CYPRUS today marks the 34th anniversary of the failed coup to overthrow President Makarios, which paved the way for the Turkish invasion and subsequent occupation of the north of the island.

On the morning of July 15, 1974, parts of the Greek Cypriot National Guard, backed by the junta then ruling Greece, overthrew the elected government and tried to kill President Makarios.

Their aim was union with Greece.

Makarios who was at presidential palace entertaining school children, narrowly escaped the attempt and fled from the compound along a path left unattended by the assailants.

He escaped the capital and was flown off the island by the British military.

The coupists installed Nicos Sampson as president who was nicknamed the eight-day president – the duration of the coupist government.

The failed coup provided Turkey with the pretext it was seeking to invade the island and on July 20 occupied 37 per cent of its territory.

Political parties and other organisations yesterday issued statements condemning the coup.

Communist AKEL said this year’s anniversary “finds us in the midst of hopeful developments, as regards the struggle to solve the Cyprus problem.”

AKEL said the election of the party’s general secretary Demetris Christofias to the presidency has led to developments in the Cyprus issues, adding that it hopes they will pave the way for a solution to the problem.

Conservative DISY condemned the “treacherous coup” which was the dramatic culmination of a series of criminal acts by the Athens junta against Cyprus.

“We should draw the necessary bitter lessons … and from these be led to self-knowledge,” DISY said.

Centrist DIKO condemned with “outrage” the perpetrators of the coup and their associates.

“The great treachery that marked the history and course of Cyprus and its people remains a sharp nail in the conscience of the nation and our people,” DIKO said.

Socialist EDEK called for unity.

“Our priority and upmost aim is the struggle to end the occupation and the restoration of the rights of the Cypriot people, Greek and Turkish Cypriots.”