(2 of 8)
Waffled Position. The U.S. sent Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Joseph J. Sisco skyhopping through the danger zone between Athens and Ankara to work out a solution. His chances of success were slim, however, because the U.S. had appeared to waffle all week on what position to take on the crisis involving two of its allies.
The problem was that a cease-fire was impossible to enforce even for the 2,188-man U.N. peace-keeping force, which has been stationed on the troubled island since 1964. Within one day, 6,000 Turks had been put ashore in Cyprus. Not only were the Turkish forces fighting Cypriots loyal to Greece but both Greek and Turkish Cypriots were taking advantage of the invasion to resume fighting among themselves. Ankara was reportedly determined to land three divisions before it would even consider a ceasefire.
Angry Greek Cypriots, who only days before had been fighting one another over whether to remain loyal to Makarios and maintain their country's independence or to form a union with Greece, now joined in determinedly to resist the invaders. Nikos Sampson appeared on television to declare his pride in the fighting spirit of his soldiers. "The Turkish enemy must be driven into the sea!" he cried. Prisons were emptied of fighting men, including 1,200 policemen who had supported Makarios and been jailed following Sampson's successful coup against him.
They were a ragtag regiment. Some wore the camouflage suits of EOKA-B, the pro-Athens, anti-Makarios terrorist group. Others had on U.S. Army fatigues with American names still stenciled over pockets. All gave defiant V-for-victory signs as they straggled off to the front where they faced better-trained and equipped Turkish forces.
New waves of Turkish paratroopers were landed periodically throughout the week along with additional artillery and tanks. Turkish air force planes flew support for them, knocking out bridges and hitting police stations. The preliminary aims of the invading troops were to secure the ten-mile Kyrenia-Nicosia road and take the capital. They made quick advances the first day, capturing that corridor. Then Greek resistance sharply stiffened. Fierce fighting raged for Nicosia, with neither side in control of the city. A naval-air battle erupted Sunday on the southwest coast of the island, according to Ankara, when a Greek flotilla tried to land troops near Paphos. The Turkish General Staff claimed the attempt failed after Turkish warplanes repeatedly attacked the Greek forces, damaging destroyers and landing craft.
Caught in the middle of the conflict were at least 6,000 tourists. Under escort of U.N. and British troops, a makeshift convoy of more than 500 private autos, trucks and armored cars evacuated about 4,400 foreign nationals from the beleaguered capital to the British base at Dhekelia.