August 16, 1954
PAPAGOS-CYPRUS: The prime minister, Field Marshal Alexandros Papagos, has issued the following message to the Greek people ahead of the rallies to be held over the Cyprus issue: «The government has decided to permit the holding of mass rallies throughout the country to allow Greeks to express their (…) demand for the union of the island with the motherland. Given the sacred character of this first public demonstration, I appeal to the Greek people, however, to express their feelings and their beliefs in a manner appropriate to the gravity of the occasion, in an orderly and dignified way and with the traditional good manners that characterize the Greek people. Nevertheless, if there are any attempts to exploit the rally to serve other purposes, the police have been given strict orders to deal with the situation. I am making this statement to avert any attempt to use the rallies for any other purposes (…) The result of this nationwide demonstration depends not only on the number and enthusiasm of the participants but, above all, on the seriousness and dignity which I am sure will characterize it.»
