Ship to Gaza: Press Release

From “Eleftheri Mesogeios” Ship

International waters south of Cyprus, 29/5/2010, 13:00
The Role of the Cypriot Government

The Cypriot government banned European parliamentarians - including

two Greeks, one Cypriot MEP, journalists, academia and other citizens
to leave, with private boats, from a Cypriot port to join Freedom
Flotilla. This action of the Cypriot government harmed this
international mission, especially the Greek and Cypriot part,
depriving it from the "human shield" thought to be some of these
members.

They were trapped in the island, with their right as citizens, who

legally entered the territory of Cyprus, to move freely and to leave

without any obstacle by sea to any legal destination of their choice,
violated.

This attitude is reminiscent of past regimes and caused the reaction
of many European governments. Apart form the trauma to the “Freedom
Flotilla” mission from the Israeli plan unfolded these days in Cyprus,
a major issue for the long term interests of the Cypriot case and the
people of Cyprus issue has been created. Three thousand years of
history in the Eastern Mediterranean, created the most powerful bonds
of friendship and trust with neighboring Arab nations, particularly

with the Palestinian people resisting under occupation, the common

heritage of struggles for freedom and anti-siege have been abolished,
cutting thus Cyprus from its strategic allies. The geopolitical and
diplomatic weakness of Cyprus in international organizations arises a
risk that can occur in the next period, so as to irreparably harm the
Cyprus case.

This submissive attitude of the Cypriot government to the Israeli plan
in preventing the mission is suicidal for Cyprus because it forced
many European parliamentarians, surprised by this action, to pass in

the occupied north, so they can freely reach international waters from

Famagusta and so from there to join the other ships of the mission.
Supporters of the Palestinian issue may not support anymore the Cyprus
issue.

We strongly condemn the attitude of the Cypriot government for its -
out of any legal framework - decision to hit the largest ever
solidarity and humanitarian mission to the people of Gaza, effectively

assigning its territorial waters to Israel.