A K E LBulletin

Edited by the International Relations Department C.C. AKEL No 38 | March 2014

40 years!

Cyprusend occupation

of

>> Developments on the Cyprus Problem

AKEL supports the resumption of the dialogue between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots

The Anastasiades government's vacillations assist Turkey

The former President of Cyprus Demetris Christofias with the former leader of the Turkish Cypriot community Mehmet Ali Talat

2014marks 40 years since NATO's double crimeagainst Cyprus which led to the occupationof 37% of its territory by Turkey and the de

facto partition of our island and people.

For 40 years negotiations have been going on to find a solution thatwill lead to the termination of the occupation and reunification ofCyprus through its evolvement into a federal state, in which GreekCypriots and Turkish Cypriots will coexist peacefully. These effortscome up against the intransigent attitude of Turkey and the TurkishCypriot leadership which insist on positions such as the partition ofthe island, the solution of confederation, the staying of the Turkisharmy and continuation of the system of foreign guarantors in Cyprus.

The election of Demetris Christofias in 2008 revived the hopes forprogress on the Cyprus problem. Indeed, Demetris Christofias as Pres-ident of the Republic of Cyprus took several international initiativesfor pressure to be put on Turkey to change its stance. The delineationof the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Republic of Cyprusand the identification of natural gas reserves in the Cypriot EEZhave raised international interest in Cyprus. In addition, as theleader of the Greek Cypriot community, D. Christofias entered intonegotiations with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat andsignificant progress was registered in some aspects of the Cyprus prob-lem. Negotiations began on the basis of the United Nations Resolu-tions on the Cyprus problems and the two Joint Communiqués of thetwo leaders in which it was clarified that the basis of negotiations willbe to find a bi-zonal bi-communal federal solution with a single sover-

eignty, a single citizenship and a single international personality withpolitical equality of the two communities as defined in the UN Reso-lutions.

In all previous years, Demetris Christofias defended the basic princi-ples of the solution of the Cyprus problem and demonstrated a spiritof good will towards the Turkish Cypriots. He put forth the demandfor the abolition of the guarantees of Turkey, Britain and Greece

over the Republic of Cyprus, which exist since independence wasgranted in 1960. He rejected the scenarios for Cyprus' accession toNATO or to the NATO programme "Partnership for Peace", main-taining the position that with the solution of the Cyprus problemCyprus should be demilitarized.

Of particular importance was the philosophy of our proposals inrelation to the functioning of the federal state that would emergethrough the solution. In our view, the election of the executive power(e.g. President, Vice-President of the federal government) must bedone in such a way as to eliminate the provisions (which existed in the1960 Constitution too but also in various plans proposed for a solu-tion) that wanted the Greek Cypriots (GC) and Turkish Cypriots(TC) to vote completely separately for their leaders and representa-tives to the state bodies. In our view, only when GC and TC vote to-gether for the leadership of their common state based on politicalprogrammes will ethnic conflicts be overcome and political con-frontation is transferred to an ideological and socio-class level.However, Ankara's position, the support it receives from the Americanand NATO powers and the assumption of the leadership of the Turk-ish Cypriot community by the nationalist Dervis Eroglu preventedfurther progress in the negotiations.

In February 2013, the leader of the right-wing Democratic Rally partyNicos Anastasiades was elected to the Presidency of the Republic ofCyprus, with the support of the Democratic Party and the right-wingEuropean Party. Anastasiades is trying to balance between the twoextremist political lines as expressed by forces within his coalitiongovernment: on the one hand, the pro-American line that is will-ing to depart from the correct principles for the solution of theCyprus problem and on the other, the rejectionist line that inessence opposes federation as a solution and in the final analysisthe very idea of cohabitation with the Turkish Cypriots as well.

AKEL from the very beginning proposed to President Anastasiades

that he should continuethe efforts on the basis on which the Christofias-Talat negotiationswere waged and build on the convergences that were agreed. AKELwarned the President that if he threw in the bin all that was agreed andthe convergences recorded between Christofias and Talat, then Turkeyand the current Turkish Cypriot leader would subsequently find theopportunity to disengage themselves and put new unacceptable de-mands. Furthermore, AKEL pointed out that it would not be possibleto achieve a better text and then we will be forced either to make un-acceptable compromises or to be apportioned the blame for the im-passe.

The President did not share our position. The Cyprus government re-moved the references to the Christofias - Talat joint communiquésfrom the last resolution the UN Security Council and began the at-tempt to draw up a joint declaration. For five months hectic effortswere made, with the involvement of the UN, the U.S. and Turkey. TheTurkish side objected to the references to a "single sovereignty" beingincluded in the communique; references which the federal state willhave, as they had in fact existed in the previous Christofias-Talat jointcommuniques. As AKEL predicted, Turkey and the Turkish Cypriotleadership want to disengage themselves from what was agreed in theprevious years in order to bring back their partitionist positions to thenegotiations.

Following the intervention of the Americans and British, eventu-ally it became feasible in early February to agree on a Joint Decla-ration of the leaders of the two communities. Developments as theyhave evolved have vindicated AKEL's absolutely correct position.

The President of Republicof Cyprus Nikos

Anastasiades with theleader of the TurkishCypriot community

Dervis Eroglou

The conclusion of the Joint Declaration after a path ofregressions which lasted for almost five monthsleads to the resumption of inter-communal ne-gotiations under the auspices of the United Na-tions, which constitute the only in effect wayto reverse the current partitionist status quoand achieve a comprehensive solution of theCyprus problem on the basis of principles.

AKEL had warned from the outset that any at-tempt to disengage from the joint declarations agreedpreviously by Christofias - Talat, as well as from the con-vergences that were achieved for the sake of petty political expedienceswould lead us to unnecessary adventures with an uncertain outcome.This policy of disengagement was supported by all the other parties.Developments themselves have unfortunately vindicated our Party'sassessments:

1. In the Christofias - Talat joint declarations there was an explicit ref-erence to a single sovereignty. In the course of the negotiations, itwas agreed that this single sovereignty would be indivisible andemanate equally from the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.In the Declaration there is a reference to a single sovereignty which isdefined as the sovereignty enjoyed by all Member States of the UnitedNations in line with the UN Charter and emanating equally from theGreek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.

The deletion of the term "indivisible", combined with the additionthat this is defined as the sovereignty enjoyed by all Member States ofthe United Nations in line with the UN Charter leaves no doubt thatthe external aspect of sovereignty is safeguarded in the Declaration,but the question of the internal aspect of sovereignty is left pending.

2. During the Christofias - Talat talks our position was that we do notdiscuss the residue of power before the federal competences areagreed. In the Declaration the residue is delegated to the constituentstates without a commitment for adequate competences of thecentral government. If this is combined with the President's positionfor a decentralized federation, with which AKEL disagrees, the prob-lem assumes bigger dimensions than perceived at first.

3. The reference to constituent states was indeed included also in

the Christofias - Talat joint communiqués but subse-quently, when we ascertained interpretations in bad

faith by the Turkish Cypriot side, this waschanged in the documents that recorded con-vergences/divergences. In the documents inquestion, the reference was to federated units.

From the above it can be concluded that theJoint Declaration is lagging behind the

Christofias - Talat joint communiques on spe-cific points and mainly because the single sover-

eignty is safeguarded only with respect to its externaldimension. In reality, AKEL's position that the disengagement fromthe Christofias - Talat joint statements could not have led to a betterresult has been vindicated.

What is most important now, if the negotiating process begins, is tolearn from mistakes and draw the lesson because if convergencesachieved previously are rejected then we are going to have similar orworse results. It is for this reason that we consider the reference in theJoint Declaration that all pending issues will be on the table as positive,as in effect it refers to a continuation of the talks from where they wereleft off.

AKEL underlines once again that the solution of the Cyprus problemis the top priority. If the President decides to proceed with talks,AKEL will once again act responsibly and constructively and backthe negotiating process. We urge the President, with the resumptionof negotiations if negotiations do begin, to be consistent on the prin-ciples of solution of the Cyprus problem and not commit regressionsand contradictions. At the same time, it is imperative that he operatesin a collective way and manner, as well as to conduct on-going consul-tations with the political parties aiming at achieving the greatest pos-sible consensus. The views of all are of course respected and we do notcall for an artificial deletion of disagreements. However, in view of thecritical nature of the situation the way any possible different ap-proaches are presented is also important.

The path ahead will be extremely difficult and seriousness will be de-manded from all. We address an appeal to all the political parties torise to the occasion and seek the greatest possible cooperation and un-derstanding between us.

Statement of the Political Bureau of the C.C. of AKEL on the Joint Communique, 8th February 2014

AKEL has pointed out that there is a real danger that an attemptwill be made by the well-known imperialist circles to impose on

our people a package that includes the "closure" of the Cyprusproblem and turning the island over to NATO, in combina-tion with the seizure of the Cypriot natural gas and the eco-

nomic enslavement of our country,which besides is under the yoke

of the Memorandum. Such solutions will never ever be accepted by AKEL and the Cypriot people.

On the other hand, AKEL does not compromise with the logicthat refers the solution of the Cyprus problem into some in-

definite time in the future, at the same time when the occupa-tional and partitionist given situation would be consolidated

on the ground. This is the reason why AKEL supports the proce-dure of the dialogue and simultaneously will also continue to ex-

press in a constructive manner its proposals, to warn about thepitfalls/traps and rebuke the vacillations of the Greek Cypriot

side. AKEL will continue to call for a comprehensive briefing, col-lectivity within the framework of the National Council

and absolute respect for the principles of the solution of the Cyprus problem.

Our goal remains a just solution of the Cyprus problem that willliberate, demilitarize and reunify our island; a solution that will

open up a new page of progress, development and prosperity forour people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. It will also be agreat contribution to the cause of peace in the wider region of the

Eastern Mediterranean.

AKEL expresses its solidarity with our Turk-ish Cypriot compatriot Murat Kanatli, Organ-isational Secretary of the New Cyprus Party(YKP), who has been arrested by the occu-pational authorities today because of hisrefusal to serve his military service in theoccupation army. At the same time AKELdenounces the action of the occupation armywhich once again is revealing its brutal char-acter.

The fighter Murat Kanatli has repeatedly re-fused since 2009 to serve the occupation armyinvoking reasons of consciousness. He haspreferred to remain with a clear consciousrather than serve an army that is partitioninguntil today his homeland and imposing occu-

pational faits accomplis. Both he and his Party are struggling continu-ously for the termination of the occupationand for the reunification of the country. In thestruggle for rapprochement the New CyprusParty and AKEL have been on the same battlefront many times.

AKEL reconfirms that it will remain in soli-darity with all Cypriots, on either side of theoccupational barbed wire of division whohave as their vision a reunified Cyprus, ahomeland for all its children, Greek Cypriotsand Turkish Cypriots.

AKEL C.C Press Office25th February 2014

Solidarity with Murat Kanatli

AKELhas been and will remain at the forefront of the anti-occupationstruggle for the peaceful liberation and real reunification of ourcountry and people. That's why we support the procedure of the

resumption of the talks, despite our disagreements with some aspects of the Joint Communiqué,which in any event must not continue to be glorified or demonized.

The President of the Republic must promote the long-standing agreed positions of the GreekCypriot community as recorded in the unanimous decisions of the National Council. These posi-tions provide for the withdrawal of the occupation forces and the demilitarization of Cyprus, withthe addition of the assertion for the abolition of guarantees and rights of intervention to any thirdcountry. It is needless for an EU member-state and dangerous leftover of 1960, which has broughtonly destruction.

It is precisely for this reason that we express our intense displeasure regarding today's referencesmade by the President of the Republic in an interview given to the "Kathimerini" newspaper. Pres-ident Anastasiades' position that the issue of guarantees can be regulated fully with Cyprus' acces-sion to the Partnership for Peace and subsequently to NATO is unacceptable and the perspectiveof such a solution will find us confronting him.

It is really worth questioning that while the government coalition is dissolving, at the same timewhen the Left and AKEL supports the procedure of the talks with selflessness, when the internalaspects of the Cyprus problem have not even been discussed why does Mr. Anastasiades opt forconflict, by highlighting an extremely ideological and dogmatic position supported by the Demo-cratic Rally DISY party - namely the position that seeks to shackle Cyprus to the NATO machine,thus endangering the attempt at a common understanding?

We urge the President of the Republic to have second and wiser thoughts. The Cyprus problemhas suffered from military interventions and is subject to the occupation of a NATO member state.

For the solution to be peaceful and lasting it must abolish armies and guarantees and not to makeour homeland a NATO military base and launch pad with unforeseeable consequences for bothour people and peace in the region.

AKEL C.C. Press Office, 23rd February 2014

AKEL denounces President’s

position for NATO

guarantees

>> Young Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots united against imperialism and partition

“United, federal Cyprus! Say no to partition!”Bi-communal mass mobilisation in the Troodos mountain range against the presence of British bases on the island

The annual militant event organized by the youth organizationof Left, EDON, held on the 2nd of February 2014, beganwith a march to the highest peak of Troodos mountains to

the British radar installations where a protest meeting was held againstthe continual presence of British bases and troops in Cyprus. “Wemarch to the British radar installations to protest at the continual pres-ence of British troops in Cyprus. We are also protesting against theAnastasiades government's attempts to join NATO,” said Haris Kara-manos.

The mobilisation and event also aimed at strengthening the ties be-tween the two communities, as progressive Turkish Cypriots youthorganizations are also participating every year in the event with theirbanners and flags. This year’s slogan was “United, federal Cyprus. Sayno to partition!”

Following the march, the participants head to the picnic grounds atPlatania for a concert by Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot bands.

Extracts from the speech of the GS of the CC of AKEL, Andros Kyprianou

On behalf of the Central Committee of AKEL I ad-dress a warm greeting to the Greek Cypriot andTurkish Cypriot youth gathered here. I extendwarm greetings to the youth of EDON, to theyoung people of Cyprus; to all the generations thathave passed through the ranks of EDON andgather here every year in the annual mass excur-

sion-mobilization of the Organization to the Troodos Mountain. Sincethe EDON militants ascended Troodos for the first time in 1959 to theEDON members and cadres today, much has changed around us. Butthe ideals that serve our cause remain the same. These banners are inthe hands of the young people of Cyprus, Greek Cypriots and TurkishCypriots, who are struggling for the liberation, reunification and pros-perity of their common homeland.

40 years of occupation and division are more than enough. The situa-tion on the ground is changing dangerously. The Greek Cypriot prop-erties in the occupied areas are being usurped and developed againsttheir will. The settlers are growing continuously, directly threatening the identity of the Turkish Cypriot community. Thecolonisation is threatening the survival of both the Greek Cypriots andTurkish Cypriots in the land of their birth.

The people of Cyprus have experienced much suffering. History owesit to Cyprus that its struggle is vindicated. But in the world we are liv-ing in, nothing is ever given. Everything must be gained through strug-gle.

On behlaf of the Portuguese Communist Party(PCP) Angelo Alvez, member of the PB of the CC ofPCP addressed a militant greeting to the members ofEDON. He expressed the full support of his party tothe struggle for liberation and reunification of Cyprus.

Moreover he analysed the dramatic social situation inPortugal and confirmed the will for united resistanceagainst the policies of EU and Troika.

Onthe occasion of the Programmatic Congress ofAKEL conveys a warm militant greeting to all of thepeople of Cyprus.

Cyprus is at a very difficult and critical juncture. Our people and coun-try are confronted with many problems and challenges. Among themtwo stand out, whose development will determine our country's pres-ent and future. The first problem is the occupation of a large part ofthe territory of the Republic of Cyprus and the de facto division whichTurkey imposed by force of arms in 1974. The illegal presence ofTurkey in Cyprus, the occupation and division pose huge dangers forour country. Forty years since the treacherous coup d'état of the Juntain Athens and EOKA B and the subsequent barbaric Turkish invasionwith the passage of time consolidating the faits accomplis of the inva-sion and occupation, the achievement of a solution is an imperativenecessity.

The safeguarding of a peaceful future is a prerequisite for achieving asolution to the Cyprus problem; a solution that will provide for theend of the Turkish occupation and to the colonization of the occupiedareas, as well as ensuring the reunification of the country and people;a solution that will restore the human rights and fundamental freedomsof all Cypriots in a demilitarized common homeland. Consistent withour position, but also with the long-standing position of the GreekCypriot side for a solution that provides for demilitarization, we op-pose the government's intention to join NATO and its offshoots, suchas the Partnership for Peace. Our vision is for Greek Cypriots, TurkishCypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins to be able without outsideinterventions to build their own commonfuture in conditions of lasting peace and security. The achievement of

such a solution makes the commitment and consistency on the UNresolutions regarding Cyprus imperative, which provide for a bi-zonalbi-communal federal solution with political equality as set out by theUnited Nations, the High-Level Agreements of 1977 and 1979 and onInternational and European law. This demands unwavering consistencyto the principles of the solution of the Cyprus problem, but also real-ism in the formulation and exercise of policy.

The solution of the Cyprus problem is for AKEL the foremost patrioticpriority. Proof of this is the fact that despite our Party's disagreementwith the tactics the President pursued, with the support of all the otherparties, for the drawing up of a joint communique and despite the factthat it falls short and is inferior to the Christofias-Talat joint statementsand the relevant convergence recorded, AKEL backs the negotiatingprocess. This fact does not alter the positions of the Party. On certainpoints there is a gulf of views separating us with the President of theRepublic, as well as with all those forces who do not accept bi- com-munal, bi-zonal federation.

The path to achieving a solution will not be easy, or simple. There willbe many difficulties in the negotiation. It is imperative that the Presi-dent of the Republic must defend principles in this procedure that hepromotes collective handling within the framework of the NationalCouncil, informs and constantly consults with the political forces. Itis imperative that the five permanent UN Security Council membersare involved within the framework of a multidimensional foreign pol-icy.

On the domestic front consensus, wisdom and dialogue must prevail.We need to reject the tactics of demonization, but also idealizing the

Declaration of the Programmatic Congress of AKEL

The Plenum of the C.C. of AKEL, which convened on 1st No-vember 2013, decided to hold a programmatic congress of theParty. On the 7th January 2014 the C.C. discussed the "The-

ses" which the Political Bureau presented. After a fruitful discussionthe Plenary session of the C.C approved the "Theses"which were madepublic.

In line with the relevant article of the Party Constitution a Public Pre-

Congress Dialogue" was held through the party newspaper “Haravgi”where a significant number of articles of Party members were pub-lished. At the same time the “Theses” were discussed in the Party BaseOrganisations.

On 15-16th of February 2014, the extraordinary Programmatic Con-gress of AKEL took place, where the Theses of the Central Committeeand the Declaration of AKEL to the People of Cyprus, were approved.

situation, and ensure that accountability and rationalism prevail. AKELas always will work with seriousness, regardless of the fact that it wasitself the victim of daily, relentless and unjust attacks during the gov-ernance of D. Christofias. AKEL will continue to act in the interests ofCyprus and our people.

The second problem we must tackle is the economic crisis plaguingour country. Cyprus is a victim of the systemic crisis of capitalism,which has hit the Eurozone particularly hard, but also the crisis of thecountry's banking system. The agreement of the Eurogroup with Pres-ident Anastasiades for the haircut/levy on deposits has destroyed oureconomy and has plunged it into a vicious cycle regenerating and wors-ening recession. Working people, pensioners on low pensions, theSME's and the vulnerable groups of the population are all paying thecost of the crisis and recession. It is characteristic that with the impo-sition of the anti-peoples Memorandum, profits have in fact increasedsignificantly, while the purchasing value of wages has returned to thelevels of 1996.Not only are the Anastasiades government and DISY not resisting theneoliberal attack of the Troika and its Memorandum, but they are usingit as an excuse to promote their policies against the people and theirinterests. Not only is the Anastasiades government not discussing anyother solution for an exit from the Memorandum, not only is he notconfining itself to its faithful implementation, but it is acting as more"Troikanist" than even the Troika itself by imposing additional meas-ures against the people and their interests. This however leads to theimpoverishment of a large part of the population, increases unemploy-ment at an alarming rate, exacerbating labour conditions at the expenseof workers, selling-out public wealth, dismantling the welfare state andeliminating any prospect of an exit from the crisis.

AKEL has submitted a comprehensive proposal for the speedy disen-gagement from the Memorandum. Unfortunately, the governmentstubbornly refuses to discuss this proposal. It is obvious that the gov-ernment and parties who support it are keeping Cyprus trapped in thedeadlocks of the Memorandum which is driving our country manydecades back to the past. AKEL does not limit itself only to the pro-posal for a disengagement from the Memorandum. It promotes, bothinside and outside Parliament, proposals for alleviating the problemsour people face, to prevent privatizations and protect public wealth, to

boost development and back the welfare state. Here too AKEL unfor-tunately confronts the ruling powers reaction.

The management of the hydrocarbons, the discovery of which repre-sents a great achievement of the Christofias government, hasbecome a matter of life for the country and our people. Regretfully, thedelays, as well as the government's decision to restrict the role of thestate and transfer the management of the infrastructures to private cap-ital, arouse reasonable suspicions and worries. The formation of a Na-tional Council for the collective and sound management of natural gasto the benefit of society is imperative.

In these critical times Cyprus is going through, AKEL once again de-clares that it will be at the forefront of all the struggles. Consistent andsteadfast to its human-centred ideology, inspired by its ideals, loyal toits historical traditions and the perspective of socialism, AKEL unitedand renewed, is in the front line of the struggle for the liberation andreunification of our country and people, the promotion of the policyof rapprochement against nationalism - chauvinism. The President ofthe Republic has an obligation to combat nationalism and we urge himto do so. AKEL is leading the struggle so that Cyprus will be able toadvance forward with certainty to a future free from any Memorandacommitments. AKEL is at the forefront of the struggle to build a neweconomic model that will support the mixed economy and have thecommon people and their basic needs at its heart; to combat corrup-tion and interweaving interests and promote transparency and socialcontrol.

AKEL is waging a fierce struggle to defend working peoples and soci-ety's gains and rights. It is waging a fierce struggle to build the perspec-tive which will emerge from the resistance to the Troika and theneoliberal policies that the European Union is institutionalising andenforcing. Another way is possible for Cyprus and we can achieve it.AKEL addresses all the working people, the unemployed , pensioners,small and middle strata, the youth, women, all those suffocating underthe weight of the neoliberal onslaught and the Anastasiades govern-ment's policies against the peoples interests and urges them to join usfor a dignified present and for a better tomorrow for our Cyprus.We deserve it! We can achieve it!

Onbehalf ofthe Cen-t r a l

Committee of AKEL I welcome you all to the Programmatic Congresswhich we aspire will put its mark on our Party’s course to the future.The Programming Congress is the culmination of a procedure of in-ternal party discussions held over many months; a procedure thatbegan after the Presidential Elections. All this time we dealt with theevaluation of the election results and our assessment of the 5-year ad-ministration of comrade D. Christofias. We fulfilled the pledge wemade immediately after the Presidential Elections.

We had two rounds of discussions in the AKEL Party Base Organ-izations. We discussed everything in a constructive and open man-ner. We listened very carefully to the party grassroots opinions onall the issues. We listened very carefully and hear the messagesconveyed by the people as well. We studied and are studying theseviews. Besides, this was also one of main objectives of the pre-Congress Dialogue and Congress: to grasp the messages and elab-orate positions and policies emanating from the fundamentalprinciples that guide us, but also from working people’s concerns,worries and agony. We share these concerns. We exist and strugglein this country to serve their interests. We trusted the working peopleand their criterion in this process as well: the criterion of our own class,the class of the working people, small and middle strata, the youth,farmers and the people. This was the foundation stone upon which thepositions we will be discussing in the Congress were built on.

We also evaluated the situation that has evolved since the election ofthe Anastasiades government. The developments that followed it wereswift. The events and policies that spawned the Memorandum ofMarch 2013 created unprecedented conditions for our country. Theseconditions demand from a political force with our own tradition, his-tory and consistency, serious evaluations and positions. It is our Party’sobligation, priority and task to resist the attack on the people and theirinterests; to defend everything our people have won through their toil,struggles and sacrifices.

That’s why we’re here today – to elaborate freely and democraticallypositions that will enhance our ability to wage victorious struggles;that will help us to become the force of the people to build their future;to reaffirm that AKEL means resistance to policies against people’s in-terests; that AKEL means struggle, the hope and the perspective for abetter future.

I clarify that I will not analyse the past in detail. Besides, this is not theobjective of the Congress. I will simply make a general reference to thepast and we shall look to the future. This is the goal of our two-dayCongress: to look at our country’s future and perspective. I stress fromthe beginning that the Congress is divided into four parts. On eachtheme there will be an introductory speaker who will develop twochapters. Subsequently a debate will take place, while at the end weshall approve our decisions.

Speech of Andros Kyprianou, General Secretary of the C.C. of AKEL at the Programmatic Congress

AKEL, together with the Democratic Party (DIKO) and the SocialistParty (EDEK) cooperated in the governance of the country in 2008,with Demetris Christofias as President of the Republic. Although thegovernment produced a rich and multifaceted work, the obstacles weencountered in the talks for a solution of the Cyprus problem and theunprecedented global capitalist crisis, rendered the context in whichwe worked incredibly difficult.

On the one hand, we had to fight against Turkish intransigence at thenegotiating table and Turkey as a powerful opponent in the interna-tional field. On the domestic front, we faced an unprecedented warunleashed against us. Even long-standing positions of the GreekCypriot side on the Cyprus problem were questioned, which day byday split the unity that should have existed in a period when talks areconducted. Unfortunately Mr. Anastasiades and the Democratic Rallyparty (DISY) distorting our long-standing positions, joined forceswith the rest of the parties against the handling of Demetris Christofiason the Cyprus problem. The nearer we approached the presidentialelections, the more he shared positions which he had previously char-acterised as “rejectionist” and “dead-end.”

On the other hand, we had to tackle the consequences of the economiccrisis. On some issues there was some consensus that permitted agree-ment on numerous measures that corrected long-standing distortions.However, the differences in political philosophy, the interests and pettyparty considerations were not put aside and did not allow us to achieveall that we wanted. When decisions had to be taken, these interests andnarrow-minded party expediencies surfaced.

After the accident at the Mari naval base, logic and wisdom werereplaced by hysteria and levelling. Human suffering was subjectto political exploitation. The political and personal attack againstDemetris Christofias and AKEL was certainly not just about thetragic explosion. It was to a large extent an attack on the positionsof the Left on the Cyprus problem, the economy and a number ofother issues. We all remember that at the demonstrations outside thePresidential Palace, many were inciting, applauding and cheering par-titionist positions on the Cyprus problem; xenophobic, racist and trag-ically dangerous positions for the political life of the country anddemocracy; positions which, as we had warned, Mr. Anastasiadeswould confront today.

The atmosphere created at that time unfortunately cultivated politicalhysteria and levelling. An attempt was made to promote the belief thatnothing right was done during the Christofias administration. I willmerely point out some important achievements to prove how unjust

and unsubstantiated this attempt was. More and more people will in-creasingly realise this.During the five year term, the process for conducting explorations todiscover natural gas in the Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone was com-pleted successfully, as well as the process of tender, a procedure thatencountered many obstacles. We all remember the constant threats is-sued by Turkey. As a result of the correct handling of the issue made by the President and the Government, the international communitysupported our sovereign right to conduct the drilling. It is no exagger-ation to say that this was Turkey’s first major political defeat since1974.The successful exercising of the first Presidency of the EuropeanUnion by the Republic of Cyprus has a prominent place.

On the Cyprus problem, many and significant convergences were reg-istered. One of these is the convergence for a single and indivisible sov-ereignty; a convergence which regretfully today was not made possibleto be reconfirmed.

On socio-economic issues, no matter how much discussion might beheld, no one can deny that D.Christofias upheld a line of resistancewhen confronted by unacceptable demands against the peoples inter-ests; a policy of defending working people, public wealth and protect-ing those in need. No matter how fanatical someone may be, he/shecannot but acknowledge this fact. Today we all understand why thelenders waited for the government to change in order to demand ad-ditional conditions and terms, such as the haircut/levy on bank de-posits, the promotion of privatizations and much more.

In the 2013 Presidential Elections the independent candidacy ofStavros Malas, which AKEL supported, received 43% of the vote;a percentage that demonstrated the confidence of the people in theproposals submitted by the Left; a trust that did not manage to coverthe dark clouds of the political attacks on AKEL, no matter how viciousthese were. The result proved that the left forces have many possibilitiesto give another perspective for the country.

Saying all that, we do not praise ourselves. Various events gave the rightto quite a few circles to question our consistency in our positions andeffectiveness in policies; to attack our moral standing. Just the fact thatwe were being accused on these two characteristics which for AKELwere always indisputable, puzzled us. That is why we did not yield. Weproceeded in a self-critical manner.

AKEL, unlike other parties and forces, doesn’t change its positions forpetty electioneering purposes. We are the only force that carries outself-criticism fearlessly, in a comprehensive and well-documented way

by waging a free discussion. Only those who do nothing do not makeany mistakes. But whoever willingly judges us for our mistakes, shouldjudge us on the substance of our policies and positions. If they do, theywill conclude that in most cases AKEL’s policies are vindicated by lifeitself. I will give some examples to prove the point.

For many years they were discrediting us because of our positionsregarding the European Union. They called our Party “dogmaticand stuck in the past” because it can’t perceive the EuropeanUnion as a ‘”family” where “solidarity between equal partners”prevails.

When Cyprus joined the European Union, AKEL’s Declaration,among other things, pointed out that, “AKEL is aware of what the Eu-ropean Union is. It constitutes a regional integration which based atleast on the current facts is founded upon neoliberal policies that arefar from our own visions and conception of so-cial justice.” In November 2010, AKEL insistedon denouncing the “character of the EuropeanUnion as an advanced form of capitalist polit-ical and economic integration” and noted that“it is increasingly being understood that the de-cisions taken in Brussels and the situation pre-vailing in the European Union affects the livesof Cypriots.” In December 2011, in the debateto approve the State Budget AKEL had stressedthat “what the ruling forces of the EuropeanUnion are seeking is to tackle the economic sit-uation in each country in a completely dog-matic and extreme way.” We were then accusedof being ideologically obsessive. However,who can today refute these truths – indeedat the same time when the President of theRepublic himself is claiming that he wasblackmailed into taking decisions about thefuture of Cyprus and the Cypriot people?

The day when Cyprus joined the Euro, AKEL stressed that this wasthe beginning of a difficult journey with problems and challenges. Thatsame day the Democratic Rally party rushed to condemn AKEL, stat-ing that it confirms its “anti-European frenzy” and “ideological and po-litical fixations which are keeping our country glued to the past.” Todaymore and more people recognize that our membership in the Euro-zone was a hasty move that limited our ability to exercise policy andcontributed to the growth of problems in the Cypriot economy.

When we were pointing out that the crisis in Cyprus was caused bythe erroneous decisions of banks and not by the “reckless policy ofhanding out cheques to people” as the current President of the DISYparty Averof Neophytou had characterised the social policy of theChristofias administration, at that time the entire opposition in unisonwere complaining day and night that “measures are not being taken,that is why we had to take recourse to the Troika.” We had then invokednumerous statements made by European officials, and particularly thestatements of the representative of the Troika in Cyprus M. Verveikwho stated clearly that “The view arguing that this is a debt crisis ismisleading… the main problems, regarding the causes of the crisis, liein the decisions of the banks.” However in that same period, Mr. Anas-tasiades was trying to convince a memorable televised debate with the

current deputy government spokesman and journalist back then that“the crisis was brought on by all those who did not manage the state’sfinances properly.” Indeed he suggested to the journalist Mr. Victor Pa-padopoulos that if he believes that it is the banks that created theCyprus crisis, then he has fallen victim of the propaganda of theChristofias Government! Today everyone admits the big problem ofthe Cyprus economy is the black hole of the banking sector.

We insisted on our position that profits should be taxed and that thethe consequences of the crisis must not be put on working peoplesbacks. We were accused that we want to “choke entrepreneurship.”Today, based on the policies being imposed by the Troika and imple-mented by the Government what is occurring is expected. Accordingto figures released by the European Commission, the profitability ofbusinesses in Cyprus has increased by 10.5%. In 2014 this profitabilitywill reach the highest point of the last 20 years. At the same time wages

by the end of 2014 will be reduced by30%, profits of 4.2 billion Euros a yearwill be recorded and wages of 500Euros or less per month.

Today all these positions are being vin-dicated. This of course does not meanthat we hesitate to look at ourselvesself-critically; to identify our mistakesand learn from them; to constantly cor-rect ourselves and move forward. Thisis what we sought to do over the pastfew months, taking specific measures.

We base our attempt to renew andstrengthen our Party on two axes:firstly, on the organizational restructur-ing and strengthening of our Party andsecondly in the formulation of clearpolicy positions on the most importantissues facing the people, but also our

movement. We have already proceeded to renew the Secretariat andthe Political Bureau because constant renewal for us is like oxygen.This was preceded by the change in the leadership in three DistrictCommittees. At the same time we called for an on-goingevaluation/assessment of the work of Party Base Organisations. Theaim is to help them function properly and improve their contacts withthe people; to take intense actions and interventions in local commu-nities, in order to solve local problems and provide support to thosemost in need.

The second axis is the formulation of clear policy positions which iswhy we are here today. After a tumultuous five years and the rapid de-velopments of last March, we judged it was necessary to discuss themain issues affecting our country; to reaffirm positions and policies.Our guiding compass of course is not what others propose that AKELmust do or not do. We are guided by the interests of the people; theinterests of the working people. The “Theses” before you today in theCongress have a concrete orientation, a class based orientation. Theyare in confrontation with the establishment, conservatism, racism, na-tionalism and chauvinism. They give our Party strength to struggleagainst all that is threatening the future of our people and working peo-ple’s gains.

>> According to figures re-leased by the European Com-mission, the profitability ofbusinesses in Cyprus has in-creased by 10.5%. In 2014 thisprofitability will reach thehighest point of the last 20years. At the same time wagesby the end of 2014 will be re-duced by 30%, profits of 4.2billion Euros a year will berecorded and wages of 500Euros or less per month.

Our Party was not founded by the privileged few, spoiled and “enlight-ened”. AKEL, the Party of the People, was formed because it was a his-torical need. Since then we have guided the people of Cyprus in theirbiggest and often bloody struggles. We fought together for the self-ev-ident right to live as Cypriots in a free homeland. We were at the fore-front of the struggles of the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots forwages. We won the battle with them for an eight hour working day, so-cial insurance, the Automatic Cost of Living Allowance and other im-portant labour and workers’ rights, through bloody class battles. Weopened up the consciousness of the workers and farmers through theactivities of our local educational, cultural and sports clubs. We putour own mark on every one of the biggest and most important socialand political popular gains, through our presence and struggles.

(...)

This Congress will of course also discuss economic issues. The debateon how things developed in the Cyprus economy has been conductedmany times. Superficial and fanatical analyses of the type “Christofiasand AKEL are to blame for everything” are not convincing anymore.

As time passes each and every one can understand that whatever mayhave happened during the Christofias administration, the workingpeople, young, small and medium businesses, the popular strata, hadan ally in the

President Anastasiades was elected because he managed to convincethe majority of people that he could do better. He pledged that therewas no way he would accept a haircut/levy on bank deposits; that hehad concluded two interstate loansthat would give him the ease to ne-gotiate with the Troika in order tochange painful provisions of theMemorandum. He pledged that hehad no intention of implementingprivatizations. Eventually all thathappened in March 2013 gave an-other meaning to the word “pledge”.

Overnight, Cyprus became theguinea pig of the lenders. The “bigEuropean family” made Cyprus thebiggest victim of “family violence”.The banking sector was restruc-tured and downsized forcibly, caus-ing households and SMEs andother businesses to face unprece-dented difficulties in meeting theirobligations. Additional cuts in public spending were imposed leadingto significantly reduced available income for consumption. The Anas-tasiades Government accepted privatizations, a decision that pavedthe way for selling-off public property.

The Anastasiades Government claims that the Memorandum isthe only way forward. We say that the Memorandum is a dead-endpath. The Cyprus economy registers one of the worst figures in thefield of development. For 2013 the “optimistic scenario” foreseesa recession of 5.5%. The public debt has already surpassed 110%

of the GDP, while the Troika’s evaluations say that by 2016 therewill be no primary surplus to reverse the exponential course reg-istered. Unemployment has reached at the end of November17.5%, while youth unemployment exceeds 40%. Non-performingloans in the banking sector have reached €24,1 billion, whilebanks have stopped lending to the real economy, leading to the re-cession deepening.

One year after the implementation of the Memorandum, the peopleare anxiously waiting for the “spring” promised by Mr. Anastasiades.The people do not see it on the horizon. They are daily experiencingthe government’s conviction that “the difficult times have passed.”However what the people are living are the real difficulties they en-counter every day, difficulties that are suffocating them day to day in apolicy designed to serve the profits of the privileged few. I am not justtalking about the Troika’s demands, but also about the political deci-sions taken by the Government. How else can one interpret the factthat everyone, without exception, was called upon to pay tax onimmovable property to alleviate, as the Minister of Interior hadpublicly stated, “those who will kick-start the economy”? Howelse can you interpret the policy decision to extend the openinghours of shops? Is there someone who does not know whose de-mand this was and to whom it will bring profits to, strangling thou-sands of small and middle strata?

How can we be optimistic and say that the “difficult times are over”?Just a few months ago new provisions were incorporated in the Mem-orandum; provisions prohibiting the protection of the primary resi-dence from confiscations; provisions prohibiting the reduction ofinterest rates. These provisions render the infrastructures for the nat-

ural gas to the dictates of the Troika. How confident can we be, whenthe cuts in education and health will rise to more than 70 millionEuros?

Unfortunately the compliments given by the Troika to the Govern-ment are not enough to offer a way out to the thousands of Cypriotsfacing the future with uncertainty. Whenever AKEL points out thedeadlock in which the Cyprus is being plunged, it faces the same repet-itive degradation: “AKEL should shut up.” AKEL will not abandon itsright and duty to defend the people and workers. It will continue to

struggle, both inside and outside Parliament. It will continue and in-tensify its efforts to mobilize the people to raise the voice of protestagainst the storm of policies against the peoples interests.

AKEL will continue to speak out. That is why it is also submitting pro-posals The time has come for the Anastasiades Government to stoppreparing just dictates and start listening; to create preconditions forconsultation, before it’s too late. It’s time for President Anastasiades tobe more beneficial for the country and less likeable to the Troika; torethink the proposals we tabled for the proper management of our nat-ural wealth, reducing rents and safeguard the protection of primaryresidence; to suspend the prosecution for debts to the public sector,the restructuring and extension of loans, settlement of the financial ob-ligations of SMEs and to cancel the decree extending the openinghours of shops. It’s time to begin to govern, not simply to obey theTroika’s orders.

Across the whole of Europe the Troika is being questioned and chal-lenged. We certainly do not believe that its abolition is enough, if itspolicies are not reversed in practice. Those in power and governmentare the only ones daring not to resist the lenders. Throughout Europethe future of the Eurozone itself is under discussion for some time.Politicians, academics, economists and analysts are debating, re-flecting and exchanging opinions. Only in Cyprus is this dialoguenot permitted. Only in Cyprus , where for the first time a compre-hensive study to exit the Memorandum and for orderly exit fromthe Euro zone was submitted, are we not allowed to reflect andhave a debate. The analysis of AKEL came to the conclusion that anexit from the Memorandum also means an exit from the Euro. How-ever such a serious decision cannot be taken without reflection andconsultation. This is precisely the reason why we issued an appeal toPresident Anastasiades to discuss collectively how we can come upwith solutions to the problem that exists. So far, we receive only scornand aphorisms, which among other things, insults everyone’s intelli-gence.

What do they reply? “AKEL wants us to leave the Euro. This meansthat we will also leave the European Union.” Are the ten Member Statesof the European Union which are outside the Eurozone perhaps out-side the EU? Lets clear things up yet once more. AKEL is unequivo-cally in favour of Europe – however, not the Europe which thefriends of Mr. Anastasiades have built. We are in favour of the Eu-rope of peace and democracy; in favour of the Europe of socialjustice, solidarity and cohesion; in favour of the Europe of thepeoples.

“The proposal of AKEL is naive, frivolous and superficial.” The pro-posal of AKEL is well though out, and includes economic, legal andtechnical parameters, which I wish if only everyone had them in mindat the time when we were accepting disastrous demands such as thehaircut/levy on bank deposits. Unless that is we consider as naive, su-perficial and frivolous Nobel Prize winners, economists like Mr. Pis-sarides or Paul Krugman who raised exactly the same concerns.

“With AKEL’s proposal there will be terrible shortages in importedproducts and medicines.” I will not go into detail to answer this claim,but will just ask the obvious. Aren’t they aware that there are alreadyshortages in medicines – shortages leading to patients deaths? Butthere is another issue. With income reduced to a minimum as a resultof the Memorandum how easy is it today for a household to buy animported product or medicines? “Either a Memorandum or bank-ruptcy” they say. But can someone describe to us how different is bank-ruptcy from what we are living through today?

“They should look at Ireland which has succeeded” is the last argumentof those who insist on seeing the Memorandum as the only alternative.In Ireland, the recession of recent years has affected the price of im-movable property so much that the value of the guarantees on theloans given by banks has fallen to an extent that a new program of re-capitalization of the Irish banks may be necessary in the future. Thetotal depreciation suffered by the Irish economy has significantly re-duced the standard of living of the Irish people. The main thing how-

ever is that Ireland’s exit from the Memorandum is frail. Ireland hasnot been relieved of austerity unemployment and privatizations. Theonly difference is that now the Memorandum is now the official policyof the Government, as an ideology that has infused the country’s eco-nomic policy.

AKEL did not elaborate its study for an exit from the Memorandumto follow events by judging from afar. We shall submit to the President,besides the proposals I have mentioned, other proposals as well as tosupport the economy and tackle unemployment plaguing the country,with the hope they will be promoted by the Government. We will con-tinue to strive to protect those who are in need, especially now thatpoverty is growing.

We are confident that AKEL will emerge stronger from this Congress.Let’s be honest: we have been under such political attack in recentyears, that one could say that doubts were raised in a section ofAKEL’s supporters. However our Party has never overcome thedifficulties by questioning its own self, as it has never allowed thequalitative difference from the other parties to be questioned. Wemust all realize that we are responsible to the party whenever weidentify or tolerate phenomena alien to the party life of AKEL.

Behaviours such as self-motivating ambitions, self-promotion, the de-velopment of cliental relationships are alien to the status of a memberof AKEL Moreover, they must remain so if we are not to lose the con-fidence with which we the people have entrusted in us for 90 years.The leadership of the Party, but also all the party cadres, should be res-olute and dare I say merciless and implacable on this issue.

AKEL is not only those who are in this hall today. AKEL is so manyothers outside this conference hall, waiting for us to reaffirm the roleof the radical force that is the peoples shield. We have no right to dis-appoint them. For this reason we should not get bogged down in dis-

cussions, but devote all our energies in the work that lies ahead.

AKEL is not the daily work of its full-time cadres. It is the people’s riverof thousands who can be found anywhere, in neighbourhoods, localclubs and communities. AKEL is not only the party cadres and mem-bers. It is also all of these politicized people with whom we can meetin joint actions, for the modernization and democratization of the stateand society. It is all these people who are suffocating from the outdatedperceptions that want to keep our society tied to the old and rotten.We may have our own analysis on society and the economy, about thesystem in which we live, but that does not mean we cannot talk withthem, hear ideas and positions and to take joint initiatives.

Many were quick to throw down the flags in the avenues we struggled.

Many others claimed that our guidelines andhorizons had changed.

Many others believed that they were doing us a favour by tolerating us.

They were not all just a few. However, they are also not enough to make us

yield and surrender because the Peoples Move-ment of the Left,

all of us, no one is able to stop us each time we stand up

and resist, defend this country, win for the people and safeguard the future!

The Central Committee of AKEL convened on the 20thof December 2013 to elect new members to the CentralSecretariat of the C.C and the Political Bureau.

As Andros Kyprianou, GS of AKEL stated four members of theSecretariat of the Central Committee and five members of thePolitical Bureau announced their desire to step down.

Furthermore, the Parliamentary Spokesman of AKEL Nicos Kat-sourides expressed his desire to step down from this positionfrom the moment that he would also step down from both thePolitical Bureau and the Secretariat of the C.C. Given the situa-tion, the Central Committee discussed nominations both for thePolitical Bureau and the Secretariat and after a secret ballot ar-rived at the following results.

Newly elected members of the 19member Political Bureau bythe C.C are Giorgos Loucaides, Toumazos Tsiellepis, GiorgosGeorgiou, Chrystalla Antoniou and Christos Christofides.

Regarding the 7member Secretariat of the C.C election whichfollowed given that its members come from the Political Bureau,the members who were elected by the Central Committee wereNicos Ioannou, Giorgos Loucaides, Stefanos Stefanou, andNeoklis Sylikiotis. These four comrades, with the GS of AKELAndros Kyprianou, the Organisational Secretary of the PartyChristos Alekou and the GS of PEO (trade union) Pampis Kyritsisconsist the Secretariat of the C.C. of AKEL.

In his statement after the announcement of the result, AndrosKyprianou said that "the Plenary of the C.C has completed a debatethat began in the Party's bodies since last June when discussionsbegan on the Secretariat of the C.C "regarding whether we wouldproceed decisively towards renewal and also in order to respond toissues also raised by the Party base membership, but also by the de-mands of Cypriot society itself."

"The process of renewal is on-going and we believe that it en-hances the capabilities of the Party to respond more effectivelyto the challenges ahead", noted the General Secretary of AKEL.

The GS of AKEL added that this concept of renewal and how theParty could address some other issues began with an exchange of

Nikos Ioannou

Neoklis SilikiotisStefanos Stefanou

Giorgos Loukaides

New members of the Central Secretariat and Political Bureau of AKEL

views at the level of the Secretariat. Subsequently, the discussionexpanded to the Political Bureau and the C.C. "Through the reflec-tion conducted in the Secretariat and Political Bureau changes weredecided at three levels. First and foremost, for changes in the sameGeneral Secretariat where five members of the PB announced theirdecision to step down, giving the opportunity to move towards apartial renewal of the Secretariat.

In the recent 2010 Party Congress we had a big renewal in the Sec-

retariat, around 50% of its members and it now includes five newmembers, noted the General Secretary of AKEL.

The GS of AKEL thanked the cadres stepping down from the Sec-retariat and Political Bureau, namely Venizelos Zanettos, FanisChristodoulou, Nicos Katsourides, Yiannakis Colokasides andNicos Petrou, stating that "They have all contributed decisively to-wards AKEL reaching the position it is today, that is to say high inthe consciousness of Cypriot society."

Yiannos Lamaris

Toumazos TsielepisChristos ChristophidesGiorgos Georgiou Chrystalla Antoniou

On the 7th of January, the Plenary of the C.C. of AKEL also dealt with the issue of the election of anew Parliamentary Spokesman of AKEL, as provided for in the relevant article of the Party Consti-tution.

Since the Plenary was informed about the position expressed by the Parliamentary Group of AKELon the issue it decided, through a ballot, to elect Yiannos Lamaris to the position of ParliamentarySpokesman of the Party.

Stefanos Stefanou

The renewal of the Secretariat and the Po-litical Bureau was preceded by the changein the leadership in three out of five DistrictParty Committees.

Stefanos Stefanou elected Secretary ofAKEL of Nicosia-Keryneia, GiorgosGeorgiou Secretary of AKEL of Limassoland Chrysanthos Zannettos Secretary ofAKEL of Famagusta.

Chrysanthos ZannettosGiorgos Georgiou

Changes in the leadership of three District Party Committees

Yiannos Lamaris, the new Parliamentary Spokesman of AKEL

More than 10,000 people gathered in Nicosia streets on the14th of December, in one of the bigger mobilizations thathave taken place in Cyprus during the last years, con-

demning the austerity measures, the demolition of the workers’ con-quests and the plans for privatizations.

The mobilization was organized by the majority of the Cypriot tradeunions (“PEO” which is the biggest and class based trade union ofCyprus and “DEOK” which is affiliated with Socialdemocrats), “EKA”(Cyprus Farmers Association), PSEM (Secondary Education StudentUnion), Universities’ students’ unions and EKYSY (pensioners union).AKEL and EDON backed and participated actively in the mobilizationthat had taken place outside the Finance Ministry and afterwards infront of the Presidential Palace.

The united response of broad sections of the working people expressthe demand for another course and path, far from the suffocating poli-cies of the Troika and Brussels. The brutal and on-going cuts and at-tacks on workers rights and gains are taking place on all fronts. Thismass movement believes, despite its different class and political orien-tations, that the path of the Memorandum and the Troika is a dead-end path and that as long as Cyprus is proceeding on this course themore it will be plunged into even greater deadlocks and problems, asis the case of the other countries under a Memorandum.

The massive participation of people and organizations in the mobiliza-tion has given the message that the huge mobilization was just the be-ginning of a social struggle that it is going to be continued. The messageto the government and the EU was clear: their policies will not pass

without social resistance and struggle – an alternative progressive pathis possible.

The Cypriot people against austerity and the Troika’s Memorandum

>> Cyprus’ class basedtrade union organisationPEO (Pancyprian Feder-ation of Labour) is play-ing a pioneering role inforging class unity andjoint action, and is inthe front line of all thedaily "small" and bigstruggles.

“Hands off pensioners”“Construction workers: Stop the mockery - Take measures for the unemployment”

“Hands off Education - Students - Our Future”

On February 8th, a new massprotest mobilisation took place or-ganised by over 20 trade union andsocial organisation in Nicosia.

Thousands of workers, farmers,pensioners, workers in the publicsector, teachers, pupils, studentsand others took part in the sym-bolic encirclement of the Ministryof Finance and Labour, the "Houseof Europe" and the CooperativeCentral Bank at the same timewhen the Anastasiades govern-ment and the delegation of theTroika were locked in talks insidethe Ministries formulating the newupdated Memorandum....

The organized Pensioners rejectthe cuts in their gains

The “EKISI” (progressive Pension-ers’ Organization) organized severaldemonstrations outside the FinanceMinistry during the last months.One of the biggest demonstrationshad taken place on the 5th of De-cember. The pensioners is one ofthe main groups of the society thathave been affected by the austeritymeasures with 30% reductions inthe pensions, abolition of severalrights (free access in public busesand public medical services, Easter’ssubsidy), VAT increase etc.

Student mobilizations against school bus fares

PSEM (Pancyprian School Students Union)organised mass mobilisations throughout

Cyprus against the introduction of fares onschool buses on 7th November. The students

demanded from the Ministers of Transportand Education that they abandon

their efforts to introduce fares inpublic school buses.

The free access to public buses forstudents, a long-term demand of

the PSEM and EDON, was ameasure implemented by the pre-

vious government of DemetrisChristofias.

During the last years in Cyprus several factors and institu-tions of the society such as the Church, the Red Crossand entrepreneurs have established several funds and net-

works of social assistance for people facing the most negative con-sequences of the capitalist crisis. AKEL has decided apart fromproviding its Political Proposal regarding an exit from the Memo-randum with the Troika and being in the front of the struggle of theworking class, to establish a solidarity mechanism for the socialstrata in need for socio-economic assistance.

Thus, District Committees of the Party in each of the five re-gions of the country and mass organizations of the progressivePopular Movement such as PEO (trade union), EDON (youthorganization), POGO (women’s organization) and EKA (farm-ers movement) have established the Popular Social SolidarityNetwork that aims to the aid provision and active support topeople facing grave socio-economic obstacles due to the eco-nomic-capitalist crisis.

Within the network various social forces and freelancers joined vol-untarily by providing free services (e.g. doctors, teachers, lawyersetc).

The Network is coordinated by an Administrative Committee andis offering services in eight basic domains: Information-Guidance-Psychosocial Center, Educational Assistance (free courses to stu-dents), Financial Guidance Center (Counselors for dealing withissues such as debts etc), Medical Services, Center of Guidance tounemployed people, Legal Assistance (free legal advices), Provisionof clothing and Entertainment Center for the youth (involvingyoung people in cultural and sporting associations and events). Anyperson is able to come in contact with the Network and ask relevantassistance in the above domains and the personnel of the Networkis responding accordingly.

Popular Social Solidarity Network

EDONUnited Democratic Youth Organisation

PEOPancyprian Federation of Labour

(trade union)

POGO Women’s Movement

EKACyprus Farmers Union

>> semi-state organisations of electricity, telecommunications and ports

Social struggle against privatisationsThe Electricity Authority of Cyprus, the Cyprus TelecommunicationsAuthority and the Cyprus Ports Authority are the three main Semi-state organizations in Cyprus. They have always been profitable organ-izations generating significant revenues for the State of Cyprus, whilstthey carried out autonomously an important social work too.

Their privatisation was the long-standing target for big capital of ourcountry and its party, Democratic Rally DISY, which also constitutedits official position. During the decade 1993-2003 when DISY wasagain in power, attempts were made to privatize them, on the pretextof the liberalization of the market that was imposed in these sectors bythe EU during Cyprus' accession process. Indeed, at that time DISYhad predicted for example that the Cyprus Telecommunications Au-thority would collapse in the environment of free competition. How-ever, the social reaction had then stopped these plans and theSemi-state organizations continued to be profitable and enjoy the sup-port of the overwhelming majority of society.

The dire economic situation in Cyprus - due to the collapse of its bank-ing system - and the subsequent recourse to the Troika again broughtback the issue of the privatization of the Semi-state organisations. Inthe negotiations for the drawing up of the Memorandum, theChristofias government strongly rejected the Troika's demandsfor their privatization.

During the election campaign for the presidential elections of February2013, the current President of Cyprus and President of the DemocraticRally N. Anastasiades was forced to completely revise his positions,sending a written commitment to all the employees working in theSemi-state organizations and to the Democratic Party (with whom ithad in the meantime formed an alliance) that he will not proceed toany privatizations, whilst leaving the possibility open for some form

of joints t o c kc o m p a -nies.

A K E Land itsc a n d i d a t ewarned theworkers thatthey shouldnot believe thepre-elec-tion mu-tations ofthe Dem-o c r a t i cR a l l yparty.

A K E Lstressedthat neither privatization nor joint stock companies must be acceptedbut instead the Semi-state organizations should be modernized, with-out changing their ownership and that their social mission should con-tinue.

The election of Anastasiades however to the Presidency of theState led to the conclusion of a Memorandum that was vehementlyagainst the people and their interests, which inter alia includedthe privatization of the three Semi-state organisations. Indeed, al-though the government initially tried to present privatization as a "nec-

Not for sale!

essary evil" imposed by the Troika for the loan to be given to Cyprus,subsequently it began to argue in favour of the benefits of privatizationand that privatisations should have been carried out long ago. Besides,the Troika's spokeswoman herself, Delia Velculescu in an interviewmade it clear that privatizations "are not just about the money" but be-cause this is the orientation that they want to impose on the Cypruseconomy. The relevant statements made by the Minister of Finance tothe British daily newspaper "Daily Telegraph" that "We're aligned withthe Troika ... The memorandum could have been our own manifesto. It's achance to correct our own shortcomings, and do what should have beendone in Cyprus long ago" are on their own quite revealing about the gov-ernment's true positions.

Workers in the Semi-state organizations have now realized the greatdeception that was committed against them by the Democratic Rallyparty and Anastasiades. Strikes and demonstrations are taking placerepeatedly since the beginning of 2014. A large section of society un-derstands that privatization means the selling off of public property,the surrender and transfer of profitable organizations into the handsof private monopolies, sackings and price increases. As AKEL pointsout, apart from the ideological and economic aspects of the issue,there is also the issue of national security of the state (40% of theterritory of which is under the military occupation of Turkey)which in the event of privatizations will lose control of the ports,the telecommunications and electricity with all that this wouldentail.

The government violated Parliament's Rules to pass privatizations On the 27th February, despite all the relentless government propa-ganda and blackmail promoted by the mass media, the Bill tabled forprivatisations failed to get an absolute majority with 25 for, 25 againstand 5 abstentions, rendering the Bill null. 19 AKEL MP's, 5 MP's fromthe Socialdemocratic party EDEK and 1 Green MP voted against,whilst 5 MPs of the centre DIKO party (which under its new leader-

ship decided to exit the government coalition due to disagreementson the Cyprus problem) abstained. Outside the House thousands ofworkers and people demonstrated, following the 2 day debate after acall by 18 trade union and social organisations.

The vote was followed by a new wave of blackmail arguing that Cypruswill not receive the next instalment from the Troika and consequentlythe state will collapse. As Andros Kyprianou, the General Secretary ofAKEL pointed out, it is obvious that there is a collusion between theTroika and the Anastasiades government to exert pressure on theHouse. Just hours after the rejection, the government resubmitted thesame Bill with decorative changes. AKEL sent a letter to Speaker of theHouse pointing out that such an action violates the rules of the House,urging him not to accept the tabling of the topic for discussion. Thisaction by the government wasn’t just disrespectful to the House ofRepresentatives; it humiliated the institutions, dealt a blow to democ-racy and degraded the dignity of citizens and society.

In the next session of the House on 4th March 2014, only the AKELMP's backed the position that the issue cannot be re-discussed.Subsequently, a second vote was held, where DIKO voted for the Bill,claiming that it was satisfied by the government's amendments to theBill. Therefore, the Bill for privatisations was approved with 30 infavour (20 from the governing DISY party, 8 from DIKO party, 1 MPfrom the right-wing EVROKO and 1 from an independent MP),whilst 26 voted against (19 from AKEL, 5 from EDEK, 1 Green MPand 1 MP from the "Citizens Coalition").

The approval of the Bill does not represent the end of the struggle be-cause several stages will follow for its implementation in practice. Theclass-based trade union movement of PEO was and will continue tobe in the front line of the struggle. The whole of the Peoples Movementof the Left, headed by AKEL, is devoted to the struggle which will con-tinue!

Delegation of AKEL in Turkey

Delegation of AKEL headed bythe General Secretary of theCC AKEL visited Turkey be-

tween the 19th and 21th of January afterthe invitation received by the TurkishCommunist Party (TKP), where theyhad a series of contacts. The delegationwas also attended by CostasChristodoulides member of the CC andHead of the Bureau of International andEuropean Affairs of the CC AKEL andby Marina Savva, Office Director of A.Kyprianou. In addition to meetings held

in Turkey, A. Kyprianou attended as speaker on the Cyprus Issue at aconference of GPOT Center of Istanbul Kultur University while healso met with the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

The Turkish communists call for a just solution ofthe Cyprus problemThe member of the CC the TKP, Kemal Okuyan, who met in Istanbulwith the delegation of the party, reiterated the support of the Turkishcommunists in the anti-occupation struggle of all Cypriots. After anexchange of views on the Cyprus problem, they came to the conclusionthat it is urgent to solve the problem in a just manner, but they notedthat the developments are negative. The TKP suggested that the po-litical situation in Turkey has become more intense and the Cyprusproblem has deteriorated dramatically in the public debate in the coun-try. We remind that the TKP has diachronically favoured a settlementof the Cyprus problem away from the imperialist interventions thathave created it in the first place. The TKP demands the termination ofthe Turkish military occupation and colonization, while it stresses thatthe solution of the Cyprus problem should release the island from allforeign military bases. The TKP supports - through its Decisions - thepolicies of AKEL on a solution based on principles. At the same time,the TKP supports solidarity between peoples and workers of Cyprus,Turkey and Greece for their release from imperialist interventions.

At the meeting with K. Okuyan, after analysing the developments inthe region, it was affirmed that the only way is the common struggleagainst the cries of war of the powerful of the earth trying to reshapethe Middle East in a way that serves the interests of the "new worldorder". The two parties reaffirmed their position of resistance againstforeign interventions and the policy of “divide and rule”, tools used tospread bloodshed in a number of countries in the region. The TKPalso indicated that the neo - Ottoman policy of the Erdogan govern-ment created and is facing several difficulties, focusing on the inter-vention in Syria.

The meeting also dealt with the economic and political developments

in Turkey. The TKP noted that the economic situation in Turkey(termed "economic miracle" of neoliberal circles and the Erdogan gov-ernment itself) is based on a bubble as it was the economy of Greecea few years ago. Additionally, the TKP underlined the necessity for themasses in Turkey to promote the struggle for their own alternative in-stead of a choice between the reactionaries former allies of RecepTayyip Erdogan and Fethullah Gulen. The TKP reiterated that it strug-gles for socialism and sent the message that it fights for: the immediateresignation of the government of Erdogan and President Gul, clearingthe state from religious reactionary battalions, trial of those involvedin corruption, re-trial of all civil proceedings against Erdogan, prose-cution of those responsible for the deadly crackdown last summer, thedemocratization of justice, removal of the electoral threshold of 10%and trial of those who were involved in war crimes in the interventionin Syria.

Meeting of AKEL with ODPThe delegation of AKEL also met with the co-chairmanof the "Party of Freedom and Solidarity” (ODP), BilgeSequin. They discussed the situation in Turkey, espe-cially in the social sphere. Bilge Sequin suggested thatthe movement during the events of the park Geza sum-mer of 2013 was greatly reinforced by young people of18-34 years since, according to surveys, young peopleexceeded 60% of the protesters. The co-chair of the ODP deemed thatthe role and undemocratic way by which Erdogan used to crush theprotesters was not enough to crash the movement, while it subsidedonly when the movement itself deemed it necessary. At the same time,ODP suggests that Erdogan may be facing great opposition from theoutside, but he is actually the dominant figure in AKP.

We remind that the ODP program supports a peaceful solution of theCyprus problem on the basis of a bi-communal, bi-zonal federationwhere Greek and Turkish Cypriots will co-exist peacefully.

The GS of the CC of AKEL, Andros Kyprianou with the member of the C.C. of TKP, Kemal Okuyan,

during AKEL’s visit in Turkey on January 2014.

Andros Kyprianou as keynote speaker at the University of Instanbul Kultur: Federation theonly solution to the Cyprus problem

Finally, the General Secretary of the CC of AKEL was the key speakerat an event on the Cyprus problem held at the Istanbul Culture Uni-versity, entitled "Recent developments in the Cyprus problem. Whichare the prospects?". Andros Kyprianou stressed that only a federationmay be accepted as the solution to the Cyprus problem, rejecting the

division of Cyprus into two states. He also emphasized that the statusquo cannot continue for much longer because it will lead to a solutionof two states, adding that this is why AKEL seeks the initiation of thetalks soon. "In the past, T/C and G/C lived peacefully. Why can’t theyagain?" asked A. Kyprianou.

At the same time, the General Secretary of the CC of AKEL pointedto the intransigent and delaying tactics of the Turkish Cypriot leaderDervis Eroglu in the talks, as opposed to the convergences reached on

specific issues during the negotiations with the previousT/C leader, Mehmet Ali Talat. Additionally, Andros Kypri-anou reiterated that the support for Turkey's european ac-cession course, is dependent upon Turkey fulfilling all itsobligations, clarifying however that the opening of chapters23 and 24 that Ankara is now asking, the reasons why they

were blocked still hold.

Finally, the Secretary of the CC of AKEL saidthat "the natural resources of island, includingthe hydrocarbons, are the common heritage ofall Cypriots and therefore within the frame-work of a solution, our Turkish Cypriot com-patriots must be assured that they will enjoythose benefits of this invaluable good."

AKEL-French Communist Party

meeting in Paris

TheGeneral Secretary of the C.C. of AKEL AndrosKyprianou today had a meeting in Paris with theGeneral Secretary of the French Communist

Party (FCP) and President of the European Left Party Pierre Laurent.

During the discussion the General Secretary of AKEL briefed his in-terlocutor on the latest developments which led to the resumption ofthe negotiations on the Cyprus problem. Furthermore, he explainedthe importance this effort has for the Cypriot people to be based onthe correct principles and arrive at a positive result. He called on theGS of the FCP to support the efforts of the Greek Cypriot side and tocontribute so that Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side cooperate onthe basis of the agreed framework.

The General Secretary of AKEL also briefed his interlocutor about thedevelopments on the Cyprus economy after last year's decisions takenby the Eurogroup and President Anastasiades. Criticising the policiesof the European Union he noted that despite the congratulationswhich the Troika is giving to the Anastasiades government for its im-

plementation of the Memorandum the reality is completely different.He stressed that unemployment is growing constantly, wages and pen-sions are being forcibly curbed, the imposition of privatisations andother policies against the people and their interests is being attempted,whilst people's inability of paying off their loans will possibly lead tothe confiscation of their properties.

Pierre Laurent expressed his support of the efforts for the solution ofthe Cyprus problem, underlining that at every national and interna-tional level FCP will support the positions of the Greek Cypriot side.With regards the economy, Pierre Laurent expressed his agreementwith the criticism being exercised against the policies of the EuropeanUnion, stressing that FCP is exerting pressure on President Hollandeto differentiate himself from Merkel's policies.

Finally, the leaders of the two Parties exchanged views on the Europeanelections, stressing the importance the strengthening of the Left hasfor the peoples of Europe in this election campaign.

AKEL along with the group of the Left (GUE / NGL) in theEuropean Parliament held on the 16th October in the Euro-pean Parliament in Brussels, a seminar - discussion called

"Against the war and the intervention in the Middle East."

The speakers at the event were representatives from AKEL, the Com-munist Party of Turkey, the Communist Party of Israel, the PalestinianPeople's Party, the Egyptian Communist Party, the Tudeh Party of Iranand a written contribution was sent by the Lebanese Communist Party.Insurmountable difficulties, due to the situation in the country, pre-vented the representative of the Syrian Communist Party from travel-ling to Brussels.

The developments in Syria and the deterrence of a direct military in-tervention due to the Russian intervention, the role of Turkey, the risksfor Lebanon, the situation in Egypt after the overthrow of Morsi, thestruggle of the Palestinian people against the Israeli occupation, thenuclear arsenal of Israel and the manoeuvres of the Iranian theocraticregime in the negotiations over its nuclear programme were the mainissues touched upon by the speakers.At the same time, representatives from parties in the GUE / NGL, suchas as the Communist Party of Greece, the Portuguese CommunistParty, the French Communist Party, the Communist Party of Bohemia

and Moravia, theWorkers' Party ofBelgium, the UnitedLeft of Spain, DieLinke of Germanyand the representa-tive of the PolisarioFront of WesternSahara contributedwith their inter-ventions in the de-bate that followed.Aside from notingthe role of the EU and the governments of its Mem-ber State in the imperialist plans against the peoples of the Middle East,the role of the peace movements was highlighted by many parties.

The seminar comes on top to a number of initiatives taken up by AKEL– capitalising on its presence in GUE/NGL- on the Middle East inorder to provide a platform to the communist and left parties of theregion so that their anti-imperialist internationalist stance is heard.

Against the war and interventions in the Middle East

>> AKEL and GUE/NGL Seminar in Brussels

Haifa Conference - Middle East free from WMD

Giorgos Koukoumas, member of the International Relations Department ofAKEL represented AKEL at the International Conference "For a Middle Eastfree from weapons of mass destruction" held on 5-6th December 2013 in Haifaand contributed in the session under the title "The role of Europe in the face ofNuclearization of the Middle East and the Need for its Demilitarization."

Brochure published by AKEL and GUE/NGL with the seminar’s proceedings

Atthe same time when the peoples in Europe are sufferingfrom the policies of austerity and impoverishment im-posed on them, the ruling class in the European Union is

preparing to launch yet another military operation in the CentralAfrican Republic. As AKEL has repeatedly pointed out, the competi-tion and rivalries between the powerful centres of the world for thecontrol of the energy sources, pipelines and markets - in the conditionsof a crisis - are evolving into dangerous war and military adventures.

In this case, the Central African Republic was a French colony for yearswhich was not allowed to develop its in-dependence. The "divide and rule" policywas implemented and the colonialists en-forced their rule. Today, the excuse givenfor the intervention is the humanitariancrisis. Once again, the role of the UnitedNations is being substituted. We wonderwhether this is the role that the EU prom-ised to its peoples.

The Cypriot people and all the peoples ofthe EU should be aware that since 2002,the EU has intervened militarily / politi-cally more than twenty times in threecontinents. Every European must askhimself/herself what geopolitical andeconomic interests are hidden behind thispolicy, if all these actions have made theEU a "global factor of peace" as it wasbeing advertised and promoted and ifthese policies have served the interests of

the peoples of the European continent.

In addition, AKEL points out that the recent EU decisions to increasethe investments in the arms industry and in military research constitutea threat to international peace and security. Furthermore, the an-nouncement that seven European countries have agreed cooperationto develop a program to manufacture unmanned military aircraftproves that the EU is determined to follow the U.S. on the path of usingkiller drones which are spreading death indiscriminately. Technologyand science are serving wars instead of being tools in the service of

peace, development and social prosper-ity. They are serving the interests of mo-nopoly companies and conglomerates,and especially those of the military andarms industry.

The Government and the relevant Min-ister must explain to the Cypriot peoplewhy they consent to these decisions.

Moreover, in view of the upcoming Eu-ropean elections in May, the people ofCyprus and all the peoples of the EUwill again face the dilemma: Do we want"more" of this kind of EU? Of NATO,militarization and the merchants of war?Or do we want the Europe of peace andof the peoples?

AKEL C.C. Press Office 15th January 2014

EU’s new military interventionCentral Africal Republic

Will Cyprus participate in the military intervention

in the Central African Republic?

As it is known the EU Foreign Affairs Councilunanimously decided on 20th January 2014 to giveits political consent for the waging of a military in-tervention in the Central African Republic in thename of "restoring order" and "humanitarian assis-tance."

AKEL through its MP and member of the ForeignAffairs Committee of Parliament Georgios Lou-caides tabled a question addressed towards the For-eign Minister of the Republic of Cyprus calling onhim to reply whether the governments intention isto participate in any way in the EU's military inter-vention in the Central African Republic.

We have witnessed during the last days a new attempt for under-mining the legally elected government of Nikolas Maduro inVenezuela. Several far-right opposition tendencies, with violentacts tried to create a new situation of instability in the country.

All these happen with the support to the opposition by the USAwhich find increasingly new imaginative methods for overthrow-ing governments. It is a matter of fact that the Bolivarian Revolu-tion remains an enemy of the imperialist interests, while insistsin the state management of the country’s oil reserves and standsagainst the prevailing of the local and foreign monopolies.

Additionally, several elements prove fraudulent misrepresentation

of the last developments in Venezuela by local media which followthe opposition’s propaganda. More specifically, it is appeared thatseveral pictures revealed by those media do not correspond to theactual facts of the last days in Venezuela but they are related withother points in time.

AKEL condemns the fraudulent and fascist attempts for over-throwing the legally elected government of Venezuela. Also it con-demns the involvement of third parties in the internal affairs ofanother country. Once more expresses its support towards theBolivarian Revolution as long as it remains in favor of the radicalpopular reforms, against the monopolies and in favor of the justdistribution of the national wealth.

On the 21st of February 2014 the General Secretary of the C.C.of AKEL Andros Kyprianou had a meeting with the Charge d’ Af-faires of the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela inCyprus, Jeanpierre Anaya Salas regarding the developments in thecountry.

It is obvious now that the different groups leading the demonstra-tions are supported financially by the American interests and aimat the overthrow of the legally elected government of Venezuela.

The efforts to destabitalize the country with provocations and sab-otage aim at hitching the country at the imperialist interests abol-

ishing the will and the choices of the sovereign people ofVenezuela.

AKEL condemns the foreign interventions in Venezuela andstands in solidarity with the people of Venezuela, fully supportingits right to decide itself the model of governance and the socioe-conomic system of the country.

AKEL concerns regarding the developments in Venezuela

Meeting of the G.S. of theC.C. AKEL with the Charge d’ Affaires of the Embassy of Venezuela

15th International Meeting of Communist and Workers' Parties

Costas Christodoulides,Head of the International andEuropean Affairs Bureau of theC.C. and member of the C.C.

represented AKEL at the 15th International Meeting of Communist andWorkers' Parties which was held on November 8-10, 2013, in Lisbon, withthe theme: “The deepening crisis of capitalism, the role of the working classand the Communists 'tasks in the struggle for workers' and peoples' rights.Imperialism's offensive, the realigment of forces on the international level,the national question, class emancipation and the struggle for socialism”.

19th Congress ofthe Communist

Party of Spain

Nikos Ioannou, member of the PoliticalBureau of the C.C. of AKEL represented AKEL at the19th Coagress of the Communist Party of Spain, held

on 15-17 November 2013 in Madrid.

13th Congress of the CommunistParty of Brazil (PCdoB)

Vera Polycarpou, member of the Central Com-mittee of AKEL, member of the InternationalRelations and European Affairs Bureau repre-sented at the 13th Congress of the CommunistParty of Brazil, which was held 13-14th Novem-

ber 2013, in São Paulo Brasil.

Vera Polycarpou attended also the Internation Meeting organised byPcdoB on the “Trends of the international situation: the crisis of capital-ism; the world in transition; the imperialist offensive and the resistance ofthe peoples and nations; the integration of Latin America and theCaribbean; the internationalism and the struggle for socialism today.”

GUE/NGLseminar in

Spain

A 4-memberdelegation ofAKEL attended the initiative of the Group of Left inthe European Parliament (GUE/NGL) which was heldon the 23th of November in Madrid under the title“The crisis in EU: Resistance and struggles in thecountries under memorandum”.

Christos Tombazos, member of the CC of AKEL andOrganisation Secretary of the trade union of PEO,Toula Antoniou member of the District Committee ofNicosia-Keryneia, Charis Polycarpou member of theEconomic Department of the C.C. and EliasDemetriou member of the International Relations De-partment of the C.C. participated in the delegation andalso attended the mass demonstration held on 24th ofNovember in Madrid.

Meeting of the Working Group ofthe IMCWP in Lebanon

Elias Demetriou, member of the InternationalRelations Bureau of the C.C. of AKEL repre-sented AKEL at the meeting of the WorkingGroup of the International Meeting of Com-munist and Workers Parties held in Beirut on

the 22nd of February 2014 and which was hosted by the Lebanese Com-munist Party, and attended by 20 delegates representing 15 countries fromvarious continents. The WG of the IMCWP agreed on holding the 16thmeeting for communist and workers parties in November 2014 inEcuador.

7th Congress of JVP of Sri Lanka

Yiannakis Skordis, member of the Central Committee of AKEL represented AKEL on the 7thCongress of the People’s Liberation Front ( JVP) of

Sri Lanka, held on 2th of February, in Colombo.

Meeting of Left Parties inNetherlands

Giorgos Loucaides, member ofthe PB of the CC of AKEL repre-sented the Party at the confer-

ence of modern left parties from eleven Europeancountries which was held by the Socialist Party of Nether-lands, on 18-19 January 2014 in Amersfoort.

Message to the Portuguese CommunistParty on the occasion of the birth Centenary of PCP’s historical leader Alvaro Cunhal

Dear comrades,

The Central Committee of AKEL, the members of our Party and thecadres of AKEL that have met Alvaro Cunhal convey the warm greet-ings to your Party and join you in the commemoration on the birthCentenary of the historical leader of your Party, comrade Alvaro Cun-hal. The commemoration events that you organize are a flashback forus to the great sacrifices of Alvaro Cunhal but also the sacrifices of thecommunists during the 20th century fighting for people’s emancipa-tion and the socialist society; against fascism and dictatorships; de-fending the

workers’ rights. Alvaro Cunhal has been a great symbol among thosecommunists. He had remained a brave fighter for all his life until theend despite the great obstacles on his path. He chose to remain con-stant to his ideas although he had to pass for several years in the prisonsof the fascist regime in Portugal. During the years of his imprisonment,he expressed his vision for democracy and socialism as an artist andas a theorist. He left behind a significant theoretical legacy that has in-spired and orientated the struggle of the Portuguese Communist Partyand the Portuguese people towards social progress. He has become asymbol of resistance against fascism and defense for democracy duringthe years of the dictatorship and as a leader of the Portuguese Com-munist Party he has been in the forefront of the opposition against thedictatorial regime. He had an effective contribution to the preparationof the April’s Revolution in 1974 and the overthrow of the fascistregime. Afterwards, during the years of the political transition in Por-tugal, he worked in the direction of defending the workers’ rights andbecame a significant personality of the international communist move-ment. He contributed to the struggles for international solidarity with

the peoples of the world against imperialism and war.

He has been a significant friend of AKEL, Cyprus and the Cypriot peo-ple towards their struggle against the Turkish occupation and the goalfor the reunification of the island. His ideals are timely, especially inthe current terms of the great attack of the capitalist monopolies andtheir political representatives against the working people in Portugaland the world. The crisis of capitalism is used as a pretext for the attackagainst workers’ rights that have been gained with sacrifices. The streetsof Portugal, full of demonstrators by the organized working class inPortugal and the world, pave the way forward. The workers in Portugaland the world shall get inspired and orientated by the legacy of AlvaroCunhal and other significant comrades of the communist movement.

With this occasion, we would like to reaffirm the excellent relationsbetween our two Parties as these have been established through theyears. Once more, we express our determination for continuation andfurther enhancement of these relations.

Comradely Regards, The Central Committee of AKEL 18/11/2013

Message to the Communist Party ofChile

Comrade Guillermo Teillier, President of the Communist Party of Chile

I would like to extend the sincere congratulations of the CentralCommittee of AKEL to your Party for the results of last Sunday’selections in Chile.

The increase of the representation of your Party in the Chilean Par-liament with the election of 6 Deputies, including the President ofyour Party, is undoubtedly a great achievement. Furthermore, thesuccessful results for the electoral coalition “Nueva Mayoria” andthe presidential candidate Michelle Bachelet are very positive de-velopments. We are certain that these results indicate the support

of the people of Chile toyour struggles for socialprogress, democracy, work-ers’ rights and reform of thepolitical system that still car-ries on the heritage of thedictatorship’s era. With thisoccasion, I would like to re-iterate our will for furtherenhancement of the histori-cal relations of our two Par-ties.

Comradely regards,Andros Kyprianou, General Secretary of the Central Committee of AKEL

Message to the Communist Party ofGreece (KKE) on the anniversary of 95years since the founding of KKE

The Central Committee of AKEL sends comradely greetings to theCommunist Party of Greece, to its members and friends on the occa-sion of completing 95 years of life and struggles. We are well aware thatin all these years, the Communist Party of Greece has gone throughtremendous adversities and tempests, but has never given up the rightand the historic mission of the working class of Greece. We are confi-dent that the KKE - equipped with its new program and the decisionsof the 19th Congress - will continue to be at the forefront of the strug-gles of the working class and of the entire Greek people.

AKEL on the occasion of the 95th anniversary of the CommunistParty pays homage to all the Greek communists who were martyredin exile, in prison, on the death squads and in the battlefields but re-mained adamant to the ideals of socialism. The glorious history of theKKE, the sacrifices and the struggles of the communists of Greece wereand still are an inspiration to the communists of Cyprus. Moreover,one of the most honourable pages in the history of AKEL is the par-ticipation of tens AKEL members in the legendary saga of EAM -ELAS - EPON and of the DSE, on the side of the KKE.

Between AKEL and the KKE there are ideological and class-based tiesthat began in the early 20th century. We want to continue forging thesebonds through a comradely exchange of views and experience, through

the strengthening of our co-operation so that we con-tribute further in thereorganisation of the worldcommunist - labour move-ment.Being in the throes of the cap-italist crisis, our people are ex-periencing the onslaught ofcapital and of the EU againsttheir social gains and labourrights. Now that our partiesare fighting to organize thepopular response more coordination and joint action is required. Weare looking forward to strengthening our relationship both in the in-ternational and regional meetings of the Communist and Workers' Par-ties and within the international anti-imperialist organizations (WorldFederation of Trade Unions, World Peace Council, World Federationof Democratic Youth, Women's International Democratic Federation)but also within our Group in the European Parliament.

On behalf of the CC AKEL, we thank the KKE for its consistent prin-cipled position in support of the struggle of our people for justice, lib-eration and reunification of Cyprus. Long live the 95 years of theheroic Communist Party of Greece. Long live socialism.

The Central Committee of AKEL12/06/13

Message to the 26th Congress of theJapanese Communist Party

The Central Committee of AKEL is extending its wishes to the Japan-ese Communist Party for a successful and fruitful 26th Congress. YourCongress is held while the humanity is witnessing during the last yearsone more crisis of the capitalist system that is transferring its heavyconsequences to the working people and the popular strata. Further-more, capitalism is extending its goals due to the needs of the capitalfor having access in new markets.

The main consequences are the imperialist aggression, the enslavementof states in a vicious circle of external debt, the destruction of the en-vironment and the demolition of the welfare state and workers’ con-quests around the world. The imperialist aggression is getting extendedeven in countries with non-aggressive external policies such in Japanwhere the NATO aims to include it in its plans for controlling the Pa-cific Ocean, a fact that carries new dangers for the peoples of the re-gion.

The Japanese Communist Party has expressed during the last years theopposition of the Japanese people against the neoliberal policies ofyour government, the continuation of the functioning of nuclear reac-tors and the constitutional reforms regarding the defense policy ofJapan. These positions led to the enhancement of the support given by

the people to your Partyin electoral battles andyour Party’s structure.

As AKEL we continue ourstruggle for ending the 39years-old Turkish occupa-tion and partition of ourcountry. The international solidarity of the foreign parties has alwaysbeen valuable to our struggle for achieving reunification through a bi-zonal-bicommunal federation with political equality and a single sov-ereignty, single citizenship and single international personality. Wewould like to express our solidarity towards your struggle in Japan forpeaceful conditions in the northeast Asia and the world, a safe envi-ronment and social progress.

As AKEL we believe that despite the far distance between our coun-tries, our two Parties may be looking forward towards the continuationand further enhancement of our bilateral relations based in our com-mon ideology and goals. Once more we wish fruitful deliberations ofyour Congress.

With solidarity, The Central Committee of AKEL 13/01/14

AKEL on developments in Ukraine

AKELconsiders that the new stateof affairs in Ukraine har-bours enormous dangers

for the Ukrainian people and the neighbouring region. Theputschist move to seize the government by the opposition,although an agreement had been previously been agreed tohold snap elections, illustrates the anti-democratic stand ofthe leaders of the right-wing opposition. Various circles ofthe same order are exploiting the severe long-standing prob-lems that existed and developed in the country, the corrup-tion, the breach of promises by the government in order toestablish a new situation which will primarily and above allbe to the benefit of another section of the oligarchy. This pathhas resulted in the dead, the terror but also the threat of par-tition of the state and the country.

AKEL condemns the coup d'état, as well as the foreign interventions,that led to the escalation of the social and political conflict. It's not in-conceivable that those who planted the seeds will reap the results ofstorms, through the pursuit to expand their sphere of influence andimperialist interests against the Ukrainian people.

The rivalries developing have as their goal the raw materials, rich re-sources and the pipeline routes, their control by the international mo-nopolies that are planning their profits over the next fifty years. Theyare seeking a new geopolitical strategy for integrating Ukraine throughforce into NATO and the European Union.

An urgent combatting of neo-fascism is demanded, which whether

armedwith its ideas or with weapons, has already led the country into dead-end paths. The same scenario was played out in the war in Afghanistanwhen imperialist circles armed the forces of the Taliban.

AKEL supports the holding of democratic and transparent democraticprocesses that will be the choice of the Ukrainian people, with regardsthe orientation of both its foreign policy and economic policy.

AKEL denounces the murderous attacks by the Neo-Nazis against theCommunist Party of Ukraine and the burning of the Party's offices inKiev. AKEL supports the struggle of the Communist Party of Ukraineand the people of the country for democracy and real justice.

AKEL C.C. Press Office, 25th February 2014

Theblood of the Ukrainian people continues to beshed incessantly and the country is experiencinga deep civil division. Regardless of our long-stand-

ing position on the need for further democratic changes in the country,what is currently developing in the Ukraine is in fact an attempted coupd'état instigated and abetted by the West against the lawfully electedgovernment of the country in order to remove the country from Russ-ian influence and integrate it into the EU-Atlantic block.

The protagonists of the extremist anti-government activity also includeneo-Nazi organizations, but also ultra-right-wing parties such as theanti-Semitic "Svoboda", the leader of which the US Assistant Secretaryof State for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland - accordingto her conversations that were leaked - has assigned a role for and a sayin the new regime they are planning. That is to say, the USAis willing to join forces even with the ultra-right forces ofUkraine to promote their plans, which also involve the IMF's

arrival in the country...The EU is also acting along similar lines, intervening directly in the

internal affairs of Ukraine, siding with the opposition and announcingthe imposition of sanctions against the Ukrainian government. AKELurges the Cypriot government to dissociate itself from this logic thatadds fuel to the fire.

The bloodshed and foreign intervention must end. The people ofUkraine are the only ones who have the right without interferences todecide what the future of their country will be and what political andeconomic relations Ukraine will have with its neighbours, none ofwhom befits idealizations.

AKEL C.C. Press Office 20th February 2014