COMMONWEALTH AND CYPRUS

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29367, 21 November 1960, Page 9

COMMONWEALTH AND CYPRUS

Decision On Future Relations Soon

•(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON. Nov. 20.

Archbishop Makarios, the President of Cyprus, speaking at a press conference, said that the House of Representatives probably would be called on in about two months to decide the republic's future relations with the Commonwealth, says the Nicosia correspondent of “The Times." After recalling that when the independence agreements were signed it was agreed that Cyprus should continue to be regarded as a member of the Commonwealth pending a decision by the republic membership, the correspondent add's: The Archbishop and other leading members of the Government, it is understood. are in favour of a continuing association with the Commonwealth, but they have consistently said that a final decision must be left to the vote of the House.

It is generally expected that the decision will be in favour of Commonwealth membership, although some opposition might be expressed by the Communist minority group. Only a few Cypriots view favourably the idea of the republic severing its connexion with the Commonwealth and the resultant loss of Imperial preference privileges, which mean so much to the island’s trade.

The Archbishop also indicated that Cyprus would remain a de facto member of G.A.TT. and would almost certainly become an official member, but this would depend on Commonwealth membership.