Cyprus is divided into the Republic of Cyprus and Northern Cyprus or the TRNC.  Following the end of British colonial rule in 1960, Greece, Turkey and Britain were appointed to guarantee the safety of their newly independent populations.   However, a Greek terrorist organisation, EOKA, launched an unsuccessful coup attempt in order to unify the island with Greece. The British and eventually the Turkish army legally intervened to prevent further bloodshed.  The result was the division of the island which has brought about peace since 1974.