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The decision by the United States to lift the embargo imposed on Cyprus in 1987, as regards non-lethal equipment, is a recognition of the role of Cyprus in the region, as well as an indication of the importance that both countries attach to strengthening the bilateral teams. relations, especially in the field of defense and security, as officially reported in Nicosia. A decision that enraged Ankara once again.
But this is not the first time that the United States has imposed an arms embargo on Cyprus. Perhaps the most historic decision by the United States Congress to impose an arms embargo on Cyprus and Turkey simultaneously was made after the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in July 1974, when the international media described the invasion of Attila as “barbaric.” It was also a reaction by Democratic senators at the time to Kissinger’s decisions to overthrow the Republic of Cyprus and overthrow its rightful president, Archbishop Makarios. 
Carter’s promises
The US embargo on the sale of all types of weapons in Cyprus lasted for years, but the embargo against Turkey did not. For America’s allies in NATO and the country that caused war and destruction in Cyprus, the embargo lasted only four years and came in 1978, after a justification from then-US President Carter.
Cypriots and Hellenism in general had invested heavily in Carter’s dominance in the American presidential elections. And how could he not have invested since his pre-election posts even provided for the withdrawal of Turkish troops from Cyprus. When Carter was elected President of the United States, Makarios ordered that the bells in Cyprus ring with joy and that there be a half-celebration in the public services. Cypriots believed very much in Carter’s electoral promises. Carter not only failed to keep his promises, but he approved the lifting of the arms embargo on Turkey. And that the prohibition on the supply of any military equipment in the Republic of Cyprus be maintained since 1987. 
The 7 to 10 system
It was then that the Greek-Turkish armaments were still manufactured with system 7 (in Greece) to 10 (in Turkey) and with favorable credit conditions, with the famous FMS. Turkey managed to lift the US embargo, citing a threat from the Warsaw Pact. At that time, the US government (read Congress) ordered a ban on US construction and weapons in Cyprus, except of course British bases, as these bases are considered British sovereign territory.
And this embargo was not respected by the Turks. They sent M48 tanks, M113 personnel carriers and US-built artillery to the occupying army in Cyprus. As much as there were protests, the United States did not take action and the Turkish occupation forces were equipped with American-made weapons.
Cyprus resorted to equipping the National Guard with weapons systems from Eastern countries, such as Russia, with attack helicopters, modern T-80 tanks, multiple launchers, TOR-M1 anti-aircraft missiles, S-300 missiles (which were eventually transferred to Crete). Also armored by France, small arms from the then Yugoslavia, weapons systems from China, personnel carriers from South Africa, patrol boats from Israel and other countries.
Pompeo’s phone call to Anastasiadis
Last Tuesday afternoon, the President of Cyprus, Nikos Anastasiadis, had a telephone conversation with the US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, at the initiative of the US side. Mr. Pompeo informed the President of the Republic of Cyprus about the US decision to lift the embargo on non-lethal equipment. 
Under Secretary of State for Military Affairs Mike Miller said decisions about the sale of non-lethal military systems would be made on a case-by-case basis, as is the case. Mr. Palmer said that the State Department gave the green light to the sale, in relation to the two points of the law related to money laundering and visits by Russian ships to Cypriot ports, because “we decided that it is in the interests of The US to do so, “and expressed the hope that Cyprus can make progress in these areas.
What are lethal and non-lethal weapons?
What are lethal and non-lethal weapons? Americans say the regulations don’t give a formal definition, but everyone in the defense industry knows who is and who isn’t. They certainly say non-lethal F-35 jets would not be included.
The question that arises is whether Cyprus needs to buy American weapons systems. And what kind? Do you have the necessary funds? These are issues of concern to the Cypriot government and the National Guard. The important thing is that at this moment the United States needs Cyprus for its ports and for its military airport and for its energy reserves in the EEZ, but also for its proximity to Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Turkey. But above all, the Americans want Cyprus to be geographically part of the Partnership for Peace.
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