A very political funeral.

Byline: Stefanos Evripidou

THOSE WHO thought the funeral of former President Tassos Papadopoulos would honour the man's more than half a century contribution to Cypriot politics would be wrong.

The entire service was marked by one specific moment in Papadopoulos' political life: his 2004 rejection of the Annan plan.

Before reaching the gargantuan Saint Sophia Church in Strovolos, one could already get a sense of the mood at the single-themed ceremony. Hanging from one of the bell towers was a 20-metre banner which simply read, "OXI" (NO).

The message was clear.

Excerpts of his April 7, 2004 speech where he called on Greek Cypriots to vote a "resounding NO" to the UN plan occupied the space outside the church. His words were everywhere, printed on black banners held high by supporters, on black T-shirts worn by DIKO youth members and on stickers distributed to all.

The stickers read: "I call on you to defend justice, your dignity and your history", written over a map of copper-coloured Cyprus, signed by Papadopoulos.

A gigantic banner hung from one of the bell towers read: "Protector of Democracy", while smaller ones held by his followers said: "I took over a state, I delivered a state", "Tassos We Thank You" and "This people will not yield, will not give up until justice finally triumphs".

The level of organisation evident in the shape of ubiquitous stickers and banners bore similarities to the slick marketing of the "NO" campaign during the 2004 referendum.

By 10.30am, Eleonon Street was packed with cars, diverted one way or the other by a heavy police presence. Around a thousand people were already inside the church and an equal number in the yard. The favoured charities of the bereaved family set up desks across the yard to collect donations from the crowd.

The sense of grief was pervasive. From those asked, the majority were mourning the loss, not of a long-known personality in Cypriot politics, but of a man whose resolute distrust of the Annan plan "saved Cyprus".

"We came to honour the memory of a president who we believe saved us from a plan that would have led to partition," said Evgenia Tomasidou from Kyrenia, echoing the sentiments of other mourners.

"His politics, particularly the 'NO', reflects our feelings, and unfortunately, his work will be valued now that he's gone," said Georgios Hadjioanni.

"I'm just afraid that Tassos left disappointed," said a teary-eyed Stallo Hadjioanni, referring to his failure to win a second term in office.

"He was very misjudged by a lot of people. I worked for his re-election and wish we'd done more. My biggest worry now is the economy, not the Cyprus problem," said Efi Xanthou.

Not all were as passionate in their response. "I'm here because my boss is related to Tassos," said one young employee, while a curious man walking through the throngs confessed, "I like to watch people at public gatherings".

The path to the church doors was lined by the National Guard's commando unit and members of the police force. The arrival of Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis drew a round of applause from the crowds outside, as did the incumbent President Demetris Christofias, though the warm reception did not hold with the faithful inside.

The coffin of Papadopoulos was draped in a Greek and Cypriot flag, guarded by four members of the Military Police.

Following the Orthodox liturgy, Christofias was called to a make a speech. In stark contrast to every other speaker that followed, no one clapped before, during or after his speech.

As the president spoke, one woman standing on the upper floor of the church said to whoever was listening: "Listen to him crying, putting emotion in his voice. Does he think we're all stupid?"

The mood warmed when EDEK's honorary president, Vassos Lyssarides, took the microphone. The crowd of mourners broke into loud applause whenever Lyssarides referred to the Annan plan and Papadopoulos' rejection of it.

The following speeches by the Archbishop, House President Marios Garoyian and former Defence Minister Christodoulos Pashiardis followed a similar pattern, with the word "NO" consistently drawing loud approval.

The final speech, given by his daughter, Anastasia, was delivered with composure and passion, leaving many in tears. The fair dose of politics she injected in her speech hinted at a possible desire to follow in the footsteps of her father.

One man from the presidential entourage found the two-hour ceremony too much to handle and fainted. He was rushed out by the secret services, only to be inundated by members of the crowd offering him sweets to suck on and water to drink.

Like all funerals, there was a heavy climate, but unlike others, there was also a sense of political urgency.

Some had come to honour the former president like his namesake Alecos Papadopoulos (no relation) from Limassol, who said: "Tassos was a good patriot, a good man and he deserved a final farewell."

But many others hinted at a sense of fear for the future now that Papadopoulos had gone. The numbers may not have been overwhelming, but one thing's for certain, Papadopoulos' departure has left a gap in Cypriot politics. It remains to be seen who will fill it.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2008

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