New Plan for Cyprus

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28620, 24 June 1958, Page 12

New Plan for Cyprus

In attempting to end the explosive situation in Cyprus, the British Government is confronted with the danger that, by trying to' please everybody, it will end by pleasing nobody. Had Britain been able to settle the Cypriot problem without constant interference' from the Greek and Turkish Governments, events would certainly not have taken their present disastrous course. Racial passions have been so strenuously incited that what began four years ago as a struggle between nationalism and colonialism has developed as well into a conflict between two assertions of nationalism. In this atmosphere of insensate rivalries, it is almost insuperably difficult to arrive at even a basis for negotiation. Britain’s latest plan for the future government of Cyprus, while embodying some of the recommendations made in 1956 by Lord Radcliffe, contained a number of imaginative and important concessions which might reasonably be regarded as more than an adequate compromise with the claims of, the opposing factions. Though Britain was far from bound to seek Greek and Turkish assistance in composing the Cypriot strife, it proposed active co-operation with the Greek and Turkish Governments in promoting the welfare of the Cypriot communities, with the prospect that these two Governments might ultimately share with Britain sovereignty over the island. To this end. Britain suggested that the Greek and Turkish Governments should each appoint a representative to co-operate with and advise the Governor, sit upon a joint administrative council, and watch the interests of their respective communities in Cyprus. Dual nationality would be offered Greek and Turkish Cypriots; each community would be given separate legislative authority over its own communal affairs; and the joint council, including representatives of both communities, would deal with other matters, with the exception of defence, internal security, and external policy, which would be reserved to the Governor.

The British plan was foredoomed to an unfavourable reception in Athens and Ankara, where it has already been rejected. Before the plan was announced, Turkish speakers had been vociferously accusing Britain of conniving with the Eoka terrorists; and in Athens, Archbishop Makarios, the Greek Cypriot leader, denounced the British for allowing clashes between Greeks and Turks in Cyprus. Violence in Cyprus itself reached a new crescendo, resulting fa the dispatch to the island of 3500 British para«w»P«n. In his Speech from King Paul told Jhe

• Greek Parliament: “ Greece will ! “not cease to claim the right - “of self-determination for , “Cypriots”. Turkey has not , deviated from its demand for - partition of Cyprus. There is ! yet no sign that the Greeks t and Turks are prepared to 5 accept any compromise, even if tljeir intransigence should ’ drag Cyprus down in ruin, t Archbishop Makarios and the ■ Greek Government, in signific- ’ antly similar statements, have refused to countenance the i proposal for a condominium, > and offer no hope for ending • the present impasse. Though ■ Turkish resistance in Cyprus • still appears to be firmly > linked with Ankara,, recent 1 outrages have given substance ■ to the belief that Greek ter--1 rorism is no longer subject f to any form of centralised con- ! troL And until Cyprus is free ! from unbridled terrorism, no ■ progress can be made towards the goal of constitutional re1 form, without which selfdetermination will itself be impossible.

Throughout negotiations on the Cyprus problem, Britain has made it clear that the importance of the island to Western defence must always be borne in mind. The latest plan for the island’s- future, dependent as it is upon Greek and Turkish acquiescence, should have the support of Britain’s other partners in the Western alliance; and they may be able to give Britain powerful aid in enforcing its ultimate acceptance. The alternative will be continued anarchy in Cyprus, from which no relief could be expected if Britain were forced to adopt partition as a last despairing resort. Turkey can ill afford to imperil the security of its southern flank by contributing to indefinite chaos in Cyprus; and it would be wise to back down on its rash demand for partition. By indicating the possibility of Archbishop Makarios’s return to Cyprus, the British Government has gone far in its attempt to conciliate Greek opinion. If its overtures continue to be unsuccessful, it will be left with little choice but to enforce strong government in Cyprus, lest the present disorders lead to the civil war that many already fear.