Peace Force Growing

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30390, 14 March 1964, Page 13

Peace Force Growing

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter —Copyright) NEW YORK, March 13. Creation of a United Nations peace force for Cyprus was approaching completion today, but actual dispatch of troops to the troubled island still seemed likely to be delayed.

Canada last night officially became the first country, apart from Britain, which already has troops in Cyprus, to tell the Secretary-General (U Thant) that it would participate in the force, which was authorised by the Security Council nine days ago.

But Mr Paul Martin, the Canadian Foreign Minister, on a flying visit to New York, told a press conference one other country would have to agree to join the force before Canada would fly its contingent of about 1000 men to Cyprus. In addition, the consent of Parliament wa s needed. Then there would be the “minimum of delay,” Mr Martin said.

U Thant himself reported to the council last night that he was confident the force of about 7000—of which Britain had agreed to supply half—would be set up “in the very near future.”

The other countries he has asked for troops—Austria. Brazil. Finland. Ireland and Sweden—have yet to give definite replies. Even if the answers of these nations were

received today, it appeared that the first troops to reach Cyprus would still be held up for several days observers said. The question of a mediator to seek a solution to the dispute between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities also ran into difficulties because of the official notification by Turkey she would not accept Mr Jose Rolz-Bennett, the Deputy Chief of Cabinet to the United Nations Secre-tary-General.