US denies Cyprus NATO bases report

The US Embassy in Nicosia issued a strong rejection of claims reported in the Greek Cypriot press, citing an article from the Turkish newspaper Yeni Safak, which said that the U.S. intends to set up a NATO base in the north and is in favour of the permanent division of the island.

“There is simply no truth to this report. The U.S. Embassy remains firmly committed to the reunification of Cyprus through a bi-zonal, bicommunal federation, established by a negotiated agreement supported by majorities on both sides. This has been our position for more than thirty years and there has been no change,” said the statement.

It is common knowledge that the US makes use of existing bases in the north and in the British Sovereign Base areas in the south.