New York, April 3, 2012
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On Sunday morning, Archbishop of America Demetrios held a memorial service for the heroes of the struggle at the Cathedral of St. Paul in Hempstead. Greek Minister of National Defense, Demetrios Avramopoulos, National Defense General Staff chief, Lieutenant General Michael Kostarakos, the permanent representatives of Greece and Cyprus to the UN, Nikos Emiliou and Anastasis Mitsialis respectively, and Consul Generals of Cyprus and Greece Koula Sofianou and George Iliopoulos, attended the ceremony.
Minister Avramopoulos gave a speech in which he referred to April 1 as a day of honor and remembrance for Hellenism across the whole world. He warmly thanked the Cypriot organizations for inviting him and he mentioned his official meeting with his US counterpart. “Greece is on Cyprus’ side and is struggling for the desirable outcome as well”, the Minister remarked.
Referring to the sacrifices of the struggle, the Greek Minister stated that they aimed at the unification of Cyprus with Greece, which was however hindered by the military coup that followed, enabling the Turks to invade the country.
The Minister also mentioned the harsh economic situation that is troubling the Greek people, but remarked that the country has one of the most respectable defense systems in the world.
An event with songs, documentaries and text readings for the struggle against the British marked the end of the ceremony that celebrated the April 1st Greek-Cypriot National Anniversary.