Makarios Doubtful On Larger Force

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

Makarios Doubtful On Larger Force

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

NICOSIA, February 18.

President Makarios said in Nicosia today: “I do not think a larger peace-keeping force in Cyprus is necessary.”

He said that if the Greek Cypriot resolution at the United Nations Security Council—demanding guarantees against aggression—were adopted, the need for a peace-keeping force would be eliminated.

Asked to comment on the role of British troops in Cyprus. Archbishop Makarios said: “I have no complaints to make about their behaviour.” He refused to say any more.

Of moves at the United Nations, he said: “It is too early to say how optimistic I am about getting the Greek Cypriot resolution adopted.” He was not certain who would present it at the Security Council. ‘‘But I am in touch with certain countries, although I cannot comment at this stage,” he said. Archbishop Makarios said that if the Greek Cypriot resolution was not adopted and a peace-keeping force arrived on the island, he would insist its terms of reference should state it was in Cyprus to actively defend Cyprus against aggression and maintain its territorial integrity. Archbishop Makarios denied Vice-President Kutchuk’s claim that the Greek Cypriot Government was breaking the Constitution by approaching the Security Council without the unanimous decision of the two communities. “Veto Ineffective'’

He admitted the Constitution demanded unanimity in foreign affairs, but added: “This is not just a simple foreign affairs question. Recourse to the Security Council cannot be stopped. Kutchuk’s veto is ineffective in this case.”

Archbishop Makarios said the main question • now was

under which Britain. Greece and Turkey have the right to intervene, in Cypriot affairs.

He rejected partition as a means of achieving a political settlement but he said Turkish rights in religion, education, language and culture would be guaranteed. “But never again can there be the question of a minority element exercising veto rights over the majority,” he said.