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Table 1.1 Greek-Cypriot interprétations of recent history
Politicai Party Context of 1974 War Belligerents
AKEL 21 (communist party of Cyprus -
33% of vote in 1996 parliamentary élections).
History of Cyprus
Insiders : Cypriots
Outsiders: Greeks and Turks
DIS Y 22
(centre-right party of the Président:
History of Greece
Insiders : Greeks
1993 & 1998 - 34% of vote in 1996
Outsiders: Turks
parliamentary élections)
As the voting strength indicates (Table 1.1, above), these "extremes" represent the
politicai interests of the overwhelming majority of the electorate in the Republic of
Cyprus, particularly their views on the most pervasive issue in Cypriot politics: the
"Cyprus Problem". The views of the smaller parties, DIKO and EDEK, largely
conform with either a national ist or an international socialist interprétation of recent
history (not necessarily in that order). It is therefore, relevant to present Table 1.1
as a rough représentation of the dominant cleavage in Greek-Cypriot historical
perceptions. The Table illustrâtes that Greek nationalism and even perceptions of
'Greekness' are far from monolithic. A Cypriot identity exists amongst the left (on
both sides) which plays down ethnie arguments and emphasises the role of
geopolitics, playing on cultural différences.
21 AKEL: Anorthotikon Komma Ergazomenou Laou (Progressive Party of die Working People).
22 DISY: Dimokratikos Synagermos (Democratic Rally).
21