Defending Cyprus in the Early Postcolonial Era: Makarios, NATO, USSR and the NAM (1964–1967)

This paper focuses on political developments regarding the Cyprus Conflict from 1964 to 1967 and argues that the ethnic conflict on the island was caused largely by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) pressures that neglected Cypriots’ socio-political will in shaping postcolonial Cyprus. Towards the end of the colonial era, British ‘divide and rule’ policies had severely damaged inter-ethnic relations in Cyprus. Afterwards, the NATO alliance designed Cyprus as a sui generis state with restricted sovereignty. The constitution did not function as a social contract for Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities since its infrastructure was imposed by the NATO states. With the inflammation of inter-ethnic violence, the NATO states attempted to absorb the Republic of Cyprus. Armed nationalist groups on the island, connected to NATO-sponsored circles in Greece and Turkey, diminished the confidence of the island’s communities that peaceful coexistence could be achieved. Cypriot President Makarios balanced NATO’s power by utilizing international support, particularly that granted by the Non-Aligned Movement. Politically and economically, his policies managed to enhance Cyprus’ independence. Makarios’ priority was preserving Cypriot integrity by withstanding NATO plans for partition. The main product of Makarios’ diplomatic efforts was significant international anti-NATO solidarity supporting Cypriot independence.