v18_2485 - CHYPRE INDÉPENDANTE - MAKARIOS III Souverain or 1966 Paris

INDEPENDENT CYPRUS - MAKARIOS III

(1959-1974)

Cyprus, which has around 750,000 inhabitants, has been under British administration since 1878, and a Crown colony since 1925. Greek Orthodox Archbishop Mgr Makarios took the lead in the struggle for independence in 1950 while Greek Colonel Grivas launched the guerrillas against British forces. In 1959, the island received its independence, jointly guaranteed by England, Greece and Turkey. Becoming president in 1960, Makarios III could not prevent the continuation of the struggles between Greeks and Turks and, in 1964, the UN had to intervene and send Blue Helmets. Pro-Soviet, Makarios III was overthrown in 1974 with the support of Greek colonels. Turkey then retaliates and secures control of the northern part of the island. The island has since been partitioned between two states, a buffer zone of about 3% of the territory remains under UN control.