Letymbiotis: Message of Unity from Greece’s 1940 “No” Remains Relevant for Cyprus

Paphos, Cyprus. Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said on Wednesday that the unity behind Greece’s historic “No” of October 28, 1940, is more relevant than ever for Cyprus, which still bears the consequences of the Turkish invasion and occupation.

Remarks after the church service

Letymbiotis spoke to reporters after attending an Ochi Day service at the Metropolitan Church of Ayios Theodoros in Paphos. He paid tribute to the Greek people’s struggles against fascism and stressed the importance of handing their legacy to future generations.

He noted that Paphos, the city where the heroic “No” was being honoured, had protested against fascism in 1941. According to him, the city also backed the Greek struggle through the then locum tenens of the archiepiscopal throne.

Unity and occupation

The spokesman described the anniversary as a reminder of the fight against fascism and of the right of nations to sovereignty, as well as of the unity shown by the Greek people. He said this message of unity inevitably applies to a country that has endured illegal occupation for 52 years following a brutal invasion.

Lessons for future generations

Letymbiotis said the lessons of 1940 should remind people never to give up just struggles or the defence of the national interests, values and ideals upheld by earlier generations. In his words, this is the message that must be preserved and passed on, and the struggles defending what ancestors fought for must never be abandoned.

He ended by sending his wishes to Greece and to Greeks everywhere, voicing the hope that “next year will find us with a free homeland”.

Wreath and parade

After the service, Letymbiotis laid a wreath at the October 28 memorial in Paphos. He then took the salute at the student parade held to mark the anniversary.