Harita Mantoles, a person-symbol of the Cypriot tragedy, was met in Limassol by the President of PASOK-Movement for Change, Nikos Androulakis.

“You are a living symbol of this tragedy. Today is a difficult day especially for you but also for all of Hellenism. Thank you for the honor of accepting me,” said Mr. Androulakis.

Harita Mandoles who lost 18 members of her family in the Turkish invasion of Kyrenia and spearheaded the fight for the missing, described her painful memories.

“All women fight to keep the memory alive and pass it on to our children, to the young people. We are leaving life. Our children must know what happened in 1974. That morning of July 20th we woke up to the explosions. I started shouting to my husband: “Andrea, what’s going on?”. And he answered me that the Turks came. They shot him and our child. He was hurt but he kept holding his father’s head and they wouldn’t let me go and get my baby. These cannot leave our memory, even if they say that fifty years have passed,” said Ms. Mantoles.

“And in Greece, the younger generations must learn what happened in order to keep the memory alive. As long as there is memory, there will be a fight for a just solution in Megalonisos. It was important that the new generation, through the small screen, saw what attracted the Hellenism of Cyprus” added the President of PASOK-Movement for Change.

Mr. Androulakis also commented on today’s provocative statements Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the occupied territories. “I find it inconceivable that on this day Erdogan called Attila a “peaceful operation” showing that they are unrepentant. They insult the memory of the dead and the missing, the families displaced from their ancestral homes. This behavior dynamizes any attempt at a just solution in Megalonisos. Erdogan belongs to a group of leaders who undermine international law and who unfortunately do not contribute to peace and stability in the wider region and especially on your island,” concluded Mr. Androulakis.

Harita Mantoles donated the book written about her life and a photo of Kyrenia to the President of PASOK-Movement of Change.