TRIBUTE TO HERO

We are paying the common tribute of all foundations and institutions and members of the Near East to the honorable “One” of the Turkish Nation and of the Turkish Cypriots.In 1994, the Senate of the Near East University conferred upon an honorary PhD upon the proposal of Dr. Suat İ. Günsel, the Founding Rector of the Near East University. This honorary PhD was conferred upon the President Rauf Denktaş and His Excellency cordially accepted it.Beyond the memories to be remembered, at the ceremony which is remembered as if it was held today and was one such beautiful event, the very basic term to define his personality was uttered, the “Hero”, before pointing out the justifications why such a PhD was conferred upon him, and the justifications pointed out highlighted his historical, cultural, artistic characteristics as well as his mighty abilities as a statesman.Without doubt, the dynamics of the nation create the heroes, in other words, the historical facts and conditions create the heroes. And yet again, without doubt, “Heroes” with extraordinary abilities and souls are needed to generate these conditions. It is the integrated spring of historical facts and personalities of leaders making the watch of history tick uniquely different, making that “inevitable call” of time everlasting. This heritage is a common one. All the great “pluses” and “only ifs” will constitute the field to be searched throughout the life of society in time.Before Rauf Raif Denktaş, those who agreed and will agree with himself, and those who were his closest friends and his opponents, said and will say “If he wasn’t the one who made, nothing would be made”.The Hero is him.