Greek Americans Mourn Death of Former Cypriot President

New York.- By Apostolos Zoupaniotis
The Greek American community has expressed sorrow at the death of the late Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos, who died here on Friday of lung cancer, at the age of 74.
Archbishop Demetrios of America, members of Congress and leaders of major Greek American organizations have sent letters of condolences to the family of the former President of the Republic Tassos Papadopoulos and to the President of the Republic Demetris Christofias.

Archbishop Demetrios, who maintained a closed friendship with the Tassos Papadopoulos, held a church service (trisagion) for the late President, on Friday, attended by Cypriot and Greek diplomats.

Archbishop of America Demetrios, on hearing the news of Papadopoulosʼ death, sent letters of condolences to his spouse and to Cyprus President Demetris Christofias.

In his letters, Demetrios expressed the sympathy of the Holy Archbishopric of America, noting that the late President was a bright, dynamic and prudent national leader of Cyprus, who had dedicated his whole life to the struggle for the international promotion and just solution of the Cyprus problem.

A book of condolences will be opened on Monday and Tuesday at the General Consulate of Cyprus in New York. A book of condolences will open also at the Cypriot embassy in Washington (2211 R Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20008) on Monday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 16, from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Wednesday, December 16, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) released the following statement on the passing of former Cypriot president Tassos Papadopoulos:
“President Papadopoulos was a historic figure for the Greek Cypriots and served them with passion and dedication throughout his life.

The loss of a beloved leader is a tragic moment for any community. President Papadopoulosʼ commitment and bravery will be remembered for generations both in Cyprus and around the world.

“My thoughts and prayers are with all Cypriots as we mourn the passing of a distinguished leader who fought tirelessly for a just solution to a free Cyprus.”

Cyprus Federation President, Peter Papanicolaou, in a statement said, “President Papadopoulos was a historic figure for the Greek Cypriots. He served his country with passion and dedication for decades from many different ministerial positions. Hellenism has lost a distinguish leader and a true fighter for a better future of the Greek Cypriots.

I had the honor and privilege to know President Papadopoulos from my early childhood years and I had the opportunity to work closely with him as President of the Cyprus Federation during the critical times of his presidency. I will always value his advise and I will remember him as a man of integrity, honesty dignity and wisdom. A man with unparallel courage and a true fighter for the rights of his country and its people.”.

PSEKA (International Coordinating Committee Justice for Cyprus) President Philip Christopher noted in a written statement that Tassos Papadopoulos will be remembered in history “as an individual who epitomizes leadership, integrity, conviction and courage”.

Christopher stressed that Papadopoulosʼ defining moment was the historic response of ”no” to international pressure to accept a solution which rewarded the aggressor (Turkey, which continues to occupy Cyprusʼ northern areas), and legitimized an illegal occupation and was nothing more than an international injustice.

PSEKA expressed its deepest sympathies to former Presidentʼs wife Fotini, and his family.

The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) expressed its deepest sympathies to the family of the late President Papadopoulos and the people of Cyprus.

“The AHEPA family is saddened to learn that Former Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos passed away this morning after a brave bout with cancer”, said AHEPA Supreme President Ike Gulas in a written statement issued Friday.

Gulas pointed out that Papadopoulos was an extremely passionate leader, who as President “shepherded the Republic of Cyprus into the European Union in 2004, and standing by his convictions, strongly advocated for the rejection of the Annan Plan” (a UN-brokered solution plan which Papadopoulos said did not serve the interests of Cyprus).

In an announcement released on Friday, the American Hellenic Institute has expressed its deepest sorrow on the passing of the former President of Cyprus, Tassos Papadopoulos.

AHI describes the late President as “a statesman of high integrity and profound dignity who spent the greater part of his life advancing the just and righteous cause for his beloved island nation, Cyprus”.

“He understood that the proper course of action to secure a viable and long lasting solution to unite Cyprus was etched fundamentally in the rule of law, international law, democratic norms and respect for the United Nations”, it is added.