Cyprus, NATO and the old mistakes

The issue of Cyprus' accession to NATO is an old but very bitter one due to the mistakes made and the distortions it reveals in political culture. During the London Conference on February 19, 1959, which ratified the bilateral Greek-Turkish Zurich Agreement on the creation of the independent Cypriot state, a "gentlemen's agreement" was concluded between Greek Prime Minister Konstantinos Karamanlis and his Turkish counterpart, Adnan Menderes.

The agreement was not made public, but Cypriot President Archbishop Makarios III and Turkish-Cypriot leader Dr Fazil Kucuk were informed of its existence. It stipulated, among other things, that Greece and Turkey would support Cyprus' entry into NATO, while the establishment of NATO bases on the island "as well as their composition" would require the agreement of both Athens and Ankara. This provision did not create an obligation for...