Limassol martyrs remembered
TURKISH Cypriot resistance fighters who lost their lives during the Limassol Resistance of 1964 were commemorated in a ceremony at the Limassol-Girne Martyrs and Freedom Monument in Girne on Sunday.
The ceremony began with the laying of wreaths and a moment of silence, before the national anthem was played.
There was then a poetry recital by Anafartalar high school pupils Döne Nur Kayışkanat and Sude Naz Buhur, and a speech by President Ersin Tatar.
The ceremony was attended by Central Commander Artillery Colonel Mesut Kılınç on behalf of the Cyprus Turkish Peace Forces, Security Forces Commander Major-General Zorlu Topaloğlu, Girne District Governor Sinan Güneş, and Girne Mayor Nidai Güngördü.
In his speech, President Tatar spoke of how the Greek Cypriot side viewed the creation of the Republic of Cyprus as their “springboard to Enosis”, and wished to reduce the Turkish Cypriot people to a minority status, and to rid the island of them.
He also used the ceremony to repeat his call for a two-state solution to the Cyprus Problem. Erbil Aydınova, head of the Girne branch of the Cyprus TMT Veterans’ Association also made a speech, in which he reaffirmed his support for a two-state solution.
Prime Minister Faiz Sucuoğlu said in a written message: “Turkish Cypriots from Limassol showed great resistance to protect the Turkish Cypriots’ presence on the island against the genocide perpetrated by the Greek Cypriots and Greeks against the Turkish Cypriots, and they sacrificed their lives for this cause by continuing their struggle in poverty 58 years ago.
“This resistance has an important place in our struggle for freedom and is the heroic epic of the Turkish Cypriots from Limassol. We commemorate our martyrs with gratitude.”