Full Cyprus Accord Expected Soon

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31542, 2 December 1967, Page 13

Full Cyprus Accord Expected Soon

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

NEW YORK, December 1.

The United Nations Secretary-General, U Thant, is expected to announce today the terms of a settlement of the Cyprus crisis which had brought Greece and Turkey to the brink of war.

U Thant’s personal envoy, Dr Jose RolzBennett, reported back last night on talks he had in Nicosia, Athens and Ankara with Cypriot, Greek and Turkish leaders, but there was no announcement of a final accord.

Informed sources said President Makarios of Cyprus had entered some reservations which still required clarification, but that it was hoped a full . settlement would be reached during the day. The agreement is believed to call for withdrawal of Greek troops from Cyprus over the level of 950 men permitted by the London and Zurich accords, which gave the island independence. Whether this withdrawal would be immediate or phased was uncertain.

Turkey, which poised forces for an invasion of the island

at the height of the crisis, has insisted that she has strictly observed the limit of 650 Turkish troops imposed by the independence agreements, and alleged that Greece increased the strength of her forces in Cyprus to as many as 12,000 men. The form in which the tripartite settlement would be made remained in doubt today. United Nations officials declined information. According to one version,

U Thant will make an official appeal to the Greek and Turkish Governments to observe the limitations placed on their troop strengths in the island, and Athens and Ankara then would accede.

It is expected that the United Nations will have to increase its own peace-keep-ing force in Cyprus. If so, this would be a matter for decision by the Security Council. The force’s mandate expires on December 26.