Cyprus

[Anathema]

Well I take it most of you guys know what happened there for the most part, otherwise to bad lol.

What do you guys think? Were the actions of Greece 71-74 justified? Those of Turkey?

[Davidu]

Actually I don't know very much about it apart from the fact that this territory is disputed by both countries... they ended up spliting the island in half... that stinks!

They should try to unite (the 2 halfs of the island) and forgive and forget...

[exatreide]

Turkey should control Cyprus. Nuff said :)

[Davidu]

You are subjective here.

(wonder why?? ::) )

The dream of expansion is sweet but the days of expansion are long over...

Try to see beyond that.

[Anathema]

I'll give a brief summary.

The Republic of Cyprus was founded in 1960 by England, Greece and Turkey. Archbisshop Makarios III becomes the first president. He claims that his long term goal is enosis (unification with Greece), but that enosis isn't feasonable in the political situation at that time. Some more radical enosis supporters, like his old comrade general Grivas, doubt the presidents intentions. Grivas leads from 1971-1973 a terrorist group called EOKA B, wich attempts to assasinate Makarios several times, and wich was aided by the Greek regime. In 1973 Grivas dies and is replaced by a Greek militairy officer.

The National Guard, wich had been "secretly" cooperating (many people knew of this cooperation) with EOKA B, is at that time also lead by a Greek officer. While EOKA B continues to perform terrorist attacks on Makarios and his supporters, the National Guard prepares for a strike.

Makarios tries to deal with the situation the best he can, but fails. Eventually he even blames Greece for the assasination attempts (fair enough, cause it's true).

On 15 juli 1974, the National Guard, supported by Greek soldiers who were stationed on Cyprus, launches an attack with the goal to kill Makarios. After they announce Makarios' death (he later turns out to have survived though), they install an ex EOKA fighter, Nikos Sampson (who is reknowned for atrocities against the Turkish part of the population in a civil war in 1964.

Turkey saw this coup as an act of Greek intervention and launched an invasion on 20 juli. They quickly gained a lot of territory, over a third of the island. Because of American diplomacy a ceace fire is agreed upon on 22 juli. Soon thereafter, the Greek regime is forced to step down and Nikos Sampson did the same.

On 14 august however, the Turkish air force resumed their bombardments. They said that the Greek proposal, made a while earlier, to interrupt the negotiations was unacceptable.

When the invasion was over Turkey possesed 40 % of Cyprus territory and 70 % of all mineral recources there. 200,000 Greek Cypriots were forced to move out of their homes.

Makarios returns to the island and takes up his job again, but Turkey only recongnises him as representative of the Greek Cypriots.

On 15 November 1983, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus declares itsef independant. As of yet only Turkey has recognised this republic.

Turkey always claimed that according to the treaty of guarantue signed at the founding of the Turkish Republic, they had the right to intervene because Greek supported a coup. However, they did not have UN permission to use force and according to the treaty they were only allowed to intervene in order to establish the situation the way it was. Turkey did not do that.

[Davidu]

As I said "the dream of expansion".

Both Greece and Turkey tried to conquer Cyprus.

They failed, so now there's still a conflict...

Sad...