DEVILA
CYPRUS
ANNEX A to ACDS(Pol)74/225 Dated 8 August 1974
1. United Kingdom forces are stationed in Cyprus in support of
CENTO and national tasks including the defence of the island
against external aggression, in conjunction with our co-gaurantors,
and their presence there is of considerable benefit to NATO,
although for political reasons overt assignment to NATO is not
possible. UK forces are located in the two Sovereign Base Areas
(SBAS) and some of the 17 Retained Sites.
The extensive
training areas are used by the garrison and a large number of
visiting forces from other
theatres 7. Many Servicemen and
their families are accommodated outside the SBAS in the Republic.
Disregarding short term reinforcements necessitated by the
recent crisis the UK force levels in Cyprus are set out in the
ched table together with an indication of their principal
tasks and an estimate, at 1974 prices, of their costs, i.e.
the amount per annum which would be saved by complete withdrawal
and subsequent disbandment. The UK contribution to the UN
Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), which has fluctuated in recent years
is not included.
A
1
SECRET