EOKA: Difference between revisions
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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EOKA A BARABIC ORGANISATION WHO KILLED 1200 TURKISH CYPROITS IN A GENOCIDE FASHION. |
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*[[EOKA B]] |
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tHEY ARE RESONABLE FOR THE DEATH OF 12000 TURKS. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 16:00, 28 July 2008
| EOKA | |
|---|---|
| Leaders | George Grivas |
| Dates of operation | 1955–1959 |
| Headquarters | Cyprus |
| Opponents | British Empire |
EOKA (Εθνική Οργάνωσις Κυπρίων Αγωνιστών, Ethniki Organosis Kyprion Agoniston (Greek for National Organisation of Cypriot Fighters)) was a Greek Cypriot nationalist organisation that fought for the expulsion of British troops from the island, for self-determination and for union with Greece. The United Kingdom had promised Greece that all the above would be a commitment to be fulfilled if Greece would enter World War I on the side of the Allies; the offer was withdrawn when Greece declined.[2]. EOKA engaged to free the Greek Cypriots from British rule. The leadership of AKEL, at the time (a communist organisation), opposed EOKA's military action, preferring strikes and demonstrations. This came into direct contrast with the previous leadership who some 5 years ago organised the plebiscite of 1950, where the vast majority of all Greek-Cypriots who voted were for the union with Greece (98%). This was organised by the Church and there are reports that the threat of excommunication was used to encourage voting for enosis. [citation needed].
The organisation was headed by George Grivas, a Cyprus born Colonel in the Greek army, who distinguished himself during World War II and the subsequent Hellenic Civil War[citation needed]. Grivas assumed the nom de guerre Digenis in honour of the Byzantine Digenis Akritas, who repelled invaders from the Byzantine Empire during the Middle Ages. The EOKA was clandestinely supported by the Greek Government in the form of arms, money and propaganda on radio stations broadcast from Athens. Its military campaign began on April 1 1955 and while its main target was the British military, the EOKA also targeted civilian installations on the island as well as assassinating pro-British Cypriots, informants, Taksim (Turkish Cypriot supporters of partition), and members of the Turkish Cypriot insurgent organisation, the Turkish Resistance Organization.
Over the period 30,000 British troops were assigned to combat the organisation[citation needed]. Troops were used to bring down any action that would evoke patriotic feelings[citation needed] (Greeks were not allowed to sing their National anthem and the education was controlled[citation needed]) as well as actively hunt EOKA personnel.
On the 16 June 1956, the bombing of a restaurant by EOKA led to the death of William P. Boteler, a CIA officer working under diplomatic cover. Colonel Grivas immediately issued a statement denying a deliberate attempt to target American citizens. He further warned American officials, for their own safety, to avoid the establishments patronized by "our British enemy."[3]
In October 1956 an EOKA leader, Pilots Christofi, was captured by HIMEOBS during Operation Sparrowhawk. The following year Grigoris Afxentiou was burned while still alive by the British troops[4]. A number of other Greek fighters were hanged, including the 18-year old, Evagoras Pallikarides. [5]
EOKA's activity continued until December 1959 when a cease-fire was declared which paved the way for the Zürich agreement on the future of the country.
The EOKA aim to rid Cyprus of British rule was partially met when on 16 August 1960 Cyprus achieved independence from the United Kingdom with the exception of two "Sovereign Base Areas" (SBA) at Akrotiri and Dhekelia. The settlement explicitly denied enosis - the union with Greece sought by EOKA. Although Cyprus gained its independence, it came with a complex constitution and the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee - a security arrangement compromising of a three-way guaranteeship from Turkey, Greece and Britain that neither would annex the independent republic. (see History of Cyprus).
After independence EOKA fighters formed regional associations such as ΣΑΠΕΛ (Σύνδεσμος Αγωνιστών Πόλεως και Επαρχίας Λεμεσού; Union of Fighters of Limassol and district) that have been participating in commemorations, museum collections etc. In the 90's a dedicated old people's home for ex EOKA fighters was constructed in the village of Palodhia, near Limassol.
A museum dedicated to the EOKA struggle was created in 1960 and is located in the centre of Nicosia.[6]
See also
EOKA A BARABIC ORGANISATION WHO KILLED 1200 TURKISH CYPROITS IN A GENOCIDE FASHION. tHEY ARE RESONABLE FOR THE DEATH OF 12000 TURKS.
References
- ^ Kraemer, Joseph S. (Winter, 1971). "Revolutionary Guerrilla Warfare & the Decolonization Movement" (PDF). Polity. 4 (2): 146. Retrieved 2008-04-26.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ [1]
- ^ Gup, Ted. Book of Honor: Covert Lives and Classified Deaths at the CIA page 90, New York, Doubleday, 2000. ISBN 0-385-49293-6
- ^ Grivas, George (1964). The Memoirs of General Grivas. London: Longmans.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Simpson, Alfred William Brian (2001). Human Rights and the End of Empire: Britain and the Genesis of the European Convention. Oxford University Press. pp. p.876. ISBN 978-0199267897.
{{cite book}}:|pages=has extra text (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ Leonidou, Leo (Thursday, June 22, 2006). "The flag that marked the end of colonial rule". Cyprus Mail. Retrieved 2007-04-17.
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