Malta Accepts New British Plan

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31318, 14 March 1967, Page 17

Malta Accepts New British Plan

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

LONDON, March 13.

The Prime Minister of Malta, Dr. George Borg Olivier, is going home to a hero’s welcome today after settling— at least for the present—the row that nearly ousted all Britain’s 4300 troops from the island.

His provisional acceptance last night of Britain’s latest terms for the phased withdrawal of two-thirds of her forces on Malta was immediately welcomed by the British Government. Several newspapers today called it a climbdown by the Maltese, who had earlier scorned the British offer at the end of fortnight-long talks. The terms involve rephasing Britain’s original plan for defence cuts so that they Stretch into a fifth year, higher redundancy payments for Maltese civilians, an extra £3,000,000 economic aid, and appointment of a joint mission to help ease hardships caused by the move. Dr. Oliver has said Malta, without withdrawing its objections, will give the scheme time to prove itself and de-

mand a review if things start going badly. The Maltese will lift restrictions they imposed on

the British forces at the start lof the row, and drop Parliamentary action to make their presence on the island illegal.