provided pretexts or rationalizations and could be ignored, if convenient. Realpolitik was what most mattered in crunch situations. 25. The situation in Cyprus provided a very good example of what happened in international relations. The United Kingdom, seeking a military base after its withdrawal from India, had encouraged the intervention of Turkey which since the Korean war had become a reliable ally of the West, whereas Greece was considered ideologically split and unreliable. The people of Cyprus had been denied self-determination and provided with an unworkable Constitution. Inter-communal violence in the period 1963 to 1967 had resulted in tragic suffering and resulting vendetta. During that period some 800 Turkish Cypriots and 450 Greek Cypriots had disappeared. 26. Talks had begun in 1967 at the instance of the international community and had continued for six and a half years. By then the original goal of Enosis, or union with Greece, was no longer desired by the Greek Cypriot leaders, but the Greek military dictatorship of the time, encouraged by the United States, thought that it could attain Enosis. Turkey was to be given a base as a consolation prize. 27. Five times between 1963 and 1967 Turkey had threatened intervention. It had finally gone into Cyprus on the pretext of protecting the Turkish Cypriots -not one of whom had been attacked at that stage -and seized 37 per cent of the island, driving out 200,000 people, just as Israel had driven out the Palestinians. Turkey had never revealed the fate of 1,600 missing persons who had been seen in their hands. Shameful crimes against humanity had been committed on both sides. Today Turkey continued to violate the rights of Greek Cypriots, who were not allowed to return to their homes. Turkey claimed half of the Cypriot territorial sea and exclusive 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the political situation in Cyprus, including the intervention of Turkey, the displacement of people, and the violation of human rights. It seems to be more focused on international relations, politics, and human rights than on economic or social issues.

**Category**
International relations, Humanitarian aid and relief