April 7, 2004 | Papadopoulos says “no” to Annan – “I received an internationally recognized state. I will not hand over a ‘community’” – VIDEO

“I received an internationally recognized state, I will not hand over a ‘community,’” stated Tassos Papadopoulos, following the major “no” to the Annan plan in view of the referendum.

Seventeen years have passed since the day when Tassos Papadopoulos, then President of the Republic of Cyprus, obviously touched, called on the Cypriot citizens to vote against the Annan plan.

Defying the international impact, Tassos Papadopoulos went against what was happening at the time and rejected the Annan plan, refusing to fear the threats of international isolation against Cyprus.

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“I received an internationally recognized state. I will not hand over a ‘community’” without the right to speak internationally in search of a ‘guardian’. And all this against supposedly void, misleading, expectations. Against the illusion that Turkey will be faithful to its commitments,” were just four phrases summarising all of Tassos Papadopoulos’ arguments against the referendum of the then UN Secretary-General’s plan. 

On April 24, you will say ‘YES’ or ‘NO’ to the ‘Annan Plan’. You will make a decision for the present and the future of Cyprus. For our generation, but also for the generations after us.

I have confidence in your judgment. I’m sure you will not be fooled by false dilemmas. That you are not intimidated by threats of so-called international isolation. That you are not convinced about what is supposedly a last chance.

I am sure that the moral principles and values ​​of our people, our culture and our national historical life, which you want us to continue with security, justice, freedom and peace, are still important to you.

Greek Cypriot people …

On the “YES”-“NO” scale, the consequences of “YES” will be much heavier and much more burdensome. I invite you to reject the “Annan Plan”. I invite you to say a loud “NO” on April 24! I call on you to defend the law, your dignity and your history,” was partly what he said in his address.

Excerpt from Tassos Papadopoulos’ address

Message of unity for the next day

But Tassos Papadopoulos was not limited to this. In his address, he wanted to get across a message of unity to the Cypriots, whether they were in favor of “yes” or “no”.

“There will be no controversy among the parties, it is not an ideological controversy, so it is not even a controversy among citizens. It is a controversy with our continuity and history and what is each one’s judgment. I do not think there will be either winners or losers. Only Cyprus will be defeated if there are incidents, celebrations, a state that will prevent us on the next day from rebuilding unity, consensus and joint efforts to face the really difficult times ahead,” he said.

In this context, he appealed to the people: “Celebrations are not justified either, because we do not celebrate victory. We cannot celebrate because we did not find a solution to the Cyprus problem, we can only be relieved because we avoided what is worse. I therefore call on everyone to restrain themselves, act in decency, without outbursts, without false victory or defeat slogans. For me, there will be no winners or losers.”

Tassos Papadopoulos’ entire address

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