Cyprus: A Communist Country in Europe

Russia had a partiality for Cyprus even before the days of air travel owing to its position at the eastern end of the Mediterranean. Russia likes the option of bringing its shipping down through the Black Sea and into the Med’ and the Aegean. It gives access to the Baltic States, and the chance to knock on the door of Southern European countries should it have a mind to.

Large markets in Zambia and Kenya, North Africa, the Middle East are available this way – and the stepping stone to them is Cyprus.

Crimea

When the Crimean War broke out, Britain supported Turkey against Russia, something that Mother Russia has probably never quite been able to forget. In return for Britain’s support, Turkey agreed to hand over Cyprus for an agreed rent. Britain raised the levy by taxing Cypriot produce to the tune of 10 per cent. The Cypriots in effect had to pay to be ruled by someone else.

Later, in the Great War, when Turkey sided with Germany. Britain no longer felt obliged to pay any dues over Cyprus, and upon the successful outcome of the war – for Britain and allies at least – the island was made a Crown Colony.

Annexation

Turkey and Greece recognised Britain’s annexation of Cyprus in 1923, and in 1925 it became a Crown Colony crushing hopes for Enosis.

Whatever their misgivings about British rule, Cypriots were staunch supporters of the Allied cause in World War II.

This was particularly true after the invasion of Greece in 1940. Conscription was not imposed on the colony, but 6,000 Cypriot volunteers fought under British command during the Greek campaign. Before the war ended, more than 30,000 had served in the British forces.

Important base

As far as the island itself was concerned, it escaped the war except for limited air raids. As it had twenty-five years earlier, it became important as a supply and training base and as a naval station, but this time its use as an air base made it particularly significant to the overall Allied cause.

Patriotism and a common enemy did not entirely erase enosis in the minds of Greek Cypriots. Propagandists remained active during the entire war, particularly in London, where they hoped to gain friends and influence lawmakers.

During the war, Britain made no move to restore the constitution that it had revoked in 1931; to provide a new one; or to guarantee any civil liberties.