'Independent' base for British imperialism
Thursday 07 October 2010
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EmailI found the piece on the 50th anniversary celebrations of Cypriot independence (M Star October 1) interesting enough, but there was no mention that the British military still occupies Cypriot territory by maintaining bases in the majority Greek-Cypriot southern part of the island.
These areas were given to the British military as part of the 1960 independence agreement and are ostensibly part of UN efforts to maintain a peacekeeping force between the Greek and Turkish communities.
In reality they are nothing but outposts of British imperialism with a motive to keep a close watch on the Middle East.
It was from the RAF Akrotiri base that US warplanes flew reconnaissance missions before and after the April 1986 bombing raids on Libya, for example.
The true motivation for keeping these bases intact has nothing to do with vague mandates of peacekeeping and everything to do with imperialist aggression in the Middle East region.
We must step up and support our comrades in the Cypriot Progressive Party of Working People and campaign for an end to British military bases in Cyprus and a fully demilitarised island free from both Turkish and British occupation.
Our Cypriot comrades deserve nothing less.
Phil Brand
London SW17
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