By Stavros I. Charalambous:
(My following article was published on March 7, 2003 in the newspaper "Alithia" and I republish it as a sign of honor and appreciation to our worthy leader GLAFKOS KLIRIDIS who passed away last Friday. May his memory be eternal.)
With the departure of Glafkos Clerides from the presidency of the Republic of Cyprus, I could not but write as a citizen of this place, a few words about this great leader.
From a young age, then in 1976, when Glafkos Clerides founded the Democratic Alarm, but also later in my adolescence, the speech of this man captivated and inspired me. It gave me light in the darkness of that time. His humanity, his moderation, his intelligence, his perspicacity, his kindness, his meekness, his experience and the guidance he gave to both the youth and the entire Cypriot people inspired me.
They really made me believe but also trust this man, this great leader. A pioneer then through the ramparts of NEDISY and in every electoral battle that Glafkos Clerides fought, I was the posterist, the propagandist, the preacher of politics and the new ideas brought by Glafkos Clerides.
I, along with thousands of other NEDISYTes, gave many electoral battles for both the faction and the ideas of Glafkos Clerides to prevail. I will never forget, however, in my life when in February 1988 Glafkos Clerides lost the elections to George Vassilios. The next day Glafkos Clerides called the NEDISY youth to the party headquarters in Nicosia because he wanted to talk to her.
In the crowded and pulsating hall, young NEDISYTS from all over Cyprus and despite the defeat we cheered in favor of Glafkos Clerides and his policy. Clearly moved by the manifestations of love for his face, Glafkos Clerides told us in a trembling voice: “I draw my strength from you young people and despite yesterday's defeat, you give me courage to move forward and persevere for the realization of this beautiful struggle , which together we must finish. ”
It was then that hearts broke. We all cried like little children, assuring that next time we will work and fight to see Glafkos Clerides in power. And we did it. We succeeded in February 1993. Glafkos Clerides was the elected President of the Republic of Cyprus. I saw then that my dreams and the dreams of thousands of young people could come true. The wise words and the right policy of Glafkos Clerides could be transformed into action. For the refugees to return to their homes, for the Turkish occupation troops to leave, for the settlers to leave, for the flag of disgrace to leave, from Pentadaktylos. To see, finally, our Cyprus in the European Union together with Greece, so that the desires and visions of a people, of a homeland, may prosper.
Glafkos Clerides, with his mastery and his right policy, built these visions, these ambitions, every day, gravel by pebble, stone by stone. And he did it. Together with Greece and its people, he drove the boat called Cyprus to the port of the European Union, safely and confidently.
At the same time, Glafkos Clerides, with his right policy, managed to bring the reunification of our homeland so close. He managed to convince the Turkish Cypriots of his policy and incite them against Denktash's adventurous policy. Against the Turkish establishment.
That is why we see thousands of our Turkish Cypriot compatriots pouring into the streets and with rallies and other events demanding the resignation of Denktash and the reunification of our Cyprus. These world-historical events, which shock the Cypriot people for the first time, are not accidental. It is the result of the right policy of the ten-year rule of this place by Glafkos Clerides. And if some people did not let him complete his work, they did not harm him but our Cyprus. That is why history will record them as ungrateful, small-minded and political dwarfs in front of this indisputable and worthy leader Glafkos Clerides.
We thank you and we are grateful to Glafko Clerides for what you offered to your homeland. We thank you Glafkos Clerides and we assure you that thousands will be those who will continue your policy, your struggle for the fulfillment of the desires and visions of all Cypriots (Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots) that were none other than the reunification of Cyprus. our accession to the European Union and the well-being of this people. "
Stavros Charalambous