‘Greek Cypriots Died In Turkish Ambush'

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28766, 11 December 1958, Page 10

‘Greek Cypriots Died In Turkish Ambush'

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright/

NICOSIA, December 9. An official inquiry into an incident in Cyprus last June, in which eight Greek Cypriots were killed, has exonerated security forces from the allegation that they had contributed to the deaths. The incident was near the Turkish village of Geunyeli. The private inquiry was conducted by the Chief Justice (Sir Paget Bourke) at the request of the Governor (Sir Hugh Foot) and the findings were published today. They were in the form of a White Paper, accompanied by a statement by the Governor. Sir Hugh Foot said the inquiry had concluded that the suggestion’ made was “utterly unfounded,’’ and he quoted the Chief Justice’s findings that there was “no justification whatsoever” for the submission that there was “reckless indifference" to the fate of the prisoners. Sir Hugh Foot added he was very glad the inquiry had wholly disproved the horrible allegations made against the security forces. The Geunyeli incident followed communal disturbances outside the village. • The first official account—later said to be wrong by Sir Hugh Foot—was that Turks shot at Greeks who were firing crops. A later statement said that the Greeks were killed in a clash after troops put 35 of them in a truck, dropped them a mije and a half from the village, and ordered them to make their own way home. . Thirteen Turks were later charged with murder, but all were. acquitted for lack of -evidence. \ . “Only Weariness” The findings as quoted by Sir Hugh Foot today said it was a fact that all concerned acted in the genuine belief that once the Greek Cypriots were on their way from Geunyeli—which was itself under observation —they ran no risk, and the worst they would suffer was weariness. There was no intention to make them run the gauntlet, or deliberately expose them to risk or danger in making their way back. , . . , Sir Hugh Foot said he appointed the commission mainly because the “terrible suggestion” was made, and repeated, that members of the security forces had intentionally contributed to the Greeks’ deaths. He knew the allegation must be untrue, but it was so serious he considered it should be immediately and impartially investigated. The inquiry had supported his confidence. The inquiry findings revealed what happened near Geunyeli. A party of about 35 Greeks was arrested by security forces as intending attackers on Turks. The party was disarmed and set down near Geunyeli and ordered to walk home —a distance of about 10 to 13 miles. British security officers involved in this order had considered that once the Greeks were clear of Turkish Geunyeli there would be no other source of trouble en route.

Sir Paget Bourke said: ‘The existence of the Turkish hamlet

of Kanll on the route seems to have been overlooked." j About five minutes after the last Greek disappeared over a slope, Army watchers saw heavy smoke and flames rising from beyond the crest. The first impression was that the Greeks had set crops on fire. The findings said: “It is a fact that this party of 35 unarmed Greeks walked into an ambush laid by Turks who had concealed themselves and went into attack when two Turkish motor-cyclists started shooting. “The attack was of a most savage nature and the injuries inflicted indicate an extraordinary blood lust,” Sir Paget Bourke found.