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1974 anti-American riots in Cyprus

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1974 anti-American riots in Cyprus
LocationNicosia, Cyprus
DateAugust 19, 1974
Attack typeRioting and shootings
Deaths2
InjuredUnknown

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. 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 US ambassador in the American embassy in Cyprus.

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.

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.

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. from about 91 metres (100 yd) away. An embassy employee, Antoinette Varnava, who rushed to his aid, was also killed by a sniper bullet.

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.

References

  1. "Cyprus — August 1974: "It was a blind shot that got the Ambassador" – Association for Diplomatic Studies & Training". adst.org. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
  2. Carbone, Nick (2012-09-12). "Rodger P. Davies, Cyprus, 1974". Time. ISSN 0040-781X. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
  3. Carbone, Nick (2012-09-12). "Rodger P. Davies, Cyprus, 1974". Time. ISSN 0040-781X. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
  4. "US ambassador's murder in Cyprus still unresolved". knews.kathimerini.com.cy. 19 August 2022.
  5. "Cyprus — August 1974: "It was a blind shot that got the Ambassador" – Association for Diplomatic Studies & Training". adst.org. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
  6. Sloan, Stephen; Anderson, Sean K. (2001-09-11). Historical Dictionary of Terrorism - Stephen Sloan, Sean K. Anderson - Google Books. ISBN 9780810863118. Retrieved 2018-07-14.
  7. Harveston, Kate (2012-08-21). "Remembering Ambassador Rodger Davies". Intpolicydigest.org. Archived from the original on 2018-07-13. Retrieved 2018-07-14.
  8. "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. Retrieved 2018-07-14.
  9. Fitchett, Joseph (1977-02-04). "Cyprus to Arrest, Try 6 Rightists In '74 Death of U.S. Ambassador". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2018-07-14.
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