Britain needed a base at the Eastern end of the Med'. Unlike America or Russia it had no oil of its own, and relied on Middle East supplies. In return it offered a degree of protection to suppliers.
The ever-expanding communist influence was also deemed to require a strong military presence in the area. The fear was that Communist forces would spread from the Balkans down the Black sea and restrict free movement in the area.
In 1955 a sudden boost was given to the movement when Makarios returned from the United States. He told Grivas that the Greek Prime Minister had failed to win UN support and wanted action too. Makarios offered more money to buy arms.
Expecting trouble, British intelligence intercepted a plan to land arms and on January 26, HMS Comet intercepted a small boat carrying 10,000 sticks of dynamite, arms and hand grenades. Thirteen Cypriots were arrested.
Grivas moved into the hills and began organising his fighters. A second consignment was landed on March 2, this time successfully. Three weeks later Grivas said he was ready to start his campaign and Makarios gave him his blessing.
Over the next four years 600 people were killed, mostly Greek Cypriot and nearly 1300 wounded.
Enosis had stirred nationalist feelings in Turkish Cypriots. The aim was different. Turkish Cypriots had always leaned towards partition or Taksim - Greek Cypriots to unity with Greece or Enosis. And then there was the Communist movement representing 30 per cent of the population which wanted a totally independent Cyprus.
Neither of the Greek Cypriot options appealed to the Turkish Cypriots.
Throughout the conflict so far Britain had been employing its divide and rule tactic, favouring the Turkish Cypriot minority before the Greek Cypriots. Britain always had an ear for Turkey but invariably told Greece to stop meddling.
Britain hoped Turkish Cypriot unrest on the island would help nullify the Enosis movement.
It seems, apart from feuds at a family level, the two communities had in the past lived side by side in relative harmony. There was no intermarriage, but no bloodshed either.
Britain helped fuel the division by appointing Turkish Cypriots as police, and training a special reserve force to combat the EOKA fighters. Many were drawn from Volkan the Turkish terrorist force.
Prime Minister Anthony Eden called for Turkey to declare against Enosis, but Turkey simply wanted Britain to quit the island and let it revert to Turkish dominance.
By 1956 Britain had had enough of Makarios and deported him to the Seychelles. Within a year he was released to Athens, but not allowed home until 1959.
Continued pressure eventually broke down Britain's resistance. A conference in London attended by Turkey, Greece, Greek and Turkish Cypriots and of course the British, struck a deal for Independence.
When Makarios raised several points he was threatened with his removal from power and partition of the country. He had little choice but to comply.
Archbishop Makarios was elected president later that year and in 1960 the country became an independent republic.
The constitution Cyprus was saddled with was virtually unworkable. Makarios tried to implement changes but they were regarded as unfair by the leader of the Turkish Cypriot representatives, Kuchuk.
Intercommunal violence flared up and acts of great barbarity on both sides were committed.
It was 1963. Turkish troops secured an enclave at Kokkina and the guarantor powers found themselves fighting respective guerrilas skirmishes in pockets across the island in an attempt to restore order. The British manned a division through Nicosia drawn on a map with a green crayon.
Late in 1963 Kuchuk declared the constitution dead and withdrew with all the Turkish Cypriot members. Turkey now openly declared its intention to partition the island.
General Grivas arrived back a year later with trained Greek army officers in great number. By this time Britain had virtually handed over the problem to the USA which believed the only solution was partition.
Makarios was offered a different solution. Ioanniades of the Greek Military Police and Sampson, a former leading light in EOKA came and offered to eliminate the Turkish Cypriots “To the last one”. Makarios refused the offer and they left in ill temper.
In 1964 Turkey planned at least four invasions of Cyprus but was deterred by the Americans.
When in 1995 documents were released under the 30 year limitation rule it was evident that Britain, Greece and USA planned a Greek led coup under which Makarios would be replaced by Grivas. US believed Turkey could be bought off with a few Dodecanese Islands and compensation for any Turkish Cypriots who wished to move.
The Republic however survived another 10 years until 1974.
(End)
