President Ersin Tatar on Sunday issued a message marking the 73rd anniversary of a rally organised on November 28, 1948 in response to demands by Greek Cypriots for Enosis or union with Greece.
“Cyprus will never become Greek,” said Tatar in his message, pointing out that the Turkish Cypriot people will never abandon their freedom or sovereignty.
He reminded that Turkish Cypriots had launched its own struggle for existence following growing demands by Greek Cypriots to unite the island with mainland Greece, particularly after the end of the Second World War.
Tatar said that a massive rally had been held in Lefkoşa in response to these demands.
“Our late leader Dr Fazıl Küçük and late founding President Rauf Denktaş had openly stated during that rally that we, the Turkish Cypriots will at all costs, never consent to Enosis. The crowd had chanted the slogan, ‘Cyprus will never become Greek’. The rally had demonstrated the Turkish Cypriot peoples’ resolve and determination which continues to this day, 73 years later. We are crying out to the world that we shall never abandon our sovereignty, our freedom and our state,” he added.
Tatar in his message also pointed out that the Turkish Cypriot people will never give up Turkey’s guarantees or accept the withdrawal of Turkish forces from the island.