1974 anti-American riots in Cyprus explained

1974 anti-American riots in Cyprus
Location:Nicosia, Cyprus
Date:August 19, 1974
Type:Rioting and shootings
Fatalities:2
Injuries:Unknown

The 1974 anti-American riots in Cyprus were violent anti-American rioting that took place in front of the United States embassy in Nicosia, Cyprus on August 19, 1974.[1] The events took place days after the second phase of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus which resulted in Turkey controlling 36.5% of the island. The gunmen murdered the ambassador in the American embassy in the Cyprus.[2]

Hundreds of Greek-Cypriots who were frustrated at the failure of the United States to quell the Turkish forces and its alleged support for Turkey started to protest and riot.[3]

During the riots US Marines from the Marine Security Guard fired teargas and allegedly warning shots at the protestors, the Cypriot National Guard General Staff tried to get a platoon from 35th Raider Squadron to assist, however, the commander, Giorgos Papameletiou refused, stating that it was not the special forces job to protect the embassy rather the military police.[4] [5]

The American ambassador to Cyprus, Rodger Davies, who was seeking shelter inside the embassy, was shot and killed by sharpshooters belonging to EOKA-B, a Greek-Cypriot nationalist paramilitary.[6] from about 100yd away.[7] An embassy employee, Antoinette Varnava, who rushed to his aid, was also killed by a sniper bullet.[8]

In February 1977, the Cypriot government decided to arrest six EOKA-B members and try them for the assassination of ambassador Davies however never being convicted.[9]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Cyprus — August 1974: “It was a blind shot that got the Ambassador” – Association for Diplomatic Studies & Training . 2024-04-06 . adst.org.
  2. News: Carbone . Nick . 2012-09-12 . Rodger P. Davies, Cyprus, 1974 Before Libya: U.S. Ambassadors Who Have Died in the Line of Duty . 2024-04-06 . Time . en-US . 0040-781X.
  3. News: Carbone . Nick . 2012-09-12 . Rodger P. Davies, Cyprus, 1974 Before Libya: U.S. Ambassadors Who Have Died in the Line of Duty . 2024-04-06 . Time . en-US . 0040-781X.
  4. Web site: 19 August 2022 . US ambassador’s murder in Cyprus still unresolved . knews.kathimerini.com.cy.
  5. Web site: Cyprus — August 1974: “It was a blind shot that got the Ambassador” – Association for Diplomatic Studies & Training . 2024-04-06 . adst.org.
  6. Book: Historical Dictionary of Terrorism - Stephen Sloan, Sean K. Anderson - Google Books . 2001-09-11 . 9780810863118 . 2018-07-14. Sloan . Stephen . Anderson . Sean K. .
  7. Web site: Harveston . Kate . Remembering Ambassador Rodger Davies . Intpolicydigest.org . 2012-08-21 . 2018-07-14 . 2018-07-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180713203808/https://intpolicydigest.org/2012/08/21/remembering-ambassador-rodger-davies/ . dead .
  8. Web site: Cyprus - August 1974: "It was a blind shot that got the Ambassador" - Association for Diplomatic Studies and TrainingAssociation for Diplomatic Studies and Training . Adst.org . 1974-08-19 . 2018-07-14.
  9. News: Fitchett . Joseph . Cyprus to Arrest, Try 6 Rightists In '74 Death of U.S. Ambassador . The Washington Post . 1977-02-04 . 2018-07-14.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "1974 anti-American riots in Cyprus".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.