Disputes - international:
US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leased to US and only mutual
agreement or US abandonment of the area can terminate the lease
Illicit drugs:
territorial waters and air space serve as transshipment zone for
cocaine and heroin bound for the US and Europe; established the
death penalty for certain drug-related crimes in 1999
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Cyprus
Introduction Cyprus
Background:
Independence from the UK was approved in 1960, with constitutional
guarantees by the Greek Cypriot majority to the Turkish Cypriot
minority. In 1974, a Greek-sponsored attempt to seize the government
was met by military intervention from Turkey, which soon controlled
almost 40% of the island. In 1983, the Turkish-held area declared
itself the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus," but it is
recognized only by Turkey. UN-led direct talks between the two sides
to reach a comprehensive settlement to the division of the island
began in January 2002.
Geography Cyprus
Location:
Middle East, island in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey
Geographic coordinates:
35 00 N, 33 00 E