25-02-2004, 18:58
Turkish government reacted severely to coup against Makarios. The fact that an authority like Makarios declared Turks were threatened with annihilation in the UN Security Commission set Turkey, one of the guarantor states, on the move. The Board of Ministers convened on 15 July 1974 and gave Prime Minister Bülent Ecevit full authority to take any sort of measure regarding the interests and security of the country.
Meanwhile, clashes continued in Cyprus. The coupists declared martial law in the whole island and soon captured Nicosia and Girne. Nikos Sampson announced that a "Hellenistic Republic" was founded in Cyprus and thereby took a considerable step toward the path to "enosis". Makarios who was flown from the island by England stated that Cyprus was invaded by Greece.
Concerned about the developments, Turkey contacted England, USA and USSR and communicated its reaction. On the other hand, Turkish Grand National Assembly convened out of ordinary upon the summons of President Fahri Korutürk 17 July 1974. Prime Minister went to London the same day and tried to convince the English government for joint intervention but failed to do so. It also submitted a motion at BM level to condemn USSR and Greece, which was vetoed by the USA.
Nevertheless, USA assigned Vice Secretary of State Joseph Sisco to carry out talks in London, Ankara and Athens to solve the dispute in peaceful terms. Prime Minister Bülent Ecevit met Sisco on 18 July and through him gave Greece a ultimatum that included Turkey's requests. The ultimatum demanded that Nikos Sampson quit Cyprus Presidency, 650 Greek officers in the Cyprus National Guardsmen Organization withdraw and a sound warranty be issued for the independence of the island. The junta in Greece was convinced that Turks would not be able to use force due to America's pressure and thus rejected these demands.
Because all these attempts proved inconclusive, Turkey unilaterally started the Cyprus Peace Operation vis-a-vis Article 4 of the Guaranty Agreement. Turkish troops disembarked on the island from Girne and a small bridge was taken between Girne and Nicosia. The National Guardsmen Army and EOKA-B could not struggle with Turkish troops, but went into a huge massacre by attacking Turkish settlements. Hundreds of Cypriots were slaughtered. Women were raped, kids were slain on the streets and villages were burned down. Turkish forces captured Girne on 22 July. On 22 July evening, Turkey accepted the armistice decision of the UN Security Council. As a result of Turkish intervention, the junta administration in Greece and its Cypriot puppet Nikos Sampson Government collapsed.
After the armistice decision, Foreign Ministers of Turkey, Greece and England set for the 1st Geneva Conference on 25 July 1974. The conference ended on 30 July and the following decisions were accepted and declared: "A security zone will be established in the island; Turkish regions invaded by Greeks and Cypriot Greeks shall be evacuated immediately, military and civilian captives shall be exchanged, a constitutional government shall be established when peace in ensured, there exist two autonomous administrations in the Republic of Cyprus, namely the Cypriot Turkish community and the Cypriot Greek community".
With this agreement, it was hoped that the attacks by the National Guardsmen and EOKA-B on the Cypriot Turkish community would end. However, the National Guardsmen and EOKA-B did not evacuate the regions they had infested and they did not release the captives when the 2nd Geneva Conference was proceeding on 8 August. During the second conference, Turks evacuated certain villages around Larnaka to show their "goodwill", but Greek-Cypriot Greek forces continued attacking Turkish forces.
In addition, at the 2nd Conference proceeding in Geneva, Cypriot Greek and Greek delegates denied the issues that the Greek Foreign Minister had consented to at the 1st Conference. Greeks - Cypriot Greeks brought unacceptable recommendations during the talks to drag the issue. They tried to involve certain states, whether related or not, to gain time through table games and planned to prepare forces in Greece and send them to the island. Turkey saw that it was impossible to agree with Greeks - Cypriot Greeks and decided to complete the campaign that had been started on 22 July. The operation began on 14 August and ended on 16 August. Turkish forces reached Magosa at one end, Lefke on the other and thereby determined the Turkish borders.
A special committee was established by the English Parliament to examine the Cyprus Turkish Peace Operation. The report it submitted in 1976 read: "The places that the Turkish forces reached during the 1st Peace Campaign was not sufficient to defend, therefore, the 2nd Peace Operation was inevitable". In addition, Lord Neval said "Had not the Turkish intervention taken place in 1974, there would have remained no Turks on the island". The Muratağa, Atlılar and Sandallar massacres that were revealed after the Peace Operation is evident of the fact that it was a very appropriate decision.
The Cyprus Peace Operation brought the ongoing Greek torture to an end, ensured an environment in which Turks would live comfortably and the yearning for freedom came true as a result of Turkey's appropriate intervention. Although Greeks - Cypriot Greeks spread the propaganda that Cyprus had been invaded by Turkey, Athens Supreme Decision made a decision on 21 March 1979 and confirmed that the Turkish intervention was legal as per Article 4 of the Guaranty Agreement
Meanwhile, clashes continued in Cyprus. The coupists declared martial law in the whole island and soon captured Nicosia and Girne. Nikos Sampson announced that a "Hellenistic Republic" was founded in Cyprus and thereby took a considerable step toward the path to "enosis". Makarios who was flown from the island by England stated that Cyprus was invaded by Greece.
Concerned about the developments, Turkey contacted England, USA and USSR and communicated its reaction. On the other hand, Turkish Grand National Assembly convened out of ordinary upon the summons of President Fahri Korutürk 17 July 1974. Prime Minister went to London the same day and tried to convince the English government for joint intervention but failed to do so. It also submitted a motion at BM level to condemn USSR and Greece, which was vetoed by the USA.
Nevertheless, USA assigned Vice Secretary of State Joseph Sisco to carry out talks in London, Ankara and Athens to solve the dispute in peaceful terms. Prime Minister Bülent Ecevit met Sisco on 18 July and through him gave Greece a ultimatum that included Turkey's requests. The ultimatum demanded that Nikos Sampson quit Cyprus Presidency, 650 Greek officers in the Cyprus National Guardsmen Organization withdraw and a sound warranty be issued for the independence of the island. The junta in Greece was convinced that Turks would not be able to use force due to America's pressure and thus rejected these demands.
Because all these attempts proved inconclusive, Turkey unilaterally started the Cyprus Peace Operation vis-a-vis Article 4 of the Guaranty Agreement. Turkish troops disembarked on the island from Girne and a small bridge was taken between Girne and Nicosia. The National Guardsmen Army and EOKA-B could not struggle with Turkish troops, but went into a huge massacre by attacking Turkish settlements. Hundreds of Cypriots were slaughtered. Women were raped, kids were slain on the streets and villages were burned down. Turkish forces captured Girne on 22 July. On 22 July evening, Turkey accepted the armistice decision of the UN Security Council. As a result of Turkish intervention, the junta administration in Greece and its Cypriot puppet Nikos Sampson Government collapsed.
After the armistice decision, Foreign Ministers of Turkey, Greece and England set for the 1st Geneva Conference on 25 July 1974. The conference ended on 30 July and the following decisions were accepted and declared: "A security zone will be established in the island; Turkish regions invaded by Greeks and Cypriot Greeks shall be evacuated immediately, military and civilian captives shall be exchanged, a constitutional government shall be established when peace in ensured, there exist two autonomous administrations in the Republic of Cyprus, namely the Cypriot Turkish community and the Cypriot Greek community".
With this agreement, it was hoped that the attacks by the National Guardsmen and EOKA-B on the Cypriot Turkish community would end. However, the National Guardsmen and EOKA-B did not evacuate the regions they had infested and they did not release the captives when the 2nd Geneva Conference was proceeding on 8 August. During the second conference, Turks evacuated certain villages around Larnaka to show their "goodwill", but Greek-Cypriot Greek forces continued attacking Turkish forces.
In addition, at the 2nd Conference proceeding in Geneva, Cypriot Greek and Greek delegates denied the issues that the Greek Foreign Minister had consented to at the 1st Conference. Greeks - Cypriot Greeks brought unacceptable recommendations during the talks to drag the issue. They tried to involve certain states, whether related or not, to gain time through table games and planned to prepare forces in Greece and send them to the island. Turkey saw that it was impossible to agree with Greeks - Cypriot Greeks and decided to complete the campaign that had been started on 22 July. The operation began on 14 August and ended on 16 August. Turkish forces reached Magosa at one end, Lefke on the other and thereby determined the Turkish borders.
A special committee was established by the English Parliament to examine the Cyprus Turkish Peace Operation. The report it submitted in 1976 read: "The places that the Turkish forces reached during the 1st Peace Campaign was not sufficient to defend, therefore, the 2nd Peace Operation was inevitable". In addition, Lord Neval said "Had not the Turkish intervention taken place in 1974, there would have remained no Turks on the island". The Muratağa, Atlılar and Sandallar massacres that were revealed after the Peace Operation is evident of the fact that it was a very appropriate decision.
The Cyprus Peace Operation brought the ongoing Greek torture to an end, ensured an environment in which Turks would live comfortably and the yearning for freedom came true as a result of Turkey's appropriate intervention. Although Greeks - Cypriot Greeks spread the propaganda that Cyprus had been invaded by Turkey, Athens Supreme Decision made a decision on 21 March 1979 and confirmed that the Turkish intervention was legal as per Article 4 of the Guaranty Agreement