CYPRUS-TREATY OF GUARANTEE
Nicosia, 16 August 1960
The Republic of Cyprus on one part, and Greece, Turkey, and the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland of the other part,
I. Considering that the recognition and the maintenance of the independence, territorial integrity, and security of the Republic of
Cyprus, as establised and regulated by the Basic Articles of its
Constitution, are in their common interest,
II. Desiring to co-operate to ensure respect for the state of affairs
created by that Constitution,
Have agreed as follows:
ARTICLE I
The Republic of Cyprus undertakes to ensure the maintenance of its independence, territorial integrity, and security, as well as respect for its Constitution.
It undertakes not to participate, in whole or in part, in any political or
economic union with any State whatsoever. It accordingly declares prohibited any activity likely to promote, directly or indirectly, either union with any other State or partition of the Island.
ARTICLE II
Greece, Turkey, and the United Kingdom, taking note of the undertakings of the Republic of Cyprus set out in Article I of the present Treaty, recognise and guarantee the independence, territorial integrity, and security of the Republic of Cyprus, and also the state of affairs established by the Basic Articles of its Constitution.
Greece, Turkey, and the United Kingdom likewise undertake to prohibit, so
far as concern them, any activity aimed at promoting, directly or indirectly,
either union of Cyprus with any other State or partition of the Island.
ARTICLE III
The Republic of Cyprus, Greece, and Turkey undertake to respect the integrity of the areas retained under United Kingdom sovereignty at the time of the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus, and guarantee the use and enjoyment by the United Kingdom of the rights secured to it by the Republic of Cyprus in accordance with the Treaty concerning the Establishment of the Republic of Cyprus signed at Nicosia on today's date.
ARTICLE IV
In the event of a breach of the provisions of the present Treaty, Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom undertake to consult together with respect to the representations or measure necessary to ensure observance of those provisions.
In so far as common or concerted action may not prove possible, each of the three guaranteeing Powers reserves the right to take action with the sole aim of reestablishing the state of affairs created by the present Treaty.
ARTICLE V
The present Treaty shall enter into force on the date of signature. The original texts of the present Treaty shall be deposited at Nicosia.
The High Contracting Parties shall proceed as soon as possible to the registration of the present Treaty with the Secretariat of the United Nations, in accordance with Article 102 of the Charter of the United
Nations.
In witness whereof, the undersigned have signed the present Treaty.
Done at Nicosia, this sixteenth day of August, in English and French, both
texts being equally authoritative.
For the Republic of Cyprus: KYPROU MAKARIOS and FAZIL KUCUK
For Greece: C. CHRISTOPOULOS
For Turkey: V. TUREL
For the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: HUGH FOOT
-----
So. Let's look at who exactly has broken this treaty, and whether it should now be considered as holding any water at all. Take each of the key parties in turn:
Cyprus: I think it's fair to say that Makarios shot a big hole in Article number 1. Doh! So that's the government of Cyprus tearing up the Treaty. Not a good start then.
Greece: Wasn't there a certain group of Greek generals that staged the little coup, with a certain Nico Sampson? That's the Greek government too then.
Turkey: Hi-ho! Hi-ho! It's off to invade we go! Three down, only HMG to go.
United Kingdom: Hmmm. Let's read that text again…
"In so far as common or concerted action may not prove possible, each of the three guaranteeing Powers reserves the right to take action with the sole aim of reestablishing the state of affairs created by the present Treaty." So you could just argue that they didn't exert that right; but hey, why spoil a perfect score. Nope, the ole UK did bugger all to stop the invasion other than complain a bit, so that's a clean score sheet as far as I can see.
All the above means that, with all four parties welching on the deal, the whole treaty is not worth the paper it is written on, as far as I am concerned. And still I can find no evidence of a lease-hold agreement. Perhaps the powers that be that monitor these forum-sites can point us in the right direction? (No, I don't mean the moderators, I mean the governments. Yoo hoo. We know you're watching!)
So no agreement, no rent. (Which means therefore, given Big Mak's signature on this letter…
Your Excellency,
We have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your Note of today's date, which reads as follows:-
[See note I]
2. We wish, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, to assure you that the Republic of Cyprus will not demand that the United Kingdom should relinquish their sovereignty or effective control over the Sovereign Base Areas. In the event, however, that the Government of the United Kingdom, in view of changes in their military requirements, should at any time decide to divest themselves of the aforesaid sovereignty or effective control over the Sovereign Base Areas, or any part thereof, it is understood that such sovereignty or control shall be transferred to the Republic of Cyprus.
We have the honour to present our best respects,
Ο ΚΥΠΡΟΥ ΜΑΚΑΡΙΟΣ F. KŰCŰK
Sir Hugh Foot, G.C.M.G., K.C.V.O., O.B.E.
…that the UK goverment has rightful sovereignty of their SBA's.
Unless, of course, you know better…
