Intercommunal Talks and Covert Operations
This chapter covers the period from 1968 to mid-1974, during which intercommunal negotiations between Klerides and Denktash failed to achieve a political settlement while covert operations by the Greek junta and EOKA-B increasingly destabilized Cyprus. The period culminated in the direct confrontation between Makarios and the Athens junta, setting the stage for the July 1974 coup.
Makarios is re-elected to a second term as President of Cyprus.
Intercommunal Talks Begin Between Klerides and Denktash
Intercommunal talks begin between Greek Cypriot representative Glafkos Klerides and Turkish Cypriot representative Rauf Denktash under UN auspices. Three rounds of negotiations (1968-1971) cover constitutional matters, local government, and state structure but reach deadlock by September 1971 over fundamental disagreements on governance.
Assassination attempt against Makarios fails when gunmen attack his helicopter. Polykarpos Georgadjis is suspected. On 15 March, Georgadjis is killed by automatic gunfire, likely by Greek junta agents.
Grivas Returns and Forms EOKA-B
General George Grivas returns to Cyprus secretly and establishes EOKA-B to oppose Makarios and pursue enosis through violent means.
Expanded Talks with Constitutional Experts Near Agreement
Intercommunal talks resume in an expanded format under UN Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim, with constitutional experts Michael Dekleris (Greece) and Orhan Aldikacti (Turkey) joining as advisers. The experts become central to drafting constitutional frameworks. By 13 July 1974, Dekleris and Aldikacti tentatively finalize a draft settlement based on a unitary state with communal self-administration, with ratification by Klerides and Denktash scheduled for 16 July. The coup of 15 July 1974 intervenes one day before the planned ratification, ending the process. Dekleris and Klerides saw this as a concrete opportunity destroyed by the coup, while US diplomatic cables from the period expressed skepticism about the political will on both sides.
Grivas dies of heart failure. Greek junta officer Brigadier Dimitrios Ioannidis assumes control of EOKA-B and the Cypriot National Guard.
According to declassified documents, US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger discusses a Cyprus 'solution' involving Makarios's removal in diplomatic telegrams. The CIA station in Athens maintained close contact with the Ioannidis junta, and US Ambassador to Cyprus Roger Davies repeatedly warned that a coup was imminent.
Makarios Demands Removal of Greek Officers
Makarios writes an open letter to Greek President Gizikis accusing the Greek military regime of supporting EOKA-B and demanding removal of 600 Greek officers from the National Guard.