Cyprus-Forum.com

[cypezokyli]

i dont think the generals were that important. or that the purpose of kissinger was to remove the colonels. that was more a side effect.

but it is true , we are still missing the motive

[Realist]

I've just been going through the topics after a long time away from this site. I answered a similar question just earlier. I think the motive was divide the island and therefore secure bases on both sides. I united Cyprus that refused the idea of American bases and would eventially begin to question the legality of the Britsh Bases was not a option the West wanted to consider during the Cold War era.

[cypezokyli]

who and why prevented an invation some years earlier then ?
why would they do that , if it was against their interests ?

[Realist]

Earlier the island was effectively an entire military base due to it being a British colony. There was no question of Cypriots demanding an end to the bases at that point.

After independance, America did try to persuade the government to allow the instilation of bases on the island. Also, during the time when Grouchev (not sure if I spelt that right) was in power in the USSR the policy was that an invasion before 1974 would have possible Soviet repercussions. The plans were in place for an invasion, the situation/opportunity just wasn't right until then.

At least that's as much as i've found out.

[cypezokyli]

ok perhaps i was not clear.
was there a possibility that turkey might have invaded the island in 1963 ?
if yes , who hold them back , and why was it in its interest to do so ?