demonstration

The following is a translation of part of a speach delivered by Ahmet Derya* at this demonstration. In this part of his address he was referring to the Security Forces Commander brigadier general who stirred up a great deal of anger amongst Turkish Cypriots with his public speeches. The general's speeches were regarded as a concerted contempt and humiliation of Turkish Cypriot people. He is said to play a leading role in the arrest of Avrupa daily newspaper editor-in chief Şener Levent with three of his journalists and two other Turkish Cypriots unfoundedly charged for spying for the Greek Cypriot side. Avrupa has been very critical of the role and doings of the military for some time. Avrupa has a significant share in the process for raising Turkish Cypriot conscious for speaking out for justice, a solution based on federal system and the relevant United Nations resolutions to Cyprus question, peace, self governing, independence, and democracy. Not long ago the general was also reported to threaten people who speak out for peace, independence and democracy. Along with the journalists many people were branded as 'traitors'. Some, including even the Prime Minister Eroğlu and Deputy Prime Minister were strongly criticized for collaborating with 'spies' and 'traitors' and not taking any measures to silence and punish them.

*Ahmet Derya: A former general secretary of Turkish Cypiot Teachers Union. and a former Turkish Republican Party MP and Minister of Education & Culture.

Your concern for this country
is because of your tour of military duty;
whilst ours
is because of being a part of it.
Your attachment to this land
lasts as long as your attachment to your duty;
ours as long as we live.
You are here
as long as your duty permits you to;
we are here throughout our lives.
and one day...
when we close our eyes
and depart from this world
we want our graves to be here on this land
Where our fathers, grandfathers,
and great grandfathers lie.

Translation: S. Arifler
19 Jıly, 2000

The following is another part of the speech that Ahmet Derya delivered on the same night.

A song is sung in Cyprus...
from generation to generation
from heart to heart.

A song is sung...
This is the song of passion for freedom.

This song
is the song of our people longing for peace.

A song is sung in Cyprus...
from centuries to centuries
from generations to generations
from heart to heart.

This song...
is the song of people of Cyprus
from Paphos to Famagusta.

This song...
is the song of our women
who say "No more wars, no more killings"

This song is the song of our young people
who cry out against leaving their home country

A song is sung on this land...
for centuries...This is our song.
and you gentlemen!...
you don't know this song.
This song is the song of peace.
This song is the song of freedom.
This song is the song of love.
A song of love for our homeland Cyprus.

A love that runs through our veins.
A love that sits deeply in our hearts and souls.
And you gentlemen! You don't understand this.

A song is sung on this land...
from centuries to centuries
from generations to generations
from heart to heart.
This song is the song of peace.
This song is the song of freedom.
This song is a love song for Cyprus.

Translation: S. Arifler
21 July, 2000