conducive to domestic conflict and foreign
interference. The Constitution itself emphasised
differences between Greek and Turkish Cypriots
thereby encouraging divisive rather than integrative
tendencies between the two communities. Greek
Cypriots were determined to strengthen the unity of
the state but the Turkish Cypriot leadership, at the
strong urging of Turkey, sought ethnic segregation
and geographic separation. This led to brief
intercommunal clashes during 1963 to1967 and air
attacks and threats to invade by Turkey. Turkish
Cypriots ceased to participate in the government,
the legislature and civil service in 1964.
UN sponsored intercommunal talks to reach a
settlement were held during 1968-1974.
Intercommunal tensions subsided and violence
virtually disappeared during this period.
A UN Peace-keeping Force (UNFICYP) for Cyprus
(currently less than 900 military persons) was
established in 1964 following the outbreak of
intercommunal clashes in December 1963 and
threats by Turkey to invade. Its chief task now is to
supervise the buffer zone and maintain the 1974 UN
ceasefire, given that more than 43.000 troops from
Turkey are still occupying the northern part of the
island.
17
