“Why the removal of the British military bases from Cyprus matters” by Stavri Kalopsidiotou, International Law specialist, Member of C.C. AKEL and the Cyprus problem Office of the C.C. of AKEL

 

Wednesday 5th November 2014, “MORNING STAR” daily newspaper         

     

The demilitarization of Cyprus must provide not only for the withdrawal of the Turkish troops, but also for the removal of the British bases either through or after the solution. The demilitarization of Cyprus has been a longstanding position in the Greek Cypriot side and has found its place in Security Council Resolutions, with most pertinent example  the UN Security Council Resolution 1251 (1993).

The reaction of AKEL and of the left progressive movement in Cyprus to the establishment of the British military bases on our country through the Zurich- London agreements was imminent. This was founded on various reasons; primarily on our analysis concerning the legal status of those foreign military bases vis-a- vis the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus and secondly, on our vision of the world and our anti- military ideology through which we understand international relations as a peaceful exercise of coexistence and cooperation.

Moreover, it has become rather inevitable that the perpetual presence of foreign military contingents in our country and their use either in aggressive military operations in the region or in illegal espionage activities, intimidates Cypriots. Additionally, it protracts the insecurity by which we anyway feel very much threatened, due to the Turkish illegal military occupation.  Not to mention the unacceptable consequences of their presence to the ecosystem of the region and the claimed medical handicaps caused by the military establishments and activities in the British bases to the residents of surrounding areas.

The legal status of the British military bases in Cyprus is disputed first and foremost due to the circumstances under which their establishment was agreed. Under international law, an agreement which is the product of duress, and the agreement on the so- called sovereign British bases was, may be challenged. Additionally, their claimed ‘sovereignty’ over territories which form part of the Republic of Cyprus is by no means compatible with customary international law principles through which the territorial integrity and independence of states shall be respected by all means. Additionally, the British government insists on violating operative clauses of the Treaty of Establishment which provide for the payment of remuneration and for their use only by the forces of Commonwealth countries, which obviously should have excluded their use by the USA in the Iraqi war.

Having stated all the above, we do not ignore that the Treaty of Establishment was among the British rewards for de-colonizing our country. Yet, what shall be underlined is that such agreements amount to a disgraceful anachronism, through which the sustaining of the colonial regime, though in a different form, remains the target. It is not in the benefit of the Cypriot people and it is not in the interest of the region and of the international community as a whole, that foreign military bases remain established in Cyprus. It is not even in the interest of any international stakeholder, who is striving for a viable settlement in Cyprus, as any foreign military presence will keep providing the alibi for rendering Cyprus hostage to dangerous foreign external policies that can only de- stabilize our country.

The attaining of a non- handicap self- determination, which is a right in itself for the people of Cyprus, the realization of our long-standing cause of demilitarization and transition to a paradigm of peace in the region and worldwide, shall be respected. After all, if Britain truly stands for what it preaches then democracy and international law shall prevail. Cyprus, shall be disengaged from the shadows of a loaded past, and be freed to provide a peaceful prospect to its people. Of course, a prior prerequisite to that always remains the termination of the illegal Turkish military presence in Cyprus.