THE COMMUNICATION POLICIES OF THE ARMED FORCES AND THE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS IN THE 21st CENTURY

Nikolas Stylianou (RIEAS Research Associate & Security Analyst & Doctoral Candidate in Security Studies) Copyright: www.rieas.gr The National Guard, the Armed Forces of the Republic of Cyprus have diachronically constituted the cornerstone in regards to the long struggle for national and physical survival of Cypriot Hellenism. National Guard is the spearhead in the defence of the Republic and must function as a strong, reliable and effective deterrent force against any third country or any non-state actor(s) that attempt to undermine the interests of the Republic of Cyprus. Over time, well-trained as well as strategically and operationally sufficient armed forces function as the strongest multiplier effect of the State and their most important role is to support the implementation of the strategic planning of governments as well as the implementation of the state’s external policies. This article will attempt to shed light on the serious defects in regards to the public display and communication policies of the Armed Forces and the Intelligence Service of the Republic of Cyprus and finally proceed with particular recommendations that will enable these Agencies to keep up with the developments and trends of the 21st century. The website of the General Staff of National Guard It is unacceptable for a Member State of the European Union, member of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and EU Battlegroups, to run a website that does not keep up with the trends of the 21st century. The website of the Armed Forces of the Republic needs an upgrade, and the following could be used as recommendations for its modernization: - Detailed participation of Cyprus in peace-building and tactical operations abroad in the context of international missions, - Posting of the daily press indexing, covering issues around the Armed Forces, regional issues within the field of security and issues of general and particular military, strategic and security concern, - Publication of military and defence diplomacy issues, fundamental definitions of military science and information on the activities of our Defence Attachés in the Republic’s diplomatic representations in international organizations. I strongly argue that military diplomacy should be more widely supported due to its significance in the promoting of the Cyprus problem in the international scene, - Daily detailed record of violations of the air and sea space of the Republic of Cyprus by the Turkish armed forces, - Promotion of the contribution of the Armed Forces of the Republic in society. These remarks are simply indicative of what can be done to enhance public and international awareness in regards to the significant role of the armed forces of the Republic of Cyprus. Additionally special editions on the role of the National Guard and reports or articles related to military and strategic issues with a specific geographical focus on Eastern Mediterranean, the Middle East and North Africa. The fact that there is no think tank - research organization institutionally linked with the Ministry of Defence and the National Guard, imposes significant constraints on the production of studies and the promotion research of topics of particular interest to the Armed Forces of the Republic. The non-existent communication policy of the Central Intelligence Service The Central Intelligence Service (K.Y.P) is the most crucial agency of the state machine and the cornerstone in regards to the collection, evaluation and utilization of intelligence related to the security of the Republic of Cyprus. It is responsible for collecting information (political, military, economic, social, etc.) linked with the hard core of national security. The Intelligence Service reports directly to the President of the Republic, and under normal circumstances its role in shaping the defence and foreign policy is extremely significant. In the year 2011, the Intelligence Service of the Republic of Cyprus does not have a website; perhaps one of the few Intelligence Agencies around the globe that does not possess its own website. Limited information on the role of the CIS is published in the Cyprus’ Police website. The aim of this article is to highlight the delicate and crucial role of the Central Intelligence Service in relation to the security of the Republic of Cyprus. The following can be used as proposals for the development of an effective communication policy on behalf of the Intelligence Service of the Republic of Cyprus. - The development of a website following the trends of Western intelligence agencies, with specific sections for the purposes of the Service, data for Cyprus as well as the Cyprus problem, - Daily posts regarding regional and international political developments of paramount importance, - Publication of contact methods in order to achieve effective communication with the society. The role of the society and the collaboration of the latter with the Intelligence Service is very important to the carrying out of intelligence collection, evaluation and utilization. The undersigned comprehends the delicate and crucial role of the Intelligence Service of the Republic in the overall security of the state. This role becomes even more important with the illegal and continuous military occupation of the 37 per cent of the island’s territory by the Attila forces. However, this does not justify the intense secrecy and the veil of mystery maintained around the Service. Contemporary developments and trends followed by Intelligence Communities in the West necessitate the adoption of an effective communication policy on behalf of the Central Intelligence Service of the Republic of Cyprus. Leading strategic and military analysts and intelligence experts have repeatedly highlighted the importance of the "opening" of Intelligence Services (sociologization of Intelligence Services) to the Civil Society, in order establish and maintain communication, with multiple benefits for the security of the state.