Why does the UK need military bases in Cyprus? Cyprus under the rule of Byzantium: IV-XII centuries AD Within the Roman Empire

Adrian, G0KOM will be active from UK military base near Avdimou Beach, Cyprus 27 - 31 October 2017 as ZC4MK.
He will operate on HF Bands.
He also plans to take part in the CQ WW DX SSB Contest.
QSL via home call.
Address for QSL direct:
ADRIAN MCGONIGLE, 67 Avon Road, Chelmsford CM1 2JX, England.
The country on the list of the DXCC diploma is the British military bases in Cyprus ZC4.

British military bases in Cyprus: information that you did not even know about

Cyprus is in the top three densely populated islands mediterranean sea. It is located in the east of the Mediterranean, geographically belongs to Asia. The island is very rich story, and the political and economic system regularly underwent cardinal changes. Great Britain played a major role in the development of Cyprus, which to this day maintains two military bases on the island.

Jump, Avdimou beach, British military base, Cyprus. Author of the photo - Mark Petts.

Why did Britain need Cyprus?

After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire due to economic crisis Britain managed to buy out about 44% of the shares of the Suez Canal. Thanks to this, the government of the United Kingdom got a port, which was the only outlet to India, China and other Asian countries. This was followed by a series of wars, of which the most significant was the Russian-Turkish war, which took place in 1877. The British were afraid that the Russians could take away the territories of the Mediterranean if they started a war with them, so they decided to strengthen their positions on the island.

They knew that this island was the only obstacle to the countries of Asia. Therefore, 1878 was marked by the landing of British troops on the territory of Cyprus. The location was seaport Famagusta. The first landing attempt was unsuccessful. The soldiers were not prepared for high temperature, humidity, an abundance of mosquitoes, as a result of which the ranks of the army thinned significantly.

Avdimou beach, British military base, Cyprus. Author of the photo - Liz Pamboris.

British colony

As a result of the Russian-Turkish war, Berlin convened a congress, during which the right to own the island was transferred to Great Britain. The British signed lease agreement with Turkey, according to which the Turks received 100,000 pounds sterling every year, and England could own Cyprus. The decision to lease the island has long been heavily criticized by the British government. The reasons for this were as follows:

1. Cyprus was acquired with the aim of strengthening the position of Great Britain on the world stage, without spending a single cent, but this goal was not achieved even after many years.
2. The island was considered a land of abundance, which would increase the capital of the country through the development of industry and agriculture. This myth was dispelled immediately after the English pioneers visited Cyprus: unbearable heat, humidity, and the area is swampy and unsuitable for planting all kinds of crops.

Great Britain barely made ends meet: a significant amount was allocated from the treasury to pay rent, and Cyprus did not bring profit at all. After that England long time made attempts to create a military base on the island, but due to political pressure from Turkey and Europe, all efforts were in vain.

Avdimou beach, British military base, Cyprus. Photo by - Michael Smith1985.

Cyprus in the 20th century

In 1912, the British government declared the island unprofitable. The kingdom suffered significant losses, trying to establish at least some kind of production on its territory. It was decided to give the island to Greece. But the authorities of the Greek state refused, because they wanted to maintain a truce between the governments of Germany and Britain.

And yet Cyprus came in handy for Britain. When did the first World War, England recognized this island as an excellent headquarters for the navy. After that, the government of the United Kingdom annexed Cyprus from Turkey and started building military field headquarters and shipping yards. After the signing of the Lausanne Peace Treaty, Cyprus officially became a colony of Great Britain, and in 1960 the island gained independence.

Why does Britain need military field headquarters in Cyprus now?

Despite the fact that more than 50 years ago, England signed the Zurich-London Treaty, it continues to contain about 5% of the island's territory. On this square there are large military bases of England - Akrotiri and Dhekelia.

The reason why the country's government does not leave the island is simple: the British understand the importance of these military bases in the context of the policies of Western countries, the Mediterranean region and certain parts of the Caucasus. In particular, thanks to Cyprus, the UK has the opportunity to:

1. Conduct reconnaissance operations in the Mediterranean, the Caucasus, Transcaucasia, in the south Russian Federation, in the Crimea and even in the Donbass.
2. Carry out the landing of troops on the territory of Iraq, Afghanistan and individual Arab countries near the Persian Gulf.
3. Control territory near Cyprus.

At the same time, England does not oppose what is happening on the territory of Cyprus itself. Thus, in 1974, the government of the United Kingdom made no attempt to prevent the Turkish occupation of the island and prevent the split of a sovereign state. The reason for neutrality is as follows: it is possible that England follows the idea of ​​the revival of the Hellenic unity (the union of all Greek-speaking territories and countries). The idea of ​​Hellenic unity is contrary to the West, which plays into the hands of England. Most likely, for this reason, the military bases of the state are located on the Greek part of the island - in Cyprus.

The other day, London confirmed that the status of its Sovereign Territories in Cyprus under the treaty, which is exactly half a century old, will remain the same.

Political scientist Leonid Shepilov comments:

Fifty years have already passed since Great Britain, under the terms of the Zurich-London Treaty on Cyprus (August 1960), introduced British status from mid-November of that year to almost 5% of the territory of Cyprus. British military and intelligence bases are located in these areas, and in the status of the Sovereign Territories of the United Kingdom. The mentioned British areas are located in the east of the Mediterranean. And in its extreme West, another British territory remains - Gibraltar, also with military and intelligence bases. That is, London, and, therefore, NATO will continue to control these most important strategic points in the Mediterranean.

Moreover, British base territories in Cyprus were created before the First World War. Because in London they understood and understand not only the role of these bases in the context of Western policy in Mediterranean region and in the adjacent Caucasus, in particular.

This is very instructive example, by the way, for Russia - in the context of Sevastopol, our military facilities in the Crimea, Kerch Strait. Russia could well have taken advantage of this British “experience” on the Crimean peninsula, but during the collapse of the USSR, our authorities preferred to fix the Ukrainian status of the entire Crimea and the waters adjacent to it ...

Meanwhile, British bases in the British regions of Cyprus, they allow, firstly, to "look through" not only the Caucasus and Transcaucasia. But also the whole South of Russia, Crimea, Donbass. Not to mention all the countries neighboring Cyprus and the nearby Suez Canal. And secondly, it was these areas that were used, in particular, for the recent transfer of British troops to Iraq, Afghanistan, some Arab countries Persian Gulf.

Let me note that these base territories in the mentioned Treaty and other documents on Cyprus (1959-1960) were qualified as guarantors of the independence and integrity of Cyprus. But in fact, Great Britain contributed to the Turkish occupation of almost half of this island in the summer and autumn of 1974. For neither politically nor militarily, London has done nothing to counter Turkish aggression and the split of Cyprus.

Because the idea of ​​the revival of the Hellenic unity - the union of all Greek-speaking countries and territories - is still contrary to the interests of the West. Therefore, in 1974, the British declared neutrality during Turkish invasion, and today London does nothing to overcome the split of Cyprus. It is also characteristic that almost all British Sovereign Territories on this island are located precisely in its Greek part, that is, in the Republic of Cyprus.

Special for the Centenary

The resort island state is located in the warm Mediterranean Sea (its eastern part). Millions of visitors flock here different corners the globe. Many curious guests legendary places it will be interesting to know where Cyprus is located and in which country?

Cyprus owes its popularity among tourists to favorable geographical location and wonderful climate.

But these advantages were the culprits of many events that influenced the geopolitical situation in the country.

Cyprus is located at the crossroads of the sea routes of three major continents. It has always been an object of attention, a strategic target for Europe, Asia and Africa. The conquerors of the island rapidly succeeded each other. What country was not Cyprus. Cypriots managed to be under the control of the Assyrians, Turks, Romans, Greeks, Persians, Egyptians, British. Cyprus was part of:

• Byzantium (4th century BC).
• Venice (XII century).
• Ottoman Empire (1571-1879).

The island has belonged to Great Britain since 1879. England was the last Cypriot colony (1925-1960). modern republic retained a lot from British colonization: left-hand traffic, legislation, has become extremely popular English language. You can find the island on the map here.

Cyprus modern

In 1959, the country gained sovereignty. This decision was made at the negotiations of three countries: Turkey, Great Britain and Greece. In 1960, the island adopts a constitution and becomes a presidential republic.

The Constitution of the 60th year states that Cyprus is a state with guaranteed observance of the principle of equality of power between the two Cypriot national communities (Greek and Turkish).

The President of the Republic must become a representative of the Greek Cypriots, and Vice-President - the Turkish Cypriots. Deputies were also required to be elected from two national groups. But since 1963, the Turks stopped taking part in the Legislative Assembly.

According to the legendary legend, Cyprus is an island of happiness, because it was here that the people from sea ​​foam goddess of tenderness and love Aphrodite. But, unfortunately, modern Cypriot history far from perfect. Here reigns irreconcilable enmity between the two national clans.

military coups

The aggravated armed clashes led to the deployment of UN troops to the island (1964). 10 years later, Greek Cypriot extremists, with the support of the Athenian government, carried out a coup d'état. The legitimately elected President Makarios was overthrown, and Cyprus was reunited with Greece. In these turbulent years, the country is under the influence of the junta.

A week later, the Turkish authorities sent a military contingent to the island, hiding behind the need to protect the Turkish Cypriots. More than 7,000 people died as a result of armed clashes, and about 300,000 fled the island with refugee status. Soon the Turkish community occupied almost half of the entire territory.

The Turks destroyed ancient monuments, plundered centuries-old Byzantine Temples. At this time, Cyprus irretrievably lost many of the most valuable relics - cultural values were taken out of their historical homeland.

Soon the creation of the Cypriot Federative State of Turkey was announced to the world community. And on November 1, 1983, the world learned about the emergence of the Northern Turkish Republic of Cyprus.

It was recognized only by Abkhazia, also by Turkey. Separation problem insular territory applies to modern times, it is of great concern to all Cypriots.

Who owns the republic

Which country does Cyprus belong to today? Now the island is split into two independent parts - Turkish (located in the north) and Greek ( southern places) ethnic communities.

Greek Southern Cyprus

Greek Cypriots make up about 77% of the total island population. It is here that tourists come to enjoy an excellent holiday. Southern Territory has the status of an independent state. Officially, it is called the "Republic of Cyprus". The Greek community professes Orthodoxy.

• Christianity originated in this country over 2,000 years ago. According to the conclusions of historians, it was here that the world's first state of Christians appeared.

The south of the island part was admitted to the European Union (May 2004). Southern Cypriots call the northern regions "occupied territory".

Turkish Northern Cyprus

Officially an island Northern part), mastered by the Turks, is called the "Turkish Republic Northern Cyprus"(TRNC). The Turkish Cypriots living here profess Islam. IN northern regions many mosques were built (most of them were converted from Christian churches).

Despite numerous claims that lawlessness reigns in the TRNC, these places are safe and open to tourists. What person does not like to relax! Northern resorts are no different from the southern ones and even surpass them.

territory of northern Cyprus

Advice. If you decide to relax in the north of Cyprus, pay attention to best resorts in these places. These are the cities of Dipkarpas, Famagusta and Kyrenia. Turkish Cypriots are known for their warm hospitality.

buffer zone

So, the island is officially divided into two parts. Between them is an artificially created buffer zone. She is also called " Green Line". The UN contingent is patrolling the dividing territory. The line passes through the island through the Cypriot capital Nicosia from Morphou to Famagusta (Gazimagusta). Both cities belong to Northern Cyprus.

Is the island part of Greece?

The republic has always had close ties with neighboring Greece. But the Cypriot territory is not under Greek jurisdiction and has no control from the Greek government. During the time of the largest financial crisis in Greece, its echoes touched this country, but no more than other regions and Europe itself.

• Although Cypriot banks are closely related to Greece, all other branches of the Cypriot economy are separate from the Greek country and do not belong to it.

British dominions

The country has a small area, occupying about 3% of the entire territory, British-owned. Two Cypriot cities belong to England: Dhekelia, Akrotiri and the nearby islands: Kiedes, Mazaki, Agios Georgios, Kordylia, Geronissos, Glyukiotiss and Kila.

Will Cyprus reunite?

What is the problem that most concerns the Cypriots now? The question of the unification of the two communities. The indigenous people of the island (Greek and Turkish) are waiting and hoping for a merger of territories.

In 2004, the country held a referendum for reunification. As a result, almost all Greek Cypriots said "Yes" to the merger of disparate parts, while the Turkish Cypriots were against it.

The Turkish government has an impact on its settlers (and they arrived in the Cypriot north during the unrest of about 150,000 people). The leader of the TRNC, Rauf Denktash, declared the unacceptability of the developed plan. But there is hope that this problem is in beautiful country will still be resolved through negotiations between Turkey and the European Union.

Summing up

So, which country does Cyprus belong to? This island is an independent state recognized all over the world. Legally, the Republic of Cyprus has sovereignty over its entire island territory (with the exception of 3% belonging to England) and the sea waters adjacent to it.

Cyprus falls into the Persian province of Ionia after the defeat of Egypt (526 BC). Protracted Greco-Persian military skirmishes have been disturbing the island for decades. It would seem that two hundred Athenian ships will put an end to this confrontation, but in 380 BC. the ruler of the Persians, Artaxerxes II, returns everything to normal, and Cyprus becomes a Persian autonomy. After 30 years, the island is shaken by an uprising against the Persians, which after 6 years, like the last sparks of a fire, is extinguished by the authorities of Persia.

Alexander the Great enters the arena of history. His campaigns lead to the annexation of Cyprus in 321 BC. to Egypt. The reign of the Seleucids was short at the turn of the 4th-3rd centuries BC.

The island becomes a province of the Roman state in 58 BC. More than 15 Hellenistic rulers survived Cyprus during this period. Culture develops on ancient Roman and Greek myths. In are: the Houses of Aeon, Dionysus, Orpheus, Theseus, the House of the Four Seasons. The temple of Apollo Khilatsky, the patron of forests and animals, was built in Kourion.

Particular attention is paid to the goddess Aphrodite. On the island you can see the place of her birth - - rocks in the middle of the bay. The worship of Aphrodite here has resulted in several world famous buildings. For example, built in the 12th century, it is able to rejuvenate anyone who dips in it with its waters.

The rule of Isaac Komnenos of Cyprus, who tried to carry out a coup in 1185, did not save the island from the troops of Richard I the Lionheart. The King of England occupies Cyprus during his Third Crusade. Isaac Komnenos did not even save where he took refuge.

On May 12 of the same year, in the chapel of the Limassol castle, Richard is married to the eldest daughter of Sancho VI of Navarre, Berengaria. It was at this event that Richard proclaimed the local wine "commandaria" the best in the world, we told this story in the article "".

The crusaders give the Cypriots peace architectural masterpieces: Hagia Sophia (Nicosia), Church of St. Nicholas (Famagusta). During this period, Bellapais Abbey appears. The castle of St. Hilarion becomes a bastion of the Crusaders. Now they have the glory of the most beautiful castle ruins in the Mediterranean.

Richard sells the island to the Knights Templar. Those resell it soon to the lord of Jerusalem, Guy de Lusignan. The Lusignans ruled for 3 centuries. In 1489, Caterina Cornaro, the last of the queens of Cyprus, leaves the throne and hands over the island to the Venetians.

The Ottoman Empire strengthened its positions in the Mediterranean, and the Venetians, trying to defend themselves from the attacks of the Turks, were building fortresses-castles in Kyrenia, Famagusta and Nicosia. The 16th century completes the prosperity of the Republic of Venice. 1570 - Famagusta surrendered. The Ottomans converted St. Nicholas Cathedral in Famagusta into a mosque, naming it after Pasha Lala Mustafa, a Turkish general.

June 2013. The large anti-submarine ship "Admiral Panteleev" and the ocean rescuer "Fotiy Krylov", which are part of the operational formation of the Russian Navy ships in the Mediterranean Sea, made a business call at the port of Limassol of the Republic of Cyprus to replenish supplies and rest the crews.

Russia got the opportunity to create a stronghold in Cyprus. While the former colonial power Great Britain, on the contrary, weakens its control over the two military bases that it has on this island. Cypriots get more rights.

Road safety islands allow motorists to get an idea of ​​the features and structure of traffic organization, while transport hubs deliberately attract all traffic flows to themselves - that's what they are designed for - and then redistribute them to new directions. Cyprus would gladly play the role of an island of safety in history and would prefer that captains hungry for conquests and Ottoman pashas carefully studying maps bypassed it, but at the same time it would serve as a transport hub for merchants and other people skilled in crafts without crooked sabers and combat helicopters.

However, this green Island in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, located between Europe and the Arab world, quickly turns into a staging post and refueling base - for the crusaders and imperial armies, for refugees and US-British listening installations.

This month, Cyprus made some changes to the functioning of its transport hub, and his actions did not attract much attention, but they did not become less significant: the Russian leadership will be able to use the air base of the Cypriot armed forces in Paphos, located on west coast islands in close proximity to a small civil airport, which is used by the owners of villas and tourists on vacation. This agreement was reached in early January during talks between Defense Minister Fotis Fotiou and representatives Russian Ministry foreign affairs. How much Russia will pay for this, and whether it will pay at all, is still unknown. Politically, this is a very important agreement, and if it had been reached during the reign of leftist former President Dimitris Christofias, who was in power from 2008 to 2013 and was educated in Moscow during Soviet times, it would , would probably cause a lot of noise on the island itself, as well as critical comments from NATO in Brussels. Cyprus is not a full member of NATO, but participates in the Partnership for Peace program (Partnership-for-Peace).

The Russian navy is now able to use the port of Limassol on a long-term basis, although in the past Russian ships regularly and increasingly frequently called in for refueling and resupply. The reason for the conclusion of this Russian-Cypriot agreement was, of course, Syria. Only 200 kilometers separate Cyprus, which is a member European Union off the coast of Syria. At Tartus, in the southern part of the coast, Russia has the only naval base in the Mediterranean area; reports of an imminent withdrawal from this base due to the dangers associated with fighting between government forces and rebels, Russia constantly denies. Nevertheless, the Russian Air Force would not interfere with the second reliable point of support in Cyprus. The port in Limassol, as well as the Andreas Papandreou Air Force Base in Paphos, will help Russian army to carry out transport operations for humanitarian purposes, as well as in case of emergency - at least as stated in the statement of the Cypriot Minister of Defense. Storage and placement of weapons is not provided.

But back in 2013, Russia had an intention to use the airbase in Cyprus. And this led to a conflict of interests between the United States and Russia in island nation, according to an article published on Tuesday in the Greek newspaper Greek Reporter.

Its author notes that the Cypriot government, forced to look for a solution that suits both sides, found itself between two fires, since any option could create problems in Cyprus' relations with Moscow or Washington.

According to the SigmaLive website, the starting point of the conflict was a request Russian government to the defense department of Cyprus on the lease of the air base. In response, the Cypriot government stated that it could agree to the use of military facilities, but the request to lease the air base would be difficult to satisfy.

The Americans, having received information about the Russian request, made it clear to the Cypriot government that they categorically disagree. When the Cypriot government reminded the United States that Russia was providing continuous security and financial assistance to Cyprus, the United States responded that "Cyprus is also under the influence of the United States," the article says.

Cyprus in the midst of a crisis

The Cypriot government signed a similar agreement with France in 2007 regarding Paphos. However, the opening of the air base for Russia, as well as the beginning of the long-term use of the port of Limassol, come at a time when reports are coming in that Moscow is increasing arms supplies to the Syrian regime. It is possible that weapons and ammunition are also delivered by sea with a call to Cyprus.

Conservative Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, also this month, completed negotiations begun under his predecessor on changes to the functioning of both British military air bases on the island. In this case, we are talking about the use of non-military sites on the territory of these bases, while the sovereign base areas (Sovereign Base Areas) is a separate issue: a total of 254 square kilometers British overseas territory are under the authority of the queen and are controlled by military commanders, and the Cypriot villages located inside are considered enclaves.

This piece of UK territory was retained by the British government in 1960, when Cyprus was granted independence. After 54 years, Anastiasiadis put his signature under the agreement, which he called historical: “The rights of the people living in the territory of these bases have been restored, and at the same time, the needs of communities and local population regarding their land and property." About 8,000 Cypriots and 7,500 British soldiers with their families live in the Akrotiri base, located on the southern tip of the island near Limassol, as well as the Dhekelia base, located east of Larnaca. By bus or car, you can easily pass through the overseas military territories, but the rights of the Cypriots, who remained under British control, were limited for a long time. Now more than three-quarters of the territory will be put into circulation again - for the construction of houses, roads, for new investments, mainly in the tourism sector.

British listening service GCHQ as well as its big American brother The Agency national security(NSA) reacted much faster: they have already upgraded their wiretapping installations in Cyprus and have begun to take information from submarine cables in order to monitor data flows in the Middle East. This is evidenced by documents provided by Snowden. According to a newspaper investigation published in November 2013, half of the cost of maintaining British listening equipment in Cyprus is paid by the NSA, and this primarily applies to installations in the town of Agios Nikolaos (Ayios Nikolaos) on the territory of the Dhekelia base, which in a certain sense represent the divine ear Anglo-Saxons. This is exactly what happens when it comes to a transport hub, and not a quiet island of safety.