In the 1960s  the power struggle  continued between the Greeks and Turks living on Cyprus.  Since both nations were member of NATO this put the USA in an awkward position.   Also, it was the time of the Cold War and the USA did not want anything  to weaken American strength in the Mediterranean.  

 

In the early 1970s, Turkey invaded the island of Cyprus and partitioned it between the Turks and the Greeks.  The Turks have been critisized for invading an "independent state",  but the fact is, they put an end to the Cyprus crises.     

As part of Turkey's negiotations to join the EU they have had to recognize the legitimacy of the Cypriot government in the south of the island. This is the first time they've done this since they invaded and occupied the northern part in 1974. 

Interesting. Are the Cypriots in the south satisfied with this or do they want to reunite the island?

I read somewhere there are more troops per square mile on Cyprus than anywhere else in the world. The southern Cypriots want their country reunited as it was before 1974. Turkey is the only country to recognise the northern half as an independent nation. For the rest of the world it's an illegal occupation of a sovereign state, hence the number of UN and British troops along the border between the two halves.  

Mark

 

There are only two British units of battalion size in the Greek part of the island (south) the Greek cypriots have quite sizable militia and of course the UN have troops whitch I think at present are Argentinians,

 

the North is a different matter there is a divison of Turkish regular troops plus a Turkish National Guard so I supose it has got more troops per square mile but they are well hidden you dont see that many.

 

Arnie

Wasn't there recently a referendum on both sides of the island where the Turkish side voted for reunification and the Greek side voted against.  Put the cat amongst the pidgeons.  For years everyone believed it was the other way around.