The sudden and dramatic personal intervention of Archbishop Makarios -- Cyprus' Greek-Cypriot President-- helped quell the violence of thousands of Greek-Cypriot demonstrators in the island's capital, Nicosia, on Monday (20 January.)
The rioters had ignored tear-gas, water cannon and overhead shots in an attempt to storm the United States Information Centre in the capital. The prelate-President's appeal to the crowd for a cessation of violence was successful and the chanting demonstrators followed the Archbishop to the nearby Greek Embassy.

The demonstration occurred during a one-hour token general strike called by militant Greek-Cypriots in protest against Britain's decision to allow Turkish-Cypriot refugees in the British base at Akrotiri to be flown to Turkey. The Greek-Cypriots fear that the refugees in the northern part of the island --- occupied by Turkish Troops since last July's invasion.

Monday's violence came after three days of troubles throughout Cyprus involving attacks on the British Consulate, offices of the British Council and the United States Embassy. Both the British and U.S. Governments have issued formal complaints to the Cypriot Government, and Monday's violence followed these official protests.