Government strongly condemns incidents caused by far right extremists Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides said that the government condemned the attack in the strongest possible terms, noting that President Anastasiades was being kept informed. FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE • Thursday, 27 March, 2014 The government has condemned in the strongest possible terms an attack last night in Limassol by members of the far right party ELAM, who disrupted an event at which the main speaker was former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat. ELAM members appeared outside the Panos Solomonides municipal cultural centre just before the event was scheduled to start, holding Greek flags and shouting abuse. They entered the lobby of the building but they were pulled back by the police. During the scuffolds that ensued a Turkish Cypriot journalist who tried to take photos was slightly injured. The event was organized by the Technical University of Cyprus (TEPAK), Limassol Europe Direct, the European Commission Representation in Cyprus, and Limassol citizens’ initiative for reunification. Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides said that the government condemned the attack in the strongest possible terms, noting that President Anastasiades was being kept informed. He stressed that no one will be allowed to terrorize democracy and freedom of speech. “The government will address such phenomena of terrorism and illegal actions in the strictest way allowed by the law,” he said, adding that the President of the Republic will seek explanations from everyone who bears any responsibility regarding the way these events have unfolded “at a venue where democracy should function, a University.” He said that the message sent out by the government to everyone and to Turkish Cypriots is that “we will not allow similar incidents, that bring shame on us all, to happen again,” adding that the government will address such phenomena with the utmost severity. “The government will not allow small groups to destroy the democratic climate in which the political life of this country functions” he said. The Spokesman’s comments were echoed by the Minister of Justice Ionas Nicolaou, who condemned the incident, saying he too will seek clarifications about what happened. Talat himself said the event “quite fruitful. He pointed out that “the aim of the organizer was to create a common understanding between Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots. In other words to create a peace culture in Cyprus. For a solution we need this culture. Otherwise, even if the leaders agree or even if the people approve a solution, the sustainability and the durability of such a solution would not be as we expect. So our aim effort and our main aim in this event was to start from somewhere to build this common understanding and building a peace culture. On the incidents caused by ELAM, he said they were against this aim. “Our target is to face this. To face the extremist activities and to help Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots to isolate them in order to have a sustainable peace on the island, to have a unified country and a joint understanding. Fanaticism will be faced in all ranks, everywhere. We have to do it and we have to succeed. Otherwise, if we are defeated, then they will succeed and solution will be an impossible target,” Talat told the press. An ELAM spokesman said their presence there was a protest against the presence of Talat. — (KYPE)
Posted on: Thu, 27 Mar 2014 08:24:41 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015