WI Turkey occupies all of Cyprus
- Thread starter acgoldis
- Start date
Turkey didn't want to occupy all of the islands. It was sending a point to EOKA and Athens that they would protect ethnic Turks if the regime in Cyprus couldn't. They could be a little more ambitious and take a little bit more border territory but that is really it.
But in any case if turkey occupied all of the islands, there would probably be a regime change a permanent military base for turkey there and then notwithstanding the bases, military withdrawal.
But in any case if turkey occupied all of the islands, there would probably be a regime change a permanent military base for turkey there and then notwithstanding the bases, military withdrawal.
The short version is that Turkey was well aware of what it could and could not get away with on the international stage. Their entire justification for going in was to protect Turkish Cypriots from ethnic cleansing. This was accomplished by creating a protected enclave for them in the North of the island. The international community was not thrilled about this but also didn't get too upset as Turkey had demonstrably limited their objectives. (For better or worse, I think a lot of the world leaders were privately happy that Turkey had largely defused the ticking time bomb that was Cyprus at that time even if they weren't thrilled with how they went about it.)
If they had instead occupied the entire island that would open up a whole new can of worms: 1) the "defensive" justification would be shown to be a pretext and nothing more, 2) they would face accusations of imperialism and quite possibly see their neighbors banding together to contain any future "aggression", and 3) they would find themselves in the position of having forcibly occupied a large Greek population that the Turkish Cypriots would probably not stop attacking (let's be honest, both sides were pretty brutal to each other) and now the shoe is on the other foot. Instead of claiming the moral high ground of protecting an "oppressed minority" they would now be subject to credible accusations of facilitating ethnic cleansing against the Greek Cypriots. Whether or not Turkish troops were involved, it would be very hard for them to not be blamed for any and all atrocities that might take place. At a minimum, that would resurrect the specter of the Armenian Genocide. (Definitely grounds for Greece and Armenia to get really friendly with each other.) Finally, they would potentially face a UN-backed military effort to expel the Turkish military from the island altogether. This being the height of the Cold War, you can bet the USSR would be more than happy to take the Greek side on the issue at the UN if for no other reason than it being a golden opportunity to undermine NATO unity. Whether or not this would lead to actual action is pure speculation but there would definitely be consequences for such an overreach by Turkey.
If they had instead occupied the entire island that would open up a whole new can of worms: 1) the "defensive" justification would be shown to be a pretext and nothing more, 2) they would face accusations of imperialism and quite possibly see their neighbors banding together to contain any future "aggression", and 3) they would find themselves in the position of having forcibly occupied a large Greek population that the Turkish Cypriots would probably not stop attacking (let's be honest, both sides were pretty brutal to each other) and now the shoe is on the other foot. Instead of claiming the moral high ground of protecting an "oppressed minority" they would now be subject to credible accusations of facilitating ethnic cleansing against the Greek Cypriots. Whether or not Turkish troops were involved, it would be very hard for them to not be blamed for any and all atrocities that might take place. At a minimum, that would resurrect the specter of the Armenian Genocide. (Definitely grounds for Greece and Armenia to get really friendly with each other.) Finally, they would potentially face a UN-backed military effort to expel the Turkish military from the island altogether. This being the height of the Cold War, you can bet the USSR would be more than happy to take the Greek side on the issue at the UN if for no other reason than it being a golden opportunity to undermine NATO unity. Whether or not this would lead to actual action is pure speculation but there would definitely be consequences for such an overreach by Turkey.
You have been able to fly into Larnaca or other republic of Cyprus airports and get a taxi across the border since Cyprus joined the EU - it was part of the deal. Done it loads of times - a short taxi ride from Larnaca to Famagusta
This
Turkey was intervening under the authority as it it saw it of the tripartite guarantee to Cyprus when it became a republic signed by Greece, the UK and Turkey. As it saw it the Greek Junta was illegitimate, the British weren't going to act (true) and therefore they had no other option.
Recommend '30 Hot Days' by M.A. Birand published by Rustem as a good text from the Turkish side setting out the context and timeline of the intervention
Yeah, but I'm flying out of Turkey and you can't fly from Turkey into Larnaca without going through Frankfurt first. To get into ECN is just a 1 hour flight.
I know you can't cross the border in a rental car rented in the north. You can take a cab across both ways? By sheer chance I'll be there October 1st for the Independence Day celebrations in the south.
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this is true - enjoy the trip. If in the north visit Kyrenia and the St. Hilarion crusader castle - quite spectacular. Old town of Famagusta is very nice too. Covered Bazaar in Nicosia for all your Lokum to take home. Parking there is a bit of rabbit warren but we always use the old camel market near the mosque/venetian cathedral. My aged father in law remembers it as the camel market!
I was debating renting a car (God help me trying to drive on the left) and putting myself in a hotel in Famagusta. It's cheaper than Kyrenia and if I already have a car it doesn't make sense to stay in Kyrenia.
car is a good option and relatively easy to get to Nicosia and Kyrenia from Famagusta (about an hour drive for both). Best hotel in Famagusta is Palm Beach. Small, walking distance to old town and quiet as next to Varosha (the closed area). Driving on the left is good as it is a mark of civilization and good manners 
Golden Sands? That got good reviews -- I'm looking into it.car is a good option and relatively easy to get to Nicosia and Kyrenia from Famagusta (about an hour drive for both). Best hotel in Famagusta is Palm Beach. Small, walking distance to old town and quiet as next to Varosha (the closed area). Driving on the left is good as it is a mark of civilization and good manners
Is it worth crossing the border somewhere to see the Oct 1 celebrations while I'm there?
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Deleted member 2186
According to Wikipedia, the Turkish advance halted when it reached the edge of the Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area to avoid military conflict with the United Kingdom.
Bleh for. Driving on the left.. The rest.. Agreed..car is a good option and relatively easy to get to Nicosia and Kyrenia from Famagusta (about an hour drive for both). Best hotel in Famagusta is Palm Beach. Small, walking distance to old town and quiet as next to Varosha (the closed area). Driving on the left is good as it is a mark of civilization and good manners
Avid lovedrof. Cyprus and many trips spent on both sides.. But driving on the left.. Feh
If they did that (taking your post literally{) they areat war with the UK.
Yes
Ark Royal plus escorts. With the US Sixth Fleet as backup.
The Cyprus SBAs included an airfield with Vulcan bombers, nuclear bombs and all. Possibly Lightning fighters too.
Was Turkey already a member of NATO at this period? If the US and the UK fight the Turks, it will fracture the NATO alliance. The USSR would be watching with popcorn.
Yes
But that's one reason the UK didn't act to stop or reverse the invasion. And also why Turkey didn't challenge the UK over the SBAs or seek to regain the whole island.