Sirens in Cyprus

Tourists unfamiliar with Cypriot history who awoke to the sound of sirens at 08.20 on Saturday morning could be forgiven for thinking that a missile from nearby Lebanon or Israel had missed and hit Cyprus instead.

In fact, the sirens wailed in memory of the military coup 22 years ago that was sponsored by the military regime in Greece, which ousted the elected president, Archbishop Makarios.

The coup gave Turkey an excuse to invade 5 days later and occupy 37% of the Republic’s territory, claiming that it had the right to under the Treaty of Guarantee.

Despite UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal, Turkish troops have been stationed on the northern part of the island to this day and the Cyprus problem remains unresolved.

A church service for those killed during the coup was held on Saturday morning at SS Constantinos and Eleni Church in Nicosia, in the presence of President Tassos Papadopoulos, House of Representatives President Demetris Christofias, Ambassador of Greece to Cyprus Demetris Rallis, leaders or representatives of political parties, other political and military officials and relatives of those killed.

Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Antonis Michaelides addressed the ceremony.

President Papadopoulos and other officials laid wreaths at the tombs of those killed defending the Republic.

The 56-seat House of Representatives held a special session later that morning to denounce the coup and the Turkish invasion and honour those who sacrificed their lives.