CLAIMS OF CYPRIOTS

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27907, 2 March 1956, Page 11

CLAIMS OF CYPRIOTS

“More Difficult Times Ahead” (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 11 p.m.) NICOSIA. March 1. The British Colonial Secretary, Mr A. T. Lennox-Boyd, will leave Cyprus today after a four-day visit, leaving Cypriot Greek observers pessimistic about the island’s chances of peace. Both the Cypriots and the British expect sterner and more difficult times ahead for the island colony. Negotiations seem ir. a deadlock.

Mr Lennox-Boyd conferred for more than two hours las. night with Archbishop Makarios, the leader of the Union with Greece Movement.

Mr Francis Noel-Baker, p Greekspeaking Labour member of Parliament, who has been acting as unofficial mediator. w:.s also present. Cypriot Greek sources said the two sides failed t bridge their differences. Before he met the Archbishon, Mr Lennox-Boyd had long talks with the Governor, Field-Marshal Sir John Harding. They are believed to have discussed plans for Britain’s next steps if agreement with the enosis movement cannot be reached. Mr Lennox-Boyd will fly to Malta before returning to Britain to make a statement on Cyprus in the House of Commons. New Violence ■riven as he met the Archbishop, anti-British terrorism flared up again. FiVj persons were injured in bomb attacks and a Cypriot Greek was shot dead in what was believed to be a political killing. Britain is prepared to grant Cypriots a constitution for self-government, but there are still these three points of disagreement; (E An amnesty for political prisoners and terrorists. (2) A Greek Cypriot majority in a Cyprus legislature, and (3) Control over interna' security. Political quarters in Cyprus say that Britain feels it would be unfair to British public opinion to grant a complete amnesty at this stage, when agreement on a constitution has not been reached.