INDEPTH: CYPRUS
Timeline
CBC News Online | April 23, 2003
1914:
Annexed by Britain.
1925:
Becomes Crown colony of Britain.
1955:
Greek Cypriots rise up in guerrilla war against British rule, seek unification with Greece.
1959:
Archbishop Makarios, head of the unification campaign, becomes president.
Aug. 16, 1960:
Independence from Britain after Greek and Turkish communities agree on a constitution.
1963:
The two communities erupt in violence after Makarios proposes to eliminate power-sharing arrangements in the constitution.
1964:
United Nations sets up peacekeeping forces on the island.
1974:
Military junta in Greece backs a coup against president Makarios. The president escapes. Turkish troops land in the north causing Greek Cypriots to flee their homes. The coup collapses and Turkish forces occupy a third of the island, enforcing the "Green Line" partition between the north and the south.
Feb. 13, 1975:
Turkish Cypriot area proclaims self-rule, creating its own constitution and government bodies headed by Rauf Denktash.
1980:
UN resumes peace talks.
1983:
Denktash forms the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is only recognized by Turkey.
May 5, 1985:
New constitution for the Turkish Cypriot area passed.
1994:
European Court of Justice rules direct trade between northern Cyprus and EU illegal.
1996:
Violence erupts along buffer zone.
1998:
EU lists Cyprus as potential member.
Greek Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides threatens to install Russian-made anti-aircraft missiles. Turkey threatens military action and Clerides backs down on missiles.
2001:
UN Security Council renews 36-year mission in Cyprus.
Turkey threatens to annex Northern Cyprus if the Republic of Cyprus joins the EU before reaching a unification settlement.
2002:
Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot leaders begin UN-sponsored negotiations, spurred by EU membership.
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan presents a peace plan outlining federation of the two communities and a rotating president.
EU invites Cyprus to join membership by 2004 if the two communities agree to a UN plan by spring 2003. Without reunification, only Greek Cyprus will be included.
2003:
March deadline for unification passes without agreement.
In April Turkish Cypriot authorities ease restrictions and Turkish and Greek Cypriots cross the Green Line for the first time in almost 30 years.
2004:
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan unveils a peace plan in early April for an April 24 vote for both Turkish and Greek Cypriots in a last-minute bid to achieve entry into the EU in May 2004. The Turkish sector of the country approves the plan; the Greeks do not.
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Greek Cypriots reject reunification plan (April 24, 2004)
Cypriot referendum set for Saturday
(April 23, 2004)
Greek Cypriot leader condemns reunification effort
(April 8, 2004)
Human rights, Cyprus progress needed before Turkey can join EU
(April 2, 2004)
UN-sponsored referendum may unite Cyprus
(April 1, 2004)
UN-sponsored talks on Cyprus to go ahead
(March 19, 2004)
Cyprus still candidate for EU membership
(March 11, 2003)
Cyprus reunification talks fail
(March 11, 2003)
Annan tries to broker deal over Cyprus
(February 23, 2003)
Timetable set for Cyprus reunification
(February 13, 2004)
Settle Cyprus dispute, EU tells Turkey
(January 15, 2004)
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