1964–1967

International Intervention and Cold War Politics

This chapter covers the period from 1964 to 1967, during which the Cyprus crisis became internationalized through UN peacekeeping, Cold War diplomacy, and repeated threats of Greek-Turkish war. The establishment of UNFICYP, the Johnson Letter, failed diplomatic plans, and the Kophinou crisis defined a period in which external powers shaped the trajectory of the Cyprus problem while both communities experienced deepening separation.

Turning Point

Economic Isolation of Turkish Cypriots Begins

Following the intercommunal violence and UN Security Council Resolution 186 of March 1964, Turkish Cypriots face growing economic isolation as the Republic of Cyprus government (now controlled solely by Greek Cypriots) asserts exclusive authority over the island's trade and international relations. The isolation intensifies after the 1974 division and the 1983 TRNC declaration, which is recognized only by Turkey. The 1994 European Court of Justice Anastasiou ruling effectively closes EU markets to northern Cyprus exports. The embargo encompasses direct flights (Ercan Airport is blocked from international routes), mail (routed through Turkey via Mersin 10), phone lines (operating under Turkey's country code), sports (athletes cannot compete under a northern Cyprus flag), and banking. Despite EU pledges after the 2004 referendum to ease isolation, the Republic of Cyprus blocks implementation of a direct trade regulation.

Full-scale conflict phase begins with renewed hostilities between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot forces across Cyprus.

According to declassified State Department cables, US and UK officials discuss partition scenarios in the context of preventing Soviet influence in Cyprus, where AKEL has approximately 10,000 members and Makarios pursues a non-aligned foreign policy.

Turning Point

UNFICYP Peacekeeping Force Established

UN Security Council unanimously adopts Resolution 186, establishing the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), which becomes operational on 27 March 1964.

According to a BBC Radio 4 investigation, British Major Ted Macey supplies arms and ammunition to Turkish Cypriot forces under British orders during January-June 1964. The account, drawn primarily from a single investigation, remains contested.

Turning Point

Johnson Letter Warns Turkey Against Invasion

US President Lyndon Johnson sends letter to Turkish Prime Minister Ismet Inonu warning against a Turkish invasion of Cyprus, stating NATO would not be obligated to aid Turkey if the invasion led to conflict with the Soviet Union. The Johnson Letter becomes a watershed moment in Turkish foreign policy, fundamentally shaking Turkish trust in NATO and driving Turkey toward more independent foreign policy.

British naval intelligence officer Martin Packard, engaged in mediation efforts, achieves an agreement for a Turkish Cypriot resettlement program with approval from all political leaders. The effort collapses in mid-June when Packard is removed from the island. Packard later submits a 250-page peace report to the Commonwealth Relations Office, which is embargoed by Whitehall.

US envoy Dean Acheson proposes two plans for Cyprus: Plan I (July) envisions union with Greece, Turkish Cypriot autonomous cantons, and a Turkish sovereign military base; Plan II (August) offers Turkey a 50-year lease on a smaller, non-sovereign base. Both plans are rejected by Makarios; Greece finds them politically unfeasible; Turkey rejects Plan II.

Turning Point

Greek Cypriots Take Sole Government Control

Turkish Cypriot officials, displaced from government buildings since the violence of December 1963, are unable to return to their posts. Greek Cypriots assume sole control of the Republic's government. Turkish Cypriots maintain that the government operating without their constitutionally mandated participation is illegitimate. Makarios establishes a Greek Cypriot National Guard with officers covertly transferred from Greece.

Greece secretly deploys an understrength division to Cyprus beyond the official ELDYK force, numbering over 7,000 troops answerable directly to the Greek military. This unauthorized presence continues until 1967.

Major hostilities end. According to UN reports and communal records, total casualties from the 1963-1964 conflict period are estimated at approximately 364 Turkish Cypriots and 174 Greek Cypriots killed, though figures vary across sources. Approximately 25,000 Turkish Cypriots (a quarter of their population) flee their homes from 104 villages.

Turning Point

Turkish Cypriots Confined to Enclaves

Following the intercommunal violence, Turkish Cypriots are confined to enclaves comprising roughly 3% of the island's territory. Greek Cypriot authorities impose restrictions on movement of goods, building materials, and essential supplies into the enclaves. UN reports and Red Cross records document significant economic hardship. These conditions persist until 1974.

The Soviet Union supports Makarios diplomatically at the UN, provides arms to the Republic of Cyprus, and uses the Cyprus crisis to exploit NATO fissures between Greece and Turkey. Soviet Premier Khrushchev issues warnings to Turkey against invasion, complementing the Johnson Letter.

Military coup in Greece brings the junta of Colonel Georgios Papadopoulos to power, leading to a more aggressive Greek policy toward Cyprus and enosis.

Greek Cypriot forces under General Grivas attack Turkish Cypriot villages of Ayios Theodoros and Kophinou. 26 Turkish Cypriots and 4 Greek Cypriots are killed, bringing Cyprus to the brink of a Greek-Turkish war.

US envoy Cyrus Vance mediates a troop withdrawal agreement between Greece and Turkey. Greece subsequently withdraws its secret division from Cyprus and recalls Grivas to Athens by January 1968.

Turkish Cypriots proclaim a provisional administration, which functions as a de facto government providing education, healthcare, policing, and judicial services to the Turkish Cypriot community. It operates until 1974. Makarios declares it illegal.