'Some sort of an agreed line'. The negotiations for the ceasefire demarcation line in Cyprus, 30 July - 9 August 1974

Abstract

Using recently declassified British documents, this paper looks at the negotiations for the demarcation of an agreed ceasefire line between the invading Turkish forces and the defending Greek-Cypriot National Guard. These negotiations took place in Cyprus between the end of July and 9 August 1974 and were successful only in part, as the attempt to draw a mutually agreed line eventually proved futile. Through the examination of the available documents, this paper highlights a number of areas: it draws a vivid picture of the negotiations themselves and the difficulties they faced; it sheds light on some of the aims and objectives of Britain; it gives some information of the conditions on the ground in Cyprus during the tragic and confused period between the first and second invasion; last but not least, it draws out the aims and ultimate policy of Turkey, the invading power, which were to become amply evident only a few days later.