Overseas Cypriots underlined here Saturday the need for a stronger enlightenment campaign on the Cyprus issue.
Overseas Cypriots, who held in Nicosia the 22nd Conference of the Central Council of the World Federation for Overseas Cypriots (POMAK) and the International Coordinating Committee Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA), and the 4th Conference of the World Organisation for Young Overseas Cypriots (NEPOMAK), said they were satisfied with the information they received from the government of Cyprus about the recent developments regarding the Cyprus problem, but noted the need for strengthening the enlightenment campaign.
POMAK President Haris Sofoklides said that during the Conference, the Cypriot overseas organisations received encouraging messages as regards the need to place greater emphasis on enlightenment and added that the government of Cyprus appreciates this.
PSEKA President Phillip Christopher said he was satisfied with the positive response of the government of Cyprus regarding the proposals of the overseas organizations on how to strengthen the enlightenment efforts especially ahead of the direct negotiations which will begin September 3rd between the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, with the aim to reunify the island, divided since the Turkish invasion of 1974.
He urged Cypriot businesspeople to financially contribute to the enlightenment campaigns abroad and proposed the establishment of an independent fund towards this end.
“People forget and we must constantly remind them that the Cyprus problem is a problem of invasion and occupation by Turkey, of refugees and illegal settlers”, he said.
Asked whether he would seek to meet US Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, Christopher said that Obama has already attended and addressed the PSEKA Conference in Washington, adding that he would also attend the Democrats’ Conference.
He noted that efforts to determine some principles as regards the Cyprus problem are also addressed to the US Republican Party.
In his statements, NEPOMAK President Christos Karaolis referred to the efforts made by the overseas organizations as regards the second and third generation of Cypriots and their contacts with Cyprus.
He said the efforts aim at bringing Cypriots closer to their roots in order to contribute to the overseas’ organisations efforts to support the struggle of Cyprus for justice.
