Cyprus-Forum.com

[cannedmoose]

Their sovereignty is limited.It is not like you think.
Anyway the RoC chose so far to leave the matter flu.I consider the Parliament declaration more of a warning to British hostile policy against RoC.If this continues the Bases will be out for sure.Notice they cannot function not for a single day without the "cooperation" of RoC.

I think you're wrong re, they are considered sovereign territory and regarded as British overseas territory (in a similar manner to places like Gibraltar). The bases are a bit of an oddity in more than one sense. I know of no other British military area in the world where civilians are permitted to enter and explore largely at will.

If it ever came to the RoC adopting a policy of non-cooperation, I think you'd see a counter-threat of the bases reverting to a more routine type and civilian access highly restricted. Essentially, this would result in the isolation of the exclave GC village territories within the base and the isolation of the tourist mecca that is the Agia Napa/Protoras area. Restrictions on access to this area would severely impact on the RoC tourist industry. It is true that the new m/way linking the east does not have checkpoints, but it does run through base territory.

As for the bases being 'out for sure' if the current British policy continues, I think the powerful interests involved in the operation of those bases would deter such a move by the Cypriot government. Such a move would more likely trigger the wrath of a number of powerful and influential countries, all of whom have it within their power to unilaterally recognise the TRNC, in the same way as the US recognised the PRC in 1971. It's not a threat that I'm making, I'm just pointing out the hazards of a small country like Cyprus attempting to 'mix it with the big boys'. In the past it's always ended in tears and I think it would surely end up the same this time.

[MicAtCyp]

that the RoC may not function a single day as well without the cooperation of the Brits!

Ha???? So far I ve read 3 posts of yours, each one is more of a joke than the previous one.

[gabaston]

gladius

welcome to the forum.

i have read your posts with interest and look forward to many many more.

[rotate]

I was told some years ago that if the British were to leave the SBA's these areas would be handed back to Cypriot Administration. Western SBA would be controlled by a GC administration and the Eastern SBA controlled by a TC administration.

My informant, a Cypriot former Civilian Govonor of the Western SBA feared that if this was happen the the ESBA of Dhekelia would become yet another 'border' effectively cutting of what remains of Famagusta District, Paralimni etc from the rest of the RoC.

Has anyone else on this Forum heard about this, is it correct?

I am not trying to scaremonger, my interest in the SBA's is that they were very useful to me and mine in 1974 and that I am able to listen to BBC radio 4 and 5 through the British Forces Broadcasting Service (not sure if this is a treasonable offence?) and no I do'nt visit the SBA's, not even for fish 'n' chips.

[Dhavlos]

not heard that one....was this before or during the Annan plan stuff?

I doubt this is true now if it was said before the annan plan.

[Dhavlos]

either that or its a well kept secret!!!!

[gladius]

that the RoC may not function a single day as well without the cooperation of the Brits!

Ha???? So far I ve read 3 posts of yours, each one is more of a joke than the previous one.

No hesitation: In the contest of joking you are far in front of me! I will try to learn from you!

[rotate]

I heard about this in the early 1990's, source was trustworthy and not given to exaggeration. He had real concearns about what was going to happen under the terms of the agreement made between the British and the RoC over the SBA's should the British evacuate ESBA.

It was at a time when the British military were in "pull down" mode and serious consideration was being given to the need for the ESBA within an overall strategy.

[cannedmoose]

Rotate, from what I know, I believe if the British ever decided to close the SBAs and return the land to Cypriot sovereignty (despite what MicAtCyp says they are 'sovereign' territory of the UK according to international treaties), the SBAs would be returned to the legally recognised government of the Republic of Cyprus, i.e. it would be returned to what is today the GC-run Republic of Cyprus. So I don't think the people of Protoras/Agia Napa or Paralimni have anything to fear.

Even under the Annan Plan, I believe the vast majority of the 40-odd square miles of land the British offered to hand over was in the ESBA and was destined for handover to the GC constituent state.

[demetriou_74]

britian giving back bases. i think that belong is 'Jokes and Enigmas' section