Cyprus at a Glance_EN

interference. The Constitution itself emphasised differences between Greek and Turkish Cypriots thereby encouraging divisive rather than integrative tendencies between the two communities. Greek Cypriots were determined to strengthen the unity of the state but the Turkish Cypriot leadership, at the strong urging of Turkey, sought ethnic segregation and geographic separation. This led to brief intercommunal clashes during 1963 to 1967 and air attacks and threats to invade by Turkey. Turkish Cypriots ceased to participate in the government, the legislature and civil service in 1964. UN sponsored intercommunal talks to reach a settlement were held during 1968-1974. Intercommunal tensions subsided and violence virtually disappeared during this period. The UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) (currently less than 900 military persons) was established in 1964, following the outbreak of intercommunal clashes in December 1963 and threats by Turkey to invade. Its chief task now is to supervise the buffer zone and maintain the 1974 UN ceasefire, given that more than 40.000 troops from Turkey are still occupying the northern part of the island. 17