Christofias Receives Greek American Children

Nicosia.- President Demetris Christofias said on Tuesday that Cyprus needs the efforts of overseas Hellenism in the direction of the US Administration, in order to convince Turkey to change its stance on the Cyprus problem.

Welcoming a group of Greek origin children from the United States, President Christofias said Cypriots and Greeks living abroad have always supported Cyprus and the efforts for a solution, and called on the children to become ambassadors of their homeland in the countries they live in. Speaking to the children about the situation in Cyprus, he said the goal is to free Cyprus of the Turkish occupation troops and allow the Cypriots to decide how they want to live together and how to run their country.

Turkey brings into northern Turkish occupied Cyprus thousands of Turkish settlers and provides them with housing and jobs. This is a huge problem for the whole island, he said. President Christofias said Turkey`s policy on the Cyprus problem was not leading to a settlement that would create conditions of freedom and respect of human rights on the island.

The aim, he pointed out, was a bizonal bicommunal federation, and elaborated on how a federation works.

The President also referred to the issue of missing persons in both communities. The visit takes place two days before the anniversary of the July 15 of 1974 military coup against the then President of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios III. He managed to escape returned to the island in December the same year. Five days after the coup, Turkish troops invaded Cyprus.

The children visited the President’s office and were informed about what happened on the day of the coup, Makarios escape route and the consequences of the tragedy that hit the island.

The children’s trip was organized by Cyprus Federation of America and paid by the Cypriot Foreign Ministry. The twenty six American born children were also received by the House of Representatives President Marios Gharoyan and Archbishop Chrysostomos. During their stay they will visit historical and archaeological places and get familiar with Cyprus and its people.