Mikis Theodorakis on Cyprus

It's well known that for the referendum in Cyprus of 24 April, Mikis Theodorakis had claimed to vote "NO". Here some of his arguments:

"I had decided not to state publicly my opinion concerning the upcoming referendum … However, two factors made me change my decision: First, the in-depth study of the Annan plan … And, secondly, the unprecedented and shameless pressures by American and other officials in favour of "YES". Pressures that reveal, beyond any doubt, that, behind the Annan plan, substantially the interests of England and the USA are hidden. This being so, I salute the certain and loud "NO" from our brothers the Greek Cypriots, which I consider equivalent to the great "NOS" of the Greek history and, moreover, as the beginning of resistance in the fight for defending the honour and dignity of our homeland”.

After the issue of the referendum and the entrance of the Greek Cypriots in the EU on 1 May 2004, the Turkish Weekly political magazine AYDINLIK has interviewed Mikis Theodorakis.

Here a translation of this interview published with kind permission of AYDINLIK and Mikis Theodorakis (©).

Q.: You said that Annan Plan is an American plan. Wherefore did you say “NO” for that plan? According to you, what does the American government want to do?

M. Th.: For the last three decades, US government has not expressed the slightest concern on the Cyprus issue. How then should we interpret the sudden mobilization of the US president, the Head of the State Department and also the enormous American influence mechanism in favour of the Annan Plan? And what is this plan at the end? Wasn’t it drawn by the English in cooperation with American officials? What were they aiming at? In my opinion, this plan has three major goals:

First: the maintenance of English military bases.

Second: the establishment of a huge American military base and

Third: the imposition of a state form, which will ensure the division of the two communities making imperative the strengthened arbitrative role of the three foreign judges who would exercise the essential power.

I cannot but comment the unprecedented distress of American-English and American-favour circles in Europe , even in my country, in order that the Plan is instantly implemented. It is obvious that the Americans are in a hurry to establish this super-Base in order for them to catch up with the developments in the Middle East . On the one hand, the situation in Iraq has not gone according to their plans, for which they will intensify their aggression by any means. On the other hand Israel is escalating its plans to eliminate the Palestinians. This will undoubtedly raise broader and more active reactions, mainly on behalf of Syria , without excluding the counteraction by the rest of the Arabic neighbouring countries. The key-position of Cyprus allows immediate military interventions without losing precious time. Thus, in my opinion, any implementation of the Annan Plan would mean turning Cyprus into a hell’s base for an attack.

Q.: You said that the Annan Plan will not contribute to peace between two nations. According to you, who destroys the peace between the two nations? How can we have peace between them?

M. Th.: Let us see things from this point forth looking at to the future. What do we see?

First: Cyprus, in total, is a part of Europe.

Second: Turkish Cypriots are also potentially Europeans.

Third: What separates the two communities today (especially after the 65% of the Turkish Cypriot “yes” vote)? Is it the Green Line? No! What essentially divides the two communities today is on the one hand the difference in the standard of living and on the other hand everything we call in short “vested democratic rights”.

Fourth: Therefore, with regards to the standard of living, I consider that the Europeans and the Greek Cypriots would have to help, in order each day the Turkish Cypriot economic situation improves and gets closer to the level of Greek Cypriot and European standards.

Fifth : Regarding civil rights and the State model to be implemented, why don’t we all learn from the examples of Europe ? Model of governing? NOT the cunning and humiliating wiles, as Sir David Haney suggests, which give away a rotten sense of colonial systems, but those systems prevailing in Europe nowadays. The constitution, the legislation, the individual rights, everything exists today in Europe , where – not to be forgotten – Cyprus permanently and definitively belongs. You may say however that two communities with different nationalities, religions and languages exist in Cyprus . But aren’t there similar models in Europe ? Belgium , for example: Why can’t this country act as a role-model?

Sixth: The safety issue. Did you know that in the Annan Plan Cyprus is not allowed to be included in the European Defence Mechanism, and also the presence of European troops in Cyprus is forbidden? Why? Are the English forces – and later the US ones – any better? In any case, we are Europeans. So why not turn for forces of Defence inside of Europe ? Naturally there is also the UN. Let the Security Council decide to send forces until the fear and insecurity is eradicated once and for all. Whereupon Cypriots will decide to have their own army, something which is also prohibited according to the Annan Plan.

As you may know, I have always put faith in the peoples’ maturity. I also trust that nowadays Greeks alongside Turks wholeheartedly wish to live in peace and justice, one next to the other, building on together their destiny, aiming to common progress and prosperity without requiring any foreign protectors.

Q.: Why did the Greek government remain silent during referendum process?

M. Th.: Because it wanted to let the people of Cyprus express undisturbed their sovereign and free will upon their own lives and future. This indeed has happened because the people have crossed (previously set) Greek and Cypriot party lines, by saying “NO”.

Q.: What do you think that Mr. Zülfü Livaneli reproached you?

M. Th.: Unfortunately, I have not been informed about the exact statements of my friend Zülfü Livaneli. But I am sure, that if I had the opportunity to meet with him and explain him my position, he would agree with me.

Q.: How do you evaluate the results of referendum?

M. Th.: After the “NO” vote, the Annan Plan is dead and buried, and whatever attempt to bring it back from the dead will fail. Cyprus is and will remain a member of Europe . The Greek Cypriots long for their Turkish Cypriot brothers, each and everyone saying: “We want a solution. We want unity. We want to build together our common home”.

Therefore those of us who really love our Cypriot brothers, ought to help turning this vision into reality. And for this it is necessary that:

First: Cyprus has to free itself from the deadly “hug” of the great powers, who have nothing else in their mind but war and devastation of nations, and

Second: we take advantage of this much positive historical coincidence that Cyprus is a member of Europe and that we help with all our forces for a fair solution, according to precise directives of principles, rules and practices, which govern the countries of Europe .

Athens, 2. 5. 2004