INTEREST OF N.A.T.O.

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28699, 24 September 1958, Page 13

INTEREST OF N.A.T.O.

Spaak Flies To Athens

(Rec. 11 p.m.) PARIS, September 23.

The N.A.T.O. Secretary-Gen-eral, Mr Paul Henri Spaak was flying to Athens today for talks with the Greek Government on the Cyprus issue, a N.A.T.O. spokesman said today in Paris. The move surprised Western quarters in Paris. Usually reliable sources said its aim was probably to sound out the ground to see how Mr Spaak might use his powers to help solve the dispute which bitterly divides three N.A.T.O. partners Britain. Greece, and Turkey. Last June, Britain delayed announcing her new plan for Cyprus for 48 hours at Mr Spaak’s request.

The permanent council of N.A.T.O. meeting in Paris, then urged a supreme effort of conciliation by the three countries concerned.

Greece later rejected the plan as unacceptable. In Athens, it was announced that Mr Spaak’s talks there would have particular reference to Britain’s intention to enforce her seven-year partnership plan for Cyprus.

A Foreign Ministry spokesman said Greece had sent a Note to Mr Spaak and the Allied Governments on September 9 drawing attention to the dangers to order in the island and, generally, to the cohesion of the N.A.T.O alliance which implementation of the plan would present. Mr Spaak is expected to return to Paris tonight.