| |
This does not have a technical meaning in international law and diplomacy. But it generally indicates a legal undertaking by a relatively strong state or states to protect – by force unless otherwise specified – the independence and territorial integrity of another and usually weaker state, or some other important aspect of its condition.
By a 1960 Treaty of Guarantee between Cyprus, Britain, Greece, and Turkey, the last three guaranteed the independence, territorial integrity, and security of the first, and the same three states also guaranteed Cyprus\'s renunciation of union with Greece (enosis) and of partition (taksim) between Turkey and Greece. The guarantee also covered the basic articles of the Cypriot constitution, which attempted to balance the interests of the Greek Cypriot majority and the Turkish Cypriot minority. Given the keen interest of Greece and Turkey in the internal affairs of Cyprus, they were highly unsuitable as guarantors; and Britain was unlikely to take armed action against either of them. Indeed, there was no obligation on the guarantors to take armed action under the guarantee, only a right to do so, either jointly or severally. As a guarantee, therefore, the arrangement was extremely dubious; and in practice it has proved little better than worthless. Generally in international relations (sense 2), guarantees are more an indication of a contemporary political disposition than a reliable indication of future behaviour. See also neutralization. |
|
