CONFERENCE ON CYPRUS

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28822, 17 February 1959, Page 13

CONFERENCE ON CYPRUS

Makarios Arrives In London (2V.2. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 1130 p.m.) LONDON, February 16. The Foreign Ministers of Greece, Turkey and Britain are holding final talks in London today before the round table talks on the future of Cyprus begintomorrow. , Tl ? e ex i led Greek c yP ri «»t leader, Archbishop Makarios, who was given a wildly-enthusiastic reception when he arrived in London yesterday, is todav conferring with 24 advisers, including the Mayors of several towns in Cyprus, who also flew to London yesterday. Observers believe that the British Government mil soon lift the ban on the return of Archbishop Makanos to Cyprus. Some say he will be the first u .°1 , e Cyprus republic proposed by Greek and Turkish leaders last week. . uJ? t at an airport press conference, the Archbishop said he hoped a solution was on the way to bemg achieved. He said he came to the conference with an open mind and the utmost good will and friendliness towards all.

He told reporters: “I have no doubt that the British Government desires a settlement which will ensure the freedom and welP e °P le of Cyprus and which will terminate a state of affairs on the island ■ which has been unpleasant to all." He said: “The goodwill and understanding that prevailed between Greece and Turkey at Zurich has been a great step forward.”

Because of the excited scenes at the airport, the Archbishop had to leave by a back exit. His car was escorted by police to the Dorchester Hotel, where he ’s staying, and a detective was statmned in the room next to his throughout the night. The ‘.‘Daily Sketch” said amazing security precautions are being taken to protect Archbishop Makarios in London. British Intelligence has been tipped off that an anarchist group is out to “get him.”

The newspaper said he would be guarded night and day by armed police. He would travel in a bullet-proof car, and move from car to buildings in the “middle of a Rugby scrum of police.”

■ The League of Empire Loyalists staged a protest outside’ the hotel last night against the arrival of the Archbishop. They shouted: “Makarios was responsible . for all the murders in Cyprus. He should not be allowed in Britain. He is a blot oh the "English landscape.” Future of Eoka

Reuters said the main question posed by a London agreement would be the future of the Eoka movement which has carried on the guerrilla war against the British since 1954.

In spite of intensive military action against them, many Eoka members still remain underground with arms available m hidden depots, and their leader. Colonel George Grivas (Dighenis) has defied all British attempts to. capture him. An amnesty, and the end of the emergency, could well mean that Dighenis and his men would be free to come out into the open.