The Press WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1957. Cyprus and N.A.T.O.

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28463, 18 December 1957, Page 14

The Press WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1957. Cyprus and N.A.T.O.

The United Nations General Assembly is certainly right in withholding its support from the Greek proposal seeking eventual self-determination for Cyprus; it would have endorsed a policy that two of the three Powers affected—Britain and Turkey—know to be unworkable. The only result of the debate has been to encourage the new outbreak of violence, which is likely to destroy the more conciliatory atmosphere, laboriously established, in which further negotiations might have been fruitful. The appointment of the new Governor, Sir Hugh Foot, provided the setting in which policy changes could take place, though it did not imply any policy change by Britain. But Eoka’s renewed campaign of threats, demonstrations, and terrorism has compelled Sir Hugh Foot to adopt the policies his predecessor, Sir John Harding, found necessary before the truce with Eoka nine months ago; and another weary round of terror, repression, and political sterility seems almost inevitable. Except for the release of Archbishop Makarios, nothing has changed. The Eoka leaders, and Greece, had hoped that Britain’s strategic reappraisal, which made sovereignty over Cyprus no longer essential, would cause a change in British policy, which might be hastened by pressure in the United Nations. But although Britain may no longer need Cyprus as a base; it still has a duty to protect the lives and property of all Cypriots. It will not lightly lay this duty aside. Violence and murder have frustrated hopes of negotiation in a calm atmosphere.

Nor can the terrorists place much hope in a change of Government in Britain, notwithstanding the apparent division between the British Labour Party and the Government on Cyprus policy. Even if Labour should become the Government within the next two years, there is little likelihood of the policy

adopted by the party at its Brighton conference being

implemented. This called for the , return of Archbishop

Makarios and self-determination for Cyprus after an, agreed interim period. This policy was

endorsed by the party’s national executive with misgiving; the renewed violence may cause the party to retract it. In any case, as the “ Daily Telegraph ” says, “ statements made in Opposition “ are easily forgotten if and “when the Opposition party “ takes power ”.

The best hope for negotiation now is within N.A.T.O. Because of Greek-Turkish enmity over Cyprus, the dispute imperils the alliance in a vital area; and for some months the SecretaryGeneral, Mr Spaak, has been quietly seeking its resolution. According to the “New York “Times”, new ideas for solving the problem have been produced along the following lines: Cyprus would become an independent State within the Commonwealth with Britain retaining bases available to N-A.T.O. for the protection of Turkey, Greece, and the whole Middle East. The rights of the Turkish minority, including the right to proportional representation in the Cyprus parliament, would be guaranteed under international supervision and the island’s economic interests would be met by a customs union with Greece, Turkey, and, initially, Britain. After an agreed period, the Cypriot parliament would have the right to petition for a plebiscite on the island’s status, subject to approval by a twothirds majority in the United Nations General Assembly or by a unanimous N.A.T.O. Council These ideas would safeguard the interests of N-AT.O., though Turkey might not be entirely satisfied with the provisions to safeguard the Cypriot Turks. But they will be the basis of new negotiations at the Paris “ summit ” conference and a settlement would give impetus and meaning to N-A.T.O.’s political role. When Sir John Harding left Cyprus, he bluntly told the politicians that the ball was in their court; but all ‘ they have played are double faults. Now it is N.A.T.O.’s turn to serve.