CNS Resources on the Missile Crisis over Cyprus


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Cyprus, the S-300PMU-1 Missile System, and Regional Security:

An Annotated Chronology, 1960-94[1]

1960

8/16 The Greek- and Turkish-inhabited island state of Cyprus is declared an independent republic, with Greece, Turkey, and the United Kingdom (UK) serving as guarantor powers. The UK retains sovereign rights to two military bases on the island. Greek Archbishop Mikhail Makarios becomes president of the Republic.

1962

Late 1962 Greek and Turkish community leaders hold a series of meetings on municipal government, but are unable to resolve their disagreements regarding taxation, municipal councils, and local government.

1963

As tension mounts, Cyprus’ Greek and Turkish communities begin forming paramilitary groups.

12/21 Fighting breaks out, with scores of Greek and Turkish casualties.

12/30 The "Green Line" is established in the capital city of Nicosia, separating the island’s Greek and Turkish communities.

1964

3/4 The United Nations Security Council approves Resolution 186, which establishes the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).

4/13 President Makarios agrees to accept the stationing of a division of troops from Greece, which is deployed by the end of summer under the command of General Georgios Grivas.

8/8 Fighting resumes between Greek and Turkish groups.

1967

12/29 Following the withdrawal of Greek troops on 11/15, Turkish Cypriot leaders declare the formation of the Provisional Turkish Cypriot Administration (PTCA), claiming jurisdiction over the Turkish-occupied northern portion of the island.

1974

7/15 Under orders from Greece's military government, the Cypriot National Guard stages a coup against President Makarios, who flees to London.

7/20 Turkey invades Cyprus, and Turkish Premier Bulent Ecevit declares that as a guarantor power, Turkey is justified in intervening to restore order and protect the territorial integrity of Cyprus.

8/14-8/16 Turkish forces fight their way south and establish the Attila Line, thereby occupying the northern 37% of the island.

12/7 Makarios returns to Cyprus to resume the presidency.

1975

2/10 The Turkish-occupied area of Cyprus is declared the Turkish Federated State of Cyprus. Turkey deploys 35,000 troops on the island. (Turkey has maintained a garrison of approximately 30,000 to 35,000 to the present day.)

1983

11/15 The Turkish-occupied region of Cyprus is declared the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), but is recognized internationally only by Turkey. The UN Security Council condemns the declaration, and repeats its call for the withdrawal of all foreign military forces from Cyprus.

 

1993

11/93 Cyprus and Greece formulate the Joint Defense Doctrine following the election of Cypriot President Glavkos Clerides. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) parliament responds by approving a plan to coordinate the TRNC's defense and foreign policies with Turkey.

 

Sources:

  1. "Cyprus: History," Britannica Online, [Online] http://www.eb.com:180/. Text of UN Security Council resolutions is available online at: http://www.un.org/Docs/scres/1998/9818625E.htm, and http://www.un.org/Docs/scres/1998/9818637E.htm. Michael Barletta, "Cyprus: Mediterranean Countdown," Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists 54(6), November/December 1998, pp. 12-14.


Michael Barletta and Erik Jorgensen, November 1998.
© Center for Nonproliferation Studies,
Monterey Institute of International Studies


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