UK’s modern imperialism example

People in Cyprus have once again staged a demonstration against the presence of British military bases in Cyprus, urging the British government to withdraw its troops from the country.

Over one hundred demonstrators partook in a protest organized by “National Anti Colonial Platform” group at the British base of Akrotiri and shouted against the residence of the UK bases in Cyprus.

Scuffles broke out between British employed police officers and protesters, with officers pushing the protesters and hitting them with batons. Several young demonstrators were arrested by the police for throwing stones at the officers and armed police base and were then transferred to the British Royal Air Force Akrotiri base.

It was also reported that several people were injured during the protest, including 10 protesters, 4 police officers guarding the base and a cameraman.

The Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia, Britain’s administered areas in Cyprus, were created in 1960 when the country achieved independence from Britain.

The UK desired to keep sovereignty, as this guaranteed the use of UK military bases in Cyprus, including RAF Akrotiri, and the barracks of the British Army. The importance of the bases to the UK is that they are located on the strategic area of Cyprus, at the eastern edge of the Mediterranean, close to the Suez Canal and the Middle East.

The analysts believe that the event will definitely damage the relationships between the two countries, as the Cyprus government has repeatedly voiced it oppositions against the presence of the UK troops in the country.

In December Cyprus House Speaker Yiannakis Omirou called on the government to respond to the “provocative statements” made by the UK Defence Minister Philip Hammond over the future of the bases.

Hammond admitted UK’s “enduring commitment” to the bases, claiming the bases “have high priority for the United Kingdom’s long-term national security interests,” and that London would not close its bases in Cyprus.

Omirou considered Hammond’s cynical remarks as an example of “modern imperialist mentality.”

The RAF base is used as staging post for military aircraft and for general training purposes. It also played an important role during Libya war, as its planes used to enforce no-fly zone over the country to oust former Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi and brought in a pro-western government.

Some 2,500 military personnel and 1,500 civilians work at the two British bases, covering 254km² of Cyprus or about 3 per cent of the island’s landmass.

Furthermore, it is reported that the British taxpayer pay over €330 million per year for keeping the bases on the island.