TENSIONS RISE ON CYPRUS

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06762119
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2022
• Document Release Date: August 30, 2018
• Case Number: F-2016-01647
• Publication Date: December 6, 1974

Approved for Release: 2018/08/22 C06762119
'Nov
Weekly Summary
C
-Scent_
No. 0049/74
0049/74
6 December 1974
Copy Ng
71
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The WEEKLY SUMMARY, issued every Friday morning by
the Office of Current Intelligence, reports and analyzes signif-
icant developments of the week through noon on Thursday. It
frequently includes material coordinated with or prepared by
the Office of Economic Research, the Office of Strategic
Research, and the Directorate of Science and Technology.
Topics requiring more comprehensive treatment and therefore
published separately as Special Reports are listed in the
contents.
CONTENTS (December 6, 1974)
1 Tensions Rise on Cyprus
MID
HEN
NR Record
(b)(3)
(b)(3)
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'Nor/
-SLEGRE-T-
Niese'
Tensions Rise on Cyprus
oncern has mounted on all sides over the
possibility that Archbishop Makarios' scheduled
return to Cyprus this weekend will trigger vio-
lence between pro- and anti-Makarios factions in
the Greek Cypriot sector of the island. Greek
Cypriot security authorities have taken extra
precautions to curb possible hostilities, and
Turkish military forces are prepared to intervene
should the fighting become widespread and
threaten Turkish Cypriot civilians in the south.
Meanwhile, the results of a summit meeting
between Greek and Greek Cypriot leaders have
Makarios with Clerides (c) and Karamanlis
Ti
provided a ray of hope for prospects of an
eventual negotiated settlement of the Cyprus
problem.
In a communique released on December 1,
following two days of talks, Archbishop
Makarios, Acting President Clerides, and Greek
Prime Minister Karamanlis noted that agreement
had been reached on a negotiating position and
that written instructions will be drawn up and
given to Clerides so that he may begin substantive
negotiations with the Turkish Cypriots
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Clerides (I) and Denktash (r)
Clerides returned to Nicosia on December 2
and two days later held another of his weekly
meetings with Turkish Cypriot Vice President
Denktash. While they continued to focus on
humanitarian issues, Clerides doubtlessly gave
pired in Athens.
no date was set
or another meeting pending Makarios' return and
a further clarification of the Greek Cypriot posi-
tion.
In Ankara, Turkish officials warned that
Makarios' return to Cyprus could torpedo the
talks between Clerides and Denktash and could
lessen the chance for a negotiated settlement.
They also warned that Turkish forces on Cyprus
would take "necessary measures" to protect
Turkish Cypriots living in the Greek Cypriot
sector should their safety be endangered by an
outbreak of intercommunal fighting. As a pre-
cautionary measure, martial law was extended
another month in four of Turkey's provinces.
Turkish forces in Cyprus as well as some mainland
air force units were placed on alert.
While the Turkish moves reflect a genuine
concern about the safety of Turkish Cypriots on
the island, they are probably intended to en-
courage Makarios to 'accede to the more moderate
positions of Clerides and Karamanlis or even to
cancel his return to the island. Makarios has
restated his intention to return on December 7,
however, although the timing could change for
security reasons.
Pro-Makarios groups in the Greek Cypriot
sector are preparing to give Makarios a rousing
welcome. Once on the island, the archbishop is
expected to limit his movements for security
reasons, holding a series of consultations with
leading members of the Greek Cypriot com-
munity at his residence. Eventually, he is likely to
make some personnel changes in the government
to consolidate his position.
In the meantime, national guard and police
officials have instituted strict security measures
and are bracing for the possibility of violence.
These officials reportedly believe that EOKA-B,
the terrorist organization that participated in the
July coup against Makarios, has been weakened
and that responsible EOKA-B leaders now realize
that Greek Cypriot unity is essential in the
months ahead in view of the Turkish threat. At
the same time, they do not discount the pos-
sibility that an extremist splinter group or in-
dividual might attempt to assassinate the arch-
bishop.
The security officials also expect that at
least some anti-Makarios activity, including bomb-
ings, may occur, particularly in the Larnaca and
Limassol districts, but that it is likely to be
limited. Moreover, a number of killings are ex-
pected in the coming weeks as members of op-
posing factions seek revenge for the death of
friends and relatives during the July coup.
In the long run, the level of violence will
depend on the willingness of Makarios to seek
reconciliation with his opponents and the extent
to which he can control his own followers.
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