Cypriots demand closure of British bases
In Cyprus, popular discontent is growing over the British military presence on the island. Demonstrators held a rally outside the presidential palace in Nicosia on Saturday calling for UK military bases to be closed. The demand comes in the wake of a drone strike from Lebanon on the Akrotiri air base on 1 March. The UK has had two bases in Akrotiri and Dhekelia since 1960 which are now being used by the US military in the Iran war.
The last straw
Phileleftheros is outraged:
“With presumptuous colonial insolence, the British government decided to participate in the US and Israeli operations against Iran via its military bases without first informing, let alone consulting, the Republic of Cyprus. A decision that put the citizens of Cyprus in immediate danger was taken without any sense of responsibility towards the state that, due to a constitutional anomaly, hosts these facilities. The next logical step is now to officially request the withdrawal of British bases from Cyprus.”
The decision is not the people's to make
The Cyprus Mail explains why it will be difficult to banish the British bases from Cyprus:
“The existence of sovereign bases in an independent country is an anachronism, politically and morally indefensible. While most Cypriots would like these bases removed, they are also aware that this is an extremely difficult undertaking as it cannot happen without the cooperation and, ultimately, consent of the UK government, which is in a very strong position legally. The sovereign bases are part of the Treaty of Establishment and since 2003, by vote of the Cyprus legislature, the status of the bases is enshrined in the primary law of the EU. Everyone is aware of this, but still demands for the withdrawal of the bases, as if this could happen by popular demand.”