A formerly top secret UK report shows Britain’s territory on Cyprus formed a key part of NATO’s surveillance and nuclear capabilities in the Mediterranean during the Cold War, despite knowing this was “not consistent” with the island’s non-aligned stance.
by Matt Kennard
by Matt Kennard
Part 2 - ‘Not consistent with the non-aligned position’
Independent Cyprus’s first president, Archbishop Makarios, was prominent supporter of Non-Aligned Movement during Cold War
But British territories on Cyprus were “of great strategic importance” to NATO
Top secret map shows UK ran “NATO communications station” in Cyprus outside of British base areas
Covert surveillance operations were carried out from British Cyprus “on behalf of NATO”
Targets for Cyprus-based nuclear-capable Vulcan bomber squadrons were coordinated with NATO
UK planners cautioned “it is important to avoid drawing attention to the NATO implications of military activities” on British Cyprus
“The continuation of the UK position in Cyprus,” the report noted, “is of great strategic importance to [NATO].”
Despite this, the report continued, “association with [NATO] is clearly not consistent with the non-aligned posture adopted by Cyprus.”
The UK knew how controversial this would be if made public, noting “it is important to avoid drawing attention to the NATO implications of military activities which affect the Republic of Cyprus.”
The report went further, stating that the UK needed to hide the true role of its Cyprus bases. It noted that only if the UK “is circumspect in the use of its bases for NATO purposes” would there be “good reason to suppose that the UK will be able to use its defence facilities in Cyprus without serious interference.”
Despite this, the report continued, “association with [NATO] is clearly not consistent with the non-aligned posture adopted by Cyprus.”
The UK knew how controversial this would be if made public, noting “it is important to avoid drawing attention to the NATO implications of military activities which affect the Republic of Cyprus.”
The report went further, stating that the UK needed to hide the true role of its Cyprus bases. It noted that only if the UK “is circumspect in the use of its bases for NATO purposes” would there be “good reason to suppose that the UK will be able to use its defence facilities in Cyprus without serious interference.”
The British planners warned of “any more overt or increased use” of the UK bases for NATO purposes, “such as the setting up of a NATO Headquarters or the assumption by a UK Commander of a NATO appointment”.
But the nature of the British bases led the planners to conclude that Makarios would not make it an issue. “Since the main facilities are on sovereign British territory, President Makarios is able to avoid any direct responsibility for their use,” it noted.
“He is unlikely to take any extreme anti-British position, choosing rather not to notice what he cannot publicly approve.”
But the nature of the British bases led the planners to conclude that Makarios would not make it an issue. “Since the main facilities are on sovereign British territory, President Makarios is able to avoid any direct responsibility for their use,” it noted.
“He is unlikely to take any extreme anti-British position, choosing rather not to notice what he cannot publicly approve.”
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