The Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has sent the following message of condolence to the Central Committee of AKEL on June 22.

THE Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) expresses its deep grief on the passing away of Comrade Dimitris Christofias, former general secretary of the AKEL and the president of Cyprus.

Comrade Christofias was a true Marxist, who played an important role in building the Party and withstanding the aftermath of the impact of the collapse of Soviet Union. He stood firm to the ideals of Marxism-Leninism and the principles of scientific socialism.

Comrade Christofias rose from the ranks of the student movement and served in various capacities both in the student and youth organisations of the AKEL. He became a member of the Central Committee of AKEL in 1982 and its general secretary in 1988. He served the Party and the people in this position till 2009, when he was elected as the president of the Republic of Cyprus. He served as an elected representative of the people for nearly three decades – both as a legislator and as the president of the country.

As the general secretary of the AKEL, he played an important role in countering the onslaught of the anti-communist forces, who were predicting the death of Marxism-Leninism. It is in this conjuncture, his election as the president of Cyprus in 2008, inspired people around the world. His election was a reflection of the struggles waged by AKEL under his leadership and also the acceptance gained by the Party among the people of Cyprus.

Comrade Christofias put to use his rich experience as a ‘person of the masses’, to address various issues of the working class and other toiling sections of the people during his tenure as president of Cyprus. He led the country in resisting the pressures of the European Commission, European Union and international financial corporations, which wanted to impose ‘austerity’ measures on Cyprus.

Comrade Christofias strove very hard for the reunification of the country and it is during his presidency that the talks on this question had witnessed some progress.

The sudden death of Comrade Christofias is a great loss not only to AKEL and Cyprus, but also to the communist movement world over.

The Central Committee of CPI(M) expresses deep condolences to AKEL and his family members – his wife, Comrade Elsie Chiratou, and his two daughters, Marianna and Christina, and son Christos.

The CPI(M) salutes the memory of Comrade Dimitris Christofias and pays its revolutionary tributes.