THANT PLAN FOR CYPRUS

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30369, 19 February 1964, Page 17

THANT PLAN FOR CYPRUS

International Force Proposed’

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

NEW YORK, February 1

The United Nations Secretary-General (U Thant) is reported to have drawn up his own plan for an international police force for Cyprus and a formula for ending the inter-communal trouble there. The British United Press reported that the Security Council debate on Cyprus might be postponed again today. A six-minute meeting yesterday was adjourned for further consultations.

Informed sources said the initiative for the adjournment came from Cypriot Foreign Minister (Mr Spyros Kyprianou) with the agreement of Britain, which had joined Cyprus in asking for the session.

A United Nations spokesman denied any knowledge of U Thant’s reported plans, sn American spokesman said he could neither confirm nor deny the report, and British comment was not available.

Later last night, however, a usually reliable source told Reuter that the SecretaryGeneral was circulating among Security Council members and the Cypriot,

Greek and Turkish delegations a “working paper” setting out a number of ideas.

They were said to include a plan for linking an international peace-keeping force to the United Nations, the question of appointing a neutral mediator, the designation of a commander, and the financing of the whole operation.

Diplomats said U Thant wanted it to follow the pattern of small-power contribution employed by the United Nations in the Middle East.

However, they said. Britain, which now has a large contingent trying to maintain a cease-fire in Cyprus, was expected to be represented in the United Nations force. United States participation was considered unlikely. Parties to Pay

An informed source said U Thant had not suggested which countries might provide contingents for the force. On financing, the understanding was that the parties concerned would relieve the United Nations of all costs, it was said. It was believed that Britain warmly welcomed what one diplomat described as U Thant’s “invaluable initiative.” Some diplomats said intensive consultations would continue for some time before any formal plan was laid down.

It was believed that Cyprus had not yet formulated its proposals and that Britain was withholding details of its plans for the time being. The Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr Rauf Denktash. arrived in New York - last night and said he had come to place the case of the Turkish Cypriots before the Security Council because the Cyprus delegate, Mr Zenon Rossides, had been “representing only the Greeks.” Kutchuk's Message

Dr. Fadil Kutchuk, the Cyprus Vice-President and a leader' of the Turkish community, in a telegram, yesterday urged the Security Council to reject representation of Greek Cypriots under Mr Rossides.

The telegram said that under the Cyprus Constitution Turkish Cypriots had to participate in Cypriot reoresentation. Under the Constitution (Dr. Kutchuk’s) assent was required to bind the Cyprus Republic as a whole, he said. Dr. Kutchuk said: “If the council decides to hear the Greek Cypriot representation, then I request Turkish Cypriots should also be given a hearing on the grounds of natural justice. “Cypriot Greeks should be counselled to accept forthwith the international peace force as proposed by Britain and the United States,” he said.