EDON Bulletin - July 2015

T

he recent revelations related to the purchase and use of the Galileo software for monitoring data communications from the Cyprus Intelligence Service (KYP), is another building block in the lengthy list of scandals from the government of Nikos Anastasiadis and the Democratic Rally.

The endearing tactic of the Government to place again the blame to the previous Government is not only tragic but also at least ridiculous. This is because while the resigning Head of KYP refers to compliance with all prescribed procedures and the existence of practices of the Cabinet which approved the purchase of the monitoring software, the President Anastasiades pretends to ignore the facts.

We note that, based on the constitutional amendment of 2010, the monitoring of telephone conversations is allowed under two basic conditions: the introduction of legislation that regulates them and the issuing of a court order at the request of the Attorney General and as long as the intervention is necessary in the interest and security of the Republic.

The questions related to the scandal of KYP are inexorably and the Government must respond convincingly and honestly about the legality of interceptions, as the importance of the matter does not allow for ‘communication management’: - Is it true that, as a result of the cooperation between the secret services of Germany and the United States (BDN and NSA, respectively) and with the help of Deutsche Telekom AG, the monitoring of telephone lines was allowed in various countries which formed part of a priority list and that this list reports that three phone lines in Cyprus are monitored for the benefit of the NSA, to which the data collected were delivered?

- Criminal offenses arise by using the Galileo system for monitoring and if so, why the Attorney General does not intervene ex officio?

- Why the debate regarding the legal framework that governs the operation of BPH was not completed in the House of Representatives and while the debate would come to a conclusion? What is the role of the President of DISY in ending the discussion of this bill, despite the fact that the Government urged for the bill to be voted?

- Were there and to what extent party interventions by DISY in the whole situation?

The society expects the imposed answers from the Government. Those who aim at creating a party-influenced monitoring service (KYP), they will find us in opposition.

another building block in the lengthy list of scandals from the government of Nikos Anastasiadis and the Democratic Rally

1

E

ach year, on the 15th and the 20th of July retrospectively, the memories go back to the summer of 1974, when Cyprus lived the ultimate tragedy. A handful of fascists, lead by the Athenian Junta “opened the doors” so that 5 days later Turkey could invade and illegally capture 37% of our country.

On these days every year, every democratic person goes to a church to honor the memory of its people who stood against the betrayal which was going on at that time. Unfortunately, the governing party and the official church representatives choose to provoke the families of the dead as well as other people, by organizing memory tributes to those who attempted to overthrow democracy during the coup of 1974. By the name of “receiving orders” they try to equate coup plotters with heroes. This consists an outmost provocation.

No one denies the relative’s right to memorialize their children. The state though cannot be provocative in such a way. What are the words that can justify themselves to the relative of hero Sotiris Adamou Konstantinou, who refused to execute the coup plotter’s plans?

History is written. Despite any right wing efforts, the truth’s raping cannot and will not be accepted. During 1974, a well-planned plan was executed.

2

People took part in it deliberately and unwillingly at the same time but despite their willingness, this fact does not exempt them of places them in the same place with those who sacrificed their lives to defend democracy and freedom. For us, Cyprus remains an open wound and despite the passing years, we will continue to point out the treason.

And treason without traitors does not exist.

Worst Provocation!

By the name of “receiving orders” they try to equate coup plotters with heroes

O

ne of the longstanding and firm posiOn the one hand, there are those few gradtions of EDON was the amendment and uates who have the financial means to colmodernisation of the list of university lect “qualifications” from institutions offering graduates in line to be appointed as private lessons and on the other hand, there educators in primary and secondary education in are those, the majority, who are economically the public sector. This system of appointment was condemned to fail in this kind of game. At the firstly implemented in 1976 and it has been in force same time, as a result of a rough and nonesto this day. In all the years that have intervened, sential dialogue, there will be tests on three we have consistently supported that this system thematic fields, such as “psychometric tests”, should change according to the demands of the tests on Modern Green for all the candidates, new social conditions. Nevertheless, this does not regardless of their academic field. mean that we will accept any legal bill that will not safeguard the rights Τhis new system leads university graduand future of the new ates to pay for private lessons in order generation. to obtain more “qualifications” and

more “skills” in order to achieve their

Once again, the goventrance as teachers in the primary and ernment is handling a secondary education creating inequaliserious issue without ties among candidates. any planning. The majority of the DISI and DIKO MP’s have approved a As EDON, we strongly support that this new new system, without any preceding substantial sosystem must not victimize all those young cial dialogue or in depth discussion on the matter. people who have been on the list for years. At Τhis new system leads university graduates to pay the same time, we must safeguard the rights for private lessons in order to obtain more “qualifiof those who were working as teachers in prications” and more “skills” in order to achieve their mary and secondary education on a contract entrance as teachers in the primary and secondary basis, on a non-regular basis and as replaceeducation creating inequalities among candidates. ments, a group of educators that the state has already invested on.

3

T

he European neo-colonists and their executive bodies have revealed once again, that the Europe they want to construct stands far beyond the expectations of its people.

They engage with policies and procedures that recall past eras. The authoritarian acts and strategies chosen to pursue, have led Greece and its people to an endless vicissitude. The Greek government was forced into a distressing compromise that solely victimizes the Greek people. The “NO� of the Greek people on the referendum of July the 5th, had potentially safeguarded that the Greek side could perhaps have negotiated with more favorable terms of debt. Unfortunately, this did not happen as the leaders of the European Union have reacted vindictively and derogatory against the fate of the entire Greek people.

The declarations of Europe for solidarity, prosperity and respect were not respected for once again.

The organized resistance and consolidation of masses together with the popular strata in all the countries of Europe is the only solution

Yet, the resistance of the Greek people condemned the proposal of the Europeans and gave strength and confidence to the people of Europe that might end up with the same dilemma, so that they challenge the neoliberal dictates of the EU and fight for their future with dignity. The result of the referendum condemns the austerity measures, the accumulation of capital and the multinational practices that enslave workers. Troika and its advocates got the message that people will now longer remain idle.

Let us not have illusions, however. Their policies against people are becoming intensively unpopular and harder day after day. The class struggle should not simply continue. It should intensify. The organized resistance and consolidation of masses together with the popular strata in all the countries of Europe is the only solution. This is the only way out of the hurricane of neoliberalism and the all-out attack of capital.