Foinikas
Elite Member
No,that's what the Turkish side claims. The problem was Turks wanted more powers,even if they were a minority on the island and that's how problems arose. I had checked that out some time ago after we had some disagreement about it on PDF.
Eventually, on 30 November 1963, Makarios put forward to the three guarantors a thirteen-point proposal designed, in his view, to eliminate impediments to the functioning of the government. The thirteen points involved constitutional revisions, including the abandonment of the veto power by both the president and the vice-president. Turkey initially rejected it (although later in future discussed the proposal). A few days later, on Bloody Christmas, 21 December 1963, fighting erupted between the communities in Nicosia. In the days that followed it spread across the rest of the island, resulting in the death of 364 Turkish Cypriots and 174 Greek Cypriots, and the forced displacement of 25,000 Turkish Cypriots. At the same time, the power-sharing government collapsed. How this happened is one of the most contentious issues in modern Cypriot history. The Greek Cypriots argue that the Turkish Cypriots withdrew to form their own administration. The Turkish Cypriots maintain that they were forced out. Many Turkish Cypriots chose to withdraw from the government. However, in many cases those who wished to stay in their jobs were prevented from doing so by the Greek Cypriots. Also, many of the Turkish Cypriots refused to attend because they feared for their lives after the recent violence that had erupted. There was even some pressure from the TMT as well. In any event, in the days that followed the fighting a frantic effort was made to calm tensions. In the end, on 27 December 1963, an interim peacekeeping force, the Joint Truce Force, was put together by Britain, Greece and Turkey. After the partnership government collapsed, the Greek Cypriot led administration was recognised as the legitimate government of the Republic of Cyprus at the stage of the debates in New York in February 1964.
From the start,the Turkish Cypriots were in favor of Taksim. That's what they persued. While Greek Cypriots before the independence of Cyprus from Britain,were in favor of union with Greece,they settled for an independent Cypriot State that would be for both Greeks and Turks and all the rest of the tiny minorities,Armenians,Maronites etc.
Makarios didn't rule the island with the Junta. You're wrong. On the contrary,Makarios was the one demanded mainlander officers leave the island,something which sparked outrage here. Then Cypriots had EOKA B which launched a coup against him. And in this political turmoil and Greek infighting,Turkey found the chance and excuse to launch an operation that led to the capture of 38% of the north and to eventually fullfill the original Taksim theory,plan,ideology whatever you wanna call it,and divide the island into two sovereign States. One recognized by the international community and another de facto,unrecognized Turkish one.
