Intention To Invade Denied

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30479, 29 June 1964, Page 13

Intention To Invade Denied

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) NICOSIA, June 28.

Greek Cypriots are making plans to attack Turkish Cypriot positions on the northwest coast of Cyprus, reviving the possibility of a Turkish invasion of the island, diplomats said today.

In London, however, the Turkish Prime Minister (Mr Ismet Inonu) denied that Turkey was planning any armed intervention in Cyprus at this stage. Under provisions of the treaty granting the island independence, Turkey has the right to intervene to protect the Turkish

minority on Cyprus. Asked about the possibility of an invasion, Mr Inonu said: “We are not thinking of anything like that, but we have commitments within the framework of agreements and demands which we would like to honour.” Diplomats and United Nations officials on Cyprus said the United Nations may be helpless to stop any Turkish invasion of Cyprus. They said President Johnson’s assurances to Mr Inonu this week of the validity of the Cyprus treaties confirmed Turkey’s right to intervene on

the island. This may tie United Nations hands in the event of an invasion, they said. Reported Plan Diplomats said the Greek Cypriots’ reported plan of attack was aimed at stopping arms shipments which the

Greeks charge are reaching Cyprus from nearby ports on the Turkish mainland. The Greeks say the arms are arriving at the north-west Cyprus port of Mansoura. Greek Cypriot capture of the port would cripple the Turkish community’s war potential, they said. In London, diplomats said that British leaders will urge Mr Inonu to meet Greek officials soon in an attempt to settle the Cyprus question. British officials hold out little hope of an early agreement, but they said some mutual demonstration of Greek-Turk-ish goodwill could lower the tension on the island.