Backstory to rape of the aegean

What were the reasons behind the attempted assassination of President Makarios of Cyprus in 1974?

When or if you have read the book (hope you have enjoyed it) there is an army coup funded and sponsored by MI6. Back in 1967 a coup sponsored by the CIA was successful, and it ruled Greece until 1974.

The attempted assassination of President Makarios of Cyprus in 1974 was a complex event with multiple intertwined motives. Here's a breakdown of the key factors:

1. Political tensions:

• Enosis vs. Independence:  Makarios, while initially supporting Enosis (union with Greece), later shifted towards a policy of Cypriot independence. This angered Greek nationalists and the Greek military junta, who saw him as an obstacle to their goal of uniting Cyprus with Greece.

• Communism: Makarios was also viewed with suspicion by some due to his perceived leftist leanings and his non-aligned foreign policy during the Cold War. This made him a target for anti-communist groups and foreign powers who feared Soviet influence in the region.

2. Greek Junta's Involvement:

• Control over Cyprus: The Greek military junta, led by Dimitrios Ioannides, sought to exert greater control over Cyprus and saw Makarios as a barrier to their ambitions. They supported and orchestrated the coup attempt to install a more compliant leader.

• Nationalist fervor: The junta also exploited the nationalist sentiment for Enosis to gain support for their actions, portraying Makarios as a traitor to the Greek cause.

3. EOKA-B and Nikos Sampson:

• EOKA-B: This paramilitary group, led by Georgios Grivas, advocated for Enosis through violent means. They carried out the coup attempt with the support of the Greek junta.

• Nikos Sampson: A notorious figure with a history of violence, Sampson was installed as the president after the coup. His extremist views and actions further destabilized the situation and led to the Turkish invasion.

4. Turkish Intervention:

• Pretext for invasion: The coup attempt and the ensuing chaos provided Turkey with a pretext to invade Cyprus, citing the need to protect the Turkish Cypriot minority. This led to the division of the island and the ongoing Cyprus dispute.

5. Other factors:

• Personal ambitions: Some individuals within the Cypriot National Guard and political circles might have had personal ambitions and grievances against Makarios, contributing to their participation in the coup.

• Foreign influence: There were allegations of foreign involvement in the coup attempt, with some suggesting that the CIA or other intelligence agencies might have played a role. However, these claims remain controversial and unsubstantiated.

The attempted assassination of Makarios was a culmination of these complex factors, ultimately leading to a tragic chapter in Cypriot history. The coup attempt and the subsequent Turkish invasion had a profound and lasting impact on the island, resulting in its division and ongoing political tensions.

Click below to listen to what happened on the 21st April 1967.

WitnessHistory-20231206-AGreekCoupTheDayTheColonelsTookPower.mp3

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