39 years ago in Cyprus

This week marked the 39th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus.  On July 20th 1974, Turkish troops landed near Kyrenia and after a few months of fighting managed to occupy approximately 38% of the island.  Over a third of the islands' population (both Greek and Turkish Cypriots) were displaced, and thousands died in the conflict.  Turkey's invasion was in response to an attempted coup against Archbishop Makarios, the President of the Cypriot Republic.  The objective of the coup was to overthrow Makarios and install a pro-Greek government who would fast track 'enosis' or union with Greece.  This scenario represented a significant risk to Turkish Cypriots, and came after years of simmering dissent between the two ethnic communities on the island after the declaration of independence in 1960.  The coup failed, but it was enough to trigger the invasion, and Cyprus has been divided ever since.   

A protest to commemorate the 'missing'

Last Friday sirens sounded out across the island at the exact time Turkish troops first landed, and ceremonies were held to commemorate the invasion.  The issue of the Turkish occupation is highly emotive and sensitive for most Cypriots.  To this date 1614 people remain 'missing' since the 1974 invasion, and countless others are refugees who have not been able to return and who lost everything.  We had dinner at a friends house last week, and there was a protest nearby where people carried lighted torches (to symbolise the missing 1614 people) up to a Turkish checkpoint.   

The issue (or Cyprus problem as it is commonly referred to) remains one of the most intractable problems of division in the world today.  A recent book said that Cyprus has been stubbornly immune to peace and reunification efforts since 1974.  Another commentator referred to Cyprus as a 'diplomats graveyard', in reference to the long list of global leaders and negotiators who have sought to broker a solution here without success.  The latest UN special envoy/negotiator is of course Australia's very own Alexander Downer.  Unfortunately the prognosis is not good, and after 39 years of division major impediments still remain to finding a solution.

A tree near our house: the idealogical ties with Greece
remain strong in Cyprus

Downer meets with Nicos Anastasiades, President of
Republic of Cyprus