U.S. assurance to Cypriots

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34129, 15 April 1976, Page 13

U.S. assurance to Cypriots

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter —Copyright) NICOSIA, April 14. The United States has reaffirmed that concern for a just solution to the Cyprus problems represents a fundamental pre-occupation of American foreign policy.

The assurance came in a statement from the United States Embassy in Nicosia after 16 people’ had been injured yesterday while riot policemen were fighting demonstrators outside the embassy who were protesting against American military aid to Turkey. The United States Ambassador to Cyprus (Mr William Crawford) told a deputation of five men who called on him that American concern for a just and equitable solution to the Cyprus problem had in no way been

diminished by the United States-Turkish military aid pact (under which the latter will receive $1000m). Mr Crawford said that President Ford and the Secretary of State (Dr Henry Kissinger) had raised the Cyprus issue in talks last month with the Turkish Foreign Minister (Mr Ihsan Caglayangil), and that both had emphasised the urgent need for progress towards a settlement of the island’s problems. The deputation handed the ambassador two resolutions approved at the protest rally.

One, to President Ford, expressed strong indignation at the military aid agreement, and said that it rewarded Turkey for its 1974 invasion of Cyprus. The other, addressed to the United States Congress, asked the United States Government to contribute effectively to the implementation of United Nations resolutions on Cyprus. Mr Crawford promised the [delegation that l.e would send their protests to Wash- ' ington immediately.