Cyprus-Forum.com

[Get Real!]

Cyprus asks Israel's help in ridding of old munitions dumped offshore

They'll probably kick themselves when the Israeli "expert" suggests they evacuate the area and fire at them.

[potassium]

Sure, and they could also ask the 40,000 Turkish troops to help. I'm sure they too "would be happy to help".

Sure they would help and one more thing!

In 1974, Britain was prepared to go to war against Turkey. The Royal Navy had every Turkish Ship shaddowed and British diplomats, the then PM and Foreign Affairs Minister was opposed to the Turkish Invasion, but unfortunately for us, Kissinger and Nixon were in charge and told the Brits to stand down. Even Australian SAS were being deployed in Cyprus as well as tge infamous Ghurka Regiment and Royal Marines.

I keep telling Cypriots to not oppose any tidal waves of international diplomacy, just try and manage it. That's what caused the Greek Coup and Nixon out to destroy Cyprus and Makarios. We made ourselves a threat and tgen we became a target to be elliminated!

Bullshit, pure bullshit.

According to the record of conversation on July 17, 1974, between the then Prime Minister Harold Wilson, the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary James Callaghan and Mr. Ecevit the latter bluntly asked for the British Government's cooperation to invade Cyprus through the British Sovereign Bases.

Ecevit clearly stated at the time that such the objective of the operation would be to restore the constitutional order overthrown by the coup of the Greek junta that forced President Makarios to flee the island.

Although the British Government refused to join Turkey in such an operation they promised Ecevit to 'help' by agreeing to prevent Greece from sending assistance to Cyprus. However, the revealing factor in this case is the concealed intention of Turkey to invade and occupy the whole of the island if one considers the location of the British Bases in Cyprus.

source: http://www.greece.org/cyprus/Treason1.htm

Not to mention that people during the invasion claim that they witnessed British bombers helping Turkey on bombing Cyprus.

[Mik]

No the site your quoting from is vague, too say the least.... And as you are a new member I think you a troll! Now F.O.

[GreekIslandGirl]

more military incompetence -

Photiou said the meeting discussed the dumping of ammunition in the sea in the 80s and 90s, adding that the possibility of ammunition being dumped in the sea by the British Bases as well would be looked into. Britain has retained two military bases on the island since it granted Cyprus its independence in 1960.



http://famagusta-gazette.com/cyprus-def ... 550-69.htm

[potassium]

No the site your quoting from is vague, too say the least.... And as you are a new member I think you a troll! Now F.O.

Was this directed to me?
How is it vague?

"And as you are a new member I think you a troll! Now F.O."

what the hell
alright mate

[Mik]

Really dude... Not your mate.... Again place and time....

[potassium]

Really dude... Not your mate.... Again place and time....

"place and time"

what?

[Paphitis]

Sure, and they could also ask the 40,000 Turkish troops to help. I'm sure they too "would be happy to help".

Sure they would help and one more thing!

In 1974, Britain was prepared to go to war against Turkey. The Royal Navy had every Turkish Ship shaddowed and British diplomats, the then PM and Foreign Affairs Minister was opposed to the Turkish Invasion, but unfortunately for us, Kissinger and Nixon were in charge and told the Brits to stand down. Even Australian SAS were being deployed in Cyprus as well as tge infamous Ghurka Regiment and Royal Marines.

I keep telling Cypriots to not oppose any tidal waves of international diplomacy, just try and manage it. That's what caused the Greek Coup and Nixon out to destroy Cyprus and Makarios. We made ourselves a threat and tgen we became a target to be elliminated!

Bullshit, pure bullshit.

According to the record of conversation on July 17, 1974, between the then Prime Minister Harold Wilson, the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary James Callaghan and Mr. Ecevit the latter bluntly asked for the British Government's cooperation to invade Cyprus through the British Sovereign Bases.

Ecevit clearly stated at the time that such the objective of the operation would be to restore the constitutional order overthrown by the coup of the Greek junta that forced President Makarios to flee the island.

Although the British Government refused to join Turkey in such an operation they promised Ecevit to 'help' by agreeing to prevent Greece from sending assistance to Cyprus. However, the revealing factor in this case is the concealed intention of Turkey to invade and occupy the whole of the island if one considers the location of the British Bases in Cyprus.

source: http://www.greece.org/cyprus/Treason1.htm

Not to mention that people during the invasion claim that they witnessed British bombers helping Turkey on bombing Cyprus.

Watch your language and calm down.

This is a forum to discuss serious matters relating to Cypriot Politics and the Cyprus Issue and not some place where you can come and have a rant.

Unfortunately for you, I disagree with you 100%. I have spent countless hours researching to answer many questions I had. The usual Cypriot explanations of Amerikanodaktilo and the filth of British Colonialism was just never enough for me. I always had many niggling questions such as WHY???? Why?

And no one could really give me a good enough answer. So I read many books, and even researched official documentaion from the Foreign Office and including testimonies from leading British Diplomatic circles right up to the then Foreign Affairs Minister and discussions he had with Kissinger himself.

Some things became very clear to me.

Kissinger, wanted to divide the island and allow double union. Why?

Well Cyprus was considered a threat to NATO's Southern Flank, and by allowing double union, this threat would be nuetralised.

Kissinger, wanted Makarios dead. The Greek Coupists wanted Makarios dead.

Britain became aware of the impending invasion from early on. They protested against it directly to Kissinger himself, and warned the US that Britain may be forced to mobilise for the possibility of military action against Turkey should the RoC's territorial integrity be compromised.

A request by the Turks to use the SBA's was denied by Britain. Britain did not engage in any activity against possible Greek Intervention due to the invasion, but they did act against the Greek Coup which they did not endorse. Noratlas aircraft actually overflew the runway at Akrotiri on the way to Nicosia. The aircraft were actually picked up by British Radar despite popular belief. The Brits did not engage them.

The Brits probably saved Makarios life. My Uncle was an eyewitness to this. This was the most critical piece of information that Britain was not colluding with US and Greece to stage this disastrous Coup.

That's right, even by saving Makarios' life, the Brits acted against US interests, and against Greece.

True to their word, troops begain to arrive. Amongst them were the Gurkhas. Also deploying was the battle hardened Australian SAS (most of these troops saw action in Vietnam). One of the Officers (A Good friend of mine) that deployed there, actually married a Cypriot girl in Cyprus.

These guys do not deploy for no reason. They had clear instructions, and they believed that they could very likely see some action against a NATO country.

Nearly half the Royal Navy was in Cypriot waters and watching the Turkish Invasion fleet proceed towards Cyprus.

These are the facts which you need to research for yourself.

Fact is, BRITAIN, was a far better friend to the RoC than Greece. That's right! it may be difficult for you to fathom, but that is the extent of it.

The RoC's enemies in 1974 - US, Turkey, Greece

The RoC's only very sympathetic ally - Britain, which was seriously entertaining the proepct of stopping the Turkish Invasion as a Guarantor Power.

I know it is difficult for you Greeks to read. I suggest you have a lie down and a nice rest! Thank you!

[Oceanside50]

Paphitis...you may be correct in the deployment of British forces on and around Cyprus but to look into things a bit deeper there was a war on Cyprus in 74 with serious British interests (NATO interests) etc 40000 Turks are landing on Cyprus Greek forces are mobilizing in Greece/Cyprus, potentially over 100,000 soldiers ready to do battle, doesn't it make sense that these Brit interests be protected...There are reports that when Greek airplanes flew from Crete to Nicosia airport at night and below radar , their path took them over the SBA.. Britain warned Greece they would be shot down next time..when the Turks in their second invasion in FamagustA proceeded to go south towards the SBA and at one point the Turks penetrated the sbas boundaries ,brit forces were mobilized towards the Turks,if you look at the green line today it borders the SBA ..Any claims that Britain was in any way contemplating stopping the invasion are false. Last time I heard this about the Brits was about 10 years ago right before the Annan plan vote. Obviously the Brits were trying to drum up support for their side and the spoils Annan gave them on Cyprus' resources..

[Paphitis]

Paphitis...you may be correct in the deployment of British forces on and around Cyprus but to look into things a bit deeper there was a war on Cyprus in 74 with serious British interests (NATO interests) etc 40000 Turks are landing on Cyprus Greek forces are mobilizing in Greece/Cyprus, potentially over 100,000 soldiers ready to do battle, doesn't it make sense that these Brit interests be protected...There are reports that when Greek airplanes flew from Crete to Nicosia airport at night and below radar , their path took them over the SBA.. Britain warned Greece they would be shot down next time..when the Turks in their second invasion in FamagustA proceeded to go south towards the SBA and at one point the Turks penetrated the sbas boundaries ,brit forces were mobilized towards the Turks,if you look at the green line today it borders the SBA ..Any claims that Britain was in any way contemplating stopping the invasion are false. Last time I heard this about the Brits was about 10 years ago right before the Annan plan vote. Obviously the Brits were trying to drum up support for their side and the spoils Annan gave them on Cyprus' resources..

Ocean,

in the end, Britain could do nothing! The Greek Coup and Turkish Invasion were all part of America's plan to have the RoC dissolve by having double union with Greece and Turkey.

Britain did not want the RoC to dissolve, maybe because of their interests with respect to the SBAs.

What was evident through the many declassified documents, was that Britain did not endorse the Coup, or support the Turkish Invasion.

I did read a document whereby the British PM and Foreign Affairs Minister were contemplating attacking the Turkish Navy enroute to Cyprus. The Foreign Affairs Minister described it as the night Britain could be at war, and there was immense pressure from Kissinger. Any British action would also involve Australian SAS troops as well. There was a lot of discussion amongst the Brits themselves about possibly acting against Turkey, and this was documented by Kissinger himself.

There was according to the same memoirs, very heated exchanges between US and Britain at the time.

In the end, they had to stand down.

There are many documents Ocean, which do suggest many things.

The most unfortunate thing of all is this. There is a LOT of anti British slander on this forum. Most of it is underserved.

Sure, Britain did some bad things in the 50s. I accept this 100% Do I hate Britain or Brits for it? No I DO NOT.

Do I forgive them? YES I do! I would like Cyprus to have better relations with Britain for sure.

Do I blame the US for the division? Of course I do.

Do I understand why they did it? Kind of. Does it make it right? Of corse not!

Do I blame the US and hate Americans? No I do not!

The past is the past! No one can turn back the clock now.

The question is, have we learned anything from all this? I hope so!

A bigger question is, what do we do about it?

We, attacking Britain or the US is NOT the answer. It can make things worse in fact.

We need to MOVE ON and our diplomats and politicians need to grow up.

The Americans know they are responsible, and they know they are ethically and morally wrong.

But we need to approach and connect with these countries for them to help us. IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT!!

That is one thing I don't get about Cypriots. We hold on to grudges indefinately.

We need to engage the US in particular, and draw them back into the fray. Things over time change. Interests change and Cyprus now has a great opportunity to make a big impact.

Even NATO membership must be contemplated!

In fact, I believe that if there is a solution, NATO will replace the Treaty of Guarantee with the RoC becomming a full member of the organisation. Turkey will not have a say.

I don't ever want to see Cyprus come up against a superpower ever again. It will lead us to disaster.


At the end of the day, the US played a massive role in dividing Cyprus.

However, it is not enough to just say that the US is to blame. That is completely false!

We, our politicians, are also to blame unfortunately from sheer incompetance and stupidty. Including Makarios who tried to placate the Warsaw Pact nations and Soviet Union against NATO interests so that he can guarantee AKEL's support at election time.

I mean honestly! What the hell could you expect? We were asking for trouble and we got it!!!

We f@#ked up big time as well!!!