By early 1974, Cyprus stood on the edge of collapse. The island's fragile constitutional order—built on power-sharing between Greek and Turkish Cypriots—had been eroding for a decade. Armed groups, political polarization, and distrust between communities had replaced the cooperative spirit of 1960. As tensions grew, so did the involvement of external actors: Greece, Turkey, and the United Kingdom, each seeking to protect their interests as Guarantor Powers. In this committee, delegates will revisit the political breakdown in Cyprus not as a domestic failure, but as a regional diplomatic crisis in the making.
The committee will unfold in three chronological and thematic phases:
1. Escalation and Breakdown (Early 1974)
Delegates will analyze the deepening political crisis, the fragmentation of legitimate authority, and the increasing pressure from hardline actors within both communities. Focus will also include the weakening of UN mediation efforts and the limited influence of bilateral diplomacy.
2. Guarantor Maneuvers and Diplomatic Pressure (Mid-1974)
This phase explores how Greece, Turkey, and the United Kingdom interpreted the crisis and positioned themselves. Delegates will assess the buildup of diplomatic and military pressure, the failure of preventive mechanisms, and the strategic ambiguity surrounding the guarantor system.
3. The Search for a Political Settlement (Just Before the Coup)
In the final phase, delegates will evaluate competing proposals to preserve Cypriot sovereignty, prevent civil conflict, and maintain regional balance—just as the threat of a coup began to rise.