Cyprus between Enosis, Partition and Independence: Domestic Politics, Diplomacy and External Interventions (1967–74)

Abstract

This paper focuses on the domestic and international politics shaping the Cyprus Conflict between 1967 and 1974. Throughout the period investigated by this paper, Archbishop Makarios tried to preserve the Cypriot independence, integrity and sovereignty by withstanding the terrorist activities of Greek Cypriot paramilitary groups, local autonomy demands of Turkish Cypriot leadership and the interventions of Greece and Turkey. The anti-American Greek Cypriot Left sided with Makarios against the Greek Junta. Prior to the 1974 incidents, Henry Kissinger had been informed about the internal and external threats targeting Cyprus. During the 1974 crisis, he was provided sufficient information monitoring the unlikelihood of a Greco-Turkish war. Under these circumstances, the US government supported the federalization of Cyprus.