis) Voskopoulos (Greek: Τόλης Βοσκόπουλος) born on 26 July 1940, in Kokkinia, Piraeus was one of the legends of modern Greek music. He also starred in many films and played in the Theatre in Athens.
One of Voskopoulos’ greatest theatrical hits was Oi Erastes tou Oneirou (Dream Lovers), which he performed opposite Zoe Laskari.
Voskopoulos was married to Greek politician Antzela Gerekou.
Muscle Nation co-owners Chris Anastasi, 37, and Nathaniel Anthony, 31, have landed a huge deal with Coles with the supermarket giant now selling their Custard filled Protein Bar.
Chris and Nathaniel started Muscle Nation about five years ago from a spare room in Nathaniel’s grandma’s house and now it’s grown into a multimillion dollar empire selling activewear, supplements and health food.
They told news.com.au their latest deal with Coles to sell their protein bar exclusively is “amazing.”
While most protein bars have a stigma of tasting dry, chewy and “proteiny,” Chris told news.com.au the ingredients they use, which includes their signature custard powder, gives their product a “dessert” taste while also maintaining the health benefits of a protein bar.
And after just three weeks of hitting shelves, the bars have already sold out with the boys having to boost production to keep up with demand.
“Chris and I have spent the past five years focused on building our community and business online, so to see our brand on the shelf next to well established, Australian and international brands is a great thrill,” Nathaniel told the media outlet.
Muscle Nation have launched their signature Custard casein protein powder and the new Custard plant based protein as part of the national Coles rollout. Source: news.com.au.
As part of the Coles launch, Muscle Nation are partnering with charity ‘Do Good Movement’ to donate a percentage of sales to mental health charities with a goal of raising $50,000 in the next 12 months.
The brand is also affiliated with eight other charities including Breast Cancer Awareness and Hoodies for Homeless.
The boys’ protein bars are available in four flavours including Cookies & Cream, Caramel Toffee, Choc Vanilla and Choc Mint, for $4 each — and they also launched their signature Custard casein protein powder and the new Custard plant based protein as part of the national Coles rollout.
The Pan-Australian Justice for Cyprus Coordinating Committee (PASEKA) has issued a special message today to commemorate the 47th anniversary of Turkey’s illegal invasion and ongoing occupation of the northern third of Cyprus.
In the message, they have asked ask the Australian Government and the people of Australia “to continue their support for the territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus” and “to reject Turkish aggression in the region.”
Full Message:
The Pan-Australian Justice for Cyprus Coordinating Committee (PASEKA) commemorates the 47th anniversary of Turkey’s illegal invasion and ongoing occupation of the northern third of Cyprus.
In 1974, Turkey invaded Cyprus, and since then has systematically displaced 180,000 Greek Cypriots and other minorities from the northern 38% of the island. Turkey continues its illegal occupation and ethnic cleansing until this day by bringing in settlers from mainland Turkey in contravention of the Geneva Conventions whilst destroying historical and cultural sites, including religious places, in the areas it occupies with 40,000 Turkish troops.
Turkey continues to escalate tensions in Cyprus and in the Eastern Mediterranean region. On October 6th, 2020, Turkey violated UN Security Council Resolutions by re-opening Varosha in Famagusta, in the occupied areas which was widely condemned internationally.
On numerus occasions, Turkey released provocative maps and made outrageous claims on the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) of Cyprus and Greece claiming as the EEZ of Turkey (and the Turkish occupation regime) an area that almost completely surrounds the island of Cyprus. Through these unlawful claims Turkey has harassed exploratory vessels licensed by the Republic of Cyprus to explore the natural resources it is entitled to under the United Nations’ Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Turkey has recently established a drone airbase in the occupied Lefkoniko airport which only serves to further increase tensions with the Republic of Cyprus and in the Eastern Mediterranean region. These Bayraktar TB2 drones – the same type with the ones used in the operations against Nagorno Karabakh that resulted in the ethnical cleansing of tens of thousands of Armenians last year – have now been placed in the Turkish occupied areas of northern Cyprus and they are currently used to escort Turkish drilling and seismic vessels illegally conducting exploration activities within the EEZ of the Republic of Cyprus.
The Cypriots of Australia take this opportunity to ask the Australian Government and the people of Australia, to continue their support for the territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus, to reject Turkish aggression in the region, and to support the pursuit of a settlement to the Cyprus issue for a reunified state, free from Turkish troops with a single sovereignty and international personality, as defined by relevant Security Council resolutions.
More than 100 members of South Australia’s Cypriot and Greek communities gathered on Sunday, July 18 at the Cyprus Community centre of SA in Welland, Adelaide to commemorate the 47th Anniversary of the Turkish Invasion of Cyprus and honour those who fought for freedom.
The event, organised by the Cyprus Community of SA and Justice for Cyprus (SEKA SA) started with a memorial service at the Parish of St George in Thebarton followed by a wreath laying ceremony and speeches.
Pic: The Greek Herald/ Argyro Vourdoumpa
Present were, federal, state, community and religious leaders among them: David Pisoni MP, Minister for Industry and Skills representing the Premier Steven Marshall; Tom Koutsantonis MP, representing the Leader for the Opposition Peter Malinauskas; Federal Member for Adelaide, Steve Georganas; Consul General of Greece in Adelaide, George Psiachas; Labor MLC Irene Pnevmatikos; SA BEST MLC Frank Pangallo; Andrea Michaels MP, Member for Enfield; Mayor of the City of Charles Sturt, Angela Evans, Mayor of the City of West Torrens Michael Coxon, President of SAMEAC, Andriana Christopoulos; His Grace Bishop Silouan of Sinope, Fr Diogenis Patsouris and President of the Greek Orthodox Community of SA, Bill Gonis.
L tPic: The Greek Herald/ Argyro VourdoumpaPic: The Greek Herald/ Argyro Vourdoumpa
“We call on the Australian and the international community to urge President Tayip Erdogan to stay in his country and in a move of good will to withdraw the Turkish troops from Cyprus and allow the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to be reunited under a bizonal, bicommunal federal government in accordance with the UN resolution” said SEKA SA President Peter Ppiros in his opening speech.
Pic: The Greek Herald/ Argyro Vourdoumpa
Referring to the latest developments regarding Turkey’s decision to re-open the Varosha beachfront Cyprus Community of SA, Prof. Andreas Evdokiou characterised it as an “aggressive act by the Turkish government which comes in controversy with multiple UN resolutions that demand the preservation of Varosha for the people of Cyprus.”
“This is the most dangerous development to date with the potential to permanently derail any future negotiations for a feasible solution.
“We must remain committed to the objectives of a solution we seek. A solution that will terminate the occupation and colonisation based on UN resolutions, high level agreements and based on International and European law,” Prof Evdokiou said in his emotionally charged speech.
Pic: The Greek Herald/ Argyro Vourdoumpa
The Consul General, Mr George Psiachas, spoke about the distraction caused by the invasion and explained why Cyprus is on the right side of history.
“Who is the winner of the situation today? The Republic of Cyprus has managed, nevertheless, to become a full member of the EU because of its stands/stance foreign negotiations with the aggressor and the oppressor. On the other hand, Turkey is still striving to become a member of the EU.
Pic: The Greek Herald/ Argyro Vourdoumpa
Speeches were also given by Minister Pisoni, Greek Australian politicians Tom Koutsantonis, Steve Georganas and Mayor Evans. Irene Pnevmatikos, Andrea Michaels and SAMEAC President, Ms Christopoulos reiterated that “We Should Not Forget”.
Pic: The Greek Herald/ Argyro VourdoumpaPic: The Greek Herald/ Argyro VourdoumpaPic: The Greek Herald/ Argyro Vourdoumpa
The wreath laying ceremony concluded with the national anthems of Australia and Greece and later on the attendees were treated to light refreshments and snacks.
Pic: The Greek Herald/ Argyro Vourdoumpa
The Invasion through the eyes of Kyrenian Erricos Neophytou
Somewhere in the crowd stands 81-year-old Erricos Neophytou a proud Kyrenian and Adelaide resident for the last four decades.
When Turkey invaded Cyprus on Saturday, 20 July 1974, Mr Neophytou was 34, living with his wife, Celia and 12-months-old daughter in a three-story house in the city of Kyrenia.
“We woke up by the sounds of the bombs. I went up to the last storey where I had a clear view of the ocean and I saw 4-5 ships,” Mr Neophytou tells The Greek Herald.
Erricos Neophytou, 81. Picture: The Greek Herald/Argyro Vourdoumpa
“I was at the age where I could serve in the army so I went to the nearest police station to make myself available to defend the country. They told me to go back to my family because there were no guns.”
Mr Neophytou went back home. In the meantime, the matron of the Red Cross School for kids with disabilities, back then based in the outskirts of Kyrenia, was a close friend of his wife and called her to go to the organisation’s premises where they would be more secure.
“My wife had her robe on and my daughter only the nappy she was wearing. My mother used to live 500 metres away from us. I took them all to Red Cross.”
Celia and the baby where some of the first people who were transported to the port of Akrotiri aboard British naval ship HMS Hermes and from there to London on a C-130 Hercules.
On July 23, 1974 young Erricos decided to leave Kyrenia and head to Nicosia.
“I started walking towards the East. I stopped at my father’s grave first and managed to get through Nicosia.”
In October 1974 Mr Neophytou went to England and reunited with his family but the memories are still alive.
Christos Karefyllidis
“I was a coach with PAEK (ΠΑΕΚ), the local basketball team and I know many young people who died, one of them was Christos Karefyllides (Χρίστος Καρεφυλλίδης). He was one of the first victims in town,” Mr Neophytou says, holding backs his tears.
In 1978 he migrated to Australia with his family. But he never forgot his home country or the house that he used to live in, that became the Turkish Army Headquarters during the invasion.
“We need to remember and keep remembering. It’s in our blood. Cyprus is our home,” he concludes as he stands proudly in front of the laid wreaths for a photo.
