Maria Kontomari talks about her resignation

"..In my ten years as President of Lefkimmi Cultural Society I believe that everyone has seen my character and the fact that I put the unity of the movement above all else! As I said at the coordination meeting, I decided to resign because I believed that for some time the Society management board hadn't been functioning properly and as president I wasn't able to coordinate it. A large part of this was media posts and actions by the Society that became known to the public before they were voted on. I tried to keep my resignation low-key because I didn't want it to be used by some people to create a three-ring circus! I remain a member of the Society and my views on the operation of the illegal Lefkimmi landfill also remain the same. However, because I have seen comments and posts from various people answering on my behalf regarding my resignation, I felt compelled to say the following:

Not even for one day over the last twelve years was I not involved in this struggle, so it is ridiculous for someone to say that I had become tired at such a crucial point in time. I feel fine psychogically and will continue to fight. I haven't been pressured by anyone to stand aside - perhaps because I haven't allowed anyone to come close to me. So if I had been put under any kind of pressure I would immediately have made it known!

As far as feeling afraid is concerned, I have learnt in my life that your enemies cannot generate fear because you can see them and act according to your strengths. Fear comes from friends that you believe are on your side.

So I would like everyone to desist from answering on my behalf and respect the fact that my priority was, is and will always be for there to be unity. I would also like to ask the journalists who have treated me with respect over the years not to regard this as an announcement but as the thoughts of someone on their personal profile - which requires no comments. The fight continues!"