CYPRUS

HC Deb 16 July 1974 vol 877 cc243-8

The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. James Callaghan)

With your permission, Mr. Speaker, and that of the House, I will make a further statement about the situation in Cyprus.

The House will be greatly relieved to learn that President Makarios is alive. [HON. MEMBERS: "Hear. hear."] He has requested that he should be allowed to enter the sovereign base areas, and Her Majesty's Government have agreed to this request. It appears that the National Guard is at present in control of parts of the island and that fighting continues among the Greek Cypriot population, although the Turkish population is not at present involved. The situation clearly contains grave risks and it is of great importance that peace be restored as soon as possible.

In Athens our Ambassador has conveyed to the Greek authorities my view that Greece should state unambiguously her intention to observe her international obligations in regard to Cyprus. I am glad to say that in a written statement this morning the Acting Foreign Minister is reported to have said that the policy of the Greek Government is to observe and safeguard the independence and territorial integrity of the Cyprus Republic. He has added that the Greek Government attach major importance to the inter-communal talks between Greek and Turkish Cypriots.

Her Majesty's Ambassador is also informing the Greek Government that, in the view of Her Majesty's Government, it would do much to reduce tension in the area if the Greek officers of the Cypriot National Guard were to be replaced at the earliest possible moment.

I continue to remain in contact with the Turkish and other Governments and with the Secretary General of the United Nations.

As regards the many British holidaymakers at present in Cyprus, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is keeping in close touch with the various travel organisations concerned in Cyprus. The travel organisations have plans for flying the tourists out of Cyprus as soon as the airport at Nicosia is open again. Alternative arrangements will be made if it remains closed.

Sir Alec Douglas-Home

The House is grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for his statement. We share his great relief that the Archbishop escaped the assassin's gun and is safe.

I have two short questions to ask about the Archbishop. Has he asked for political asylum—indeed, does the present situation amount to political asylum since he is now on British soil? Does not the Foreign Secretary agree that probably from every point of view it would be a good thing if the Archbishop were not to stay on British soil for long, although there is an obligation upon us to see that he is safe. The right hon. Gentleman might like to comment on the situation, for, as he said, it is full of risks.

There are perhaps two hopeful signs in the statement. One is that the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots are not apparently fighting each other, since apparently it is an inter-Greek quarrel. The second hopeful sign is the statement by the right hon. Gentleman that he attaches importance to inter-communal talks. One cannot be optimistic about the situation in Cyprus, but nevertheless there are hopeful signs that the situation there may shortly return to something like normality.

Mr. Callaghan

I am obliged to the right hon. Gentleman. It is not clear whether President Makarios has asked for political asylum. Messages are passing very quickly at the moment, but the fact that he has requested permission to enter the sovereign base area and that we are facilitating that request undoubtedly points in the direction of his seeking political asylum. It is right, as the right hon. Gentleman has suggested, that the Archbishop should not stay in the area, but our primary concern at present is with his safety and we shall make appropriate arrangements in conjunction with him.

With regard to the position of the Greek Government, I can only re-emphasise that we attach the utmost importance to that Government's carrying out and making tangible the statements which they have made on their attitude to Cyprus. If they do so, the cause of tension will be very much less than it appears to be at present.

Mr. Russell Johnston

I associate myself with the pleasure expressed on all sides of the House at the escape of President Makarios. Obviously, the situation is confused, but can the Foreign Secretary add anything to his statement and comment on whether the supporters of the Archbishop are in a position to fight back at present? Secondly, what is the present dispersal of forces? Can he reassure relatives and friends of people who are on holiday in Cyprus? So far there is no news of any British citizen having been harmed in the uprising.

Mr. Callaghan

No information has reached me about British holidaymakers but, as the hon. Gentleman said, the position is confused, and communications are not at their best at the moment. As for the future of the Archbishop's followers, our latest reports say that fighting is going on, but I cannot expand on that.

Mr. Wellbeloved

Will the Foreign Secretary take note of the fact that it appears that the leaders of the military coup are officers who owe their prime allegiance to Greece, a country which has seen democracy destroyed by a military dictatorship? Secondly, will he note that the so-called president of the military coup is a man who openly boasts that he took part in the murder of British Service men in the 1960s? Will he also note that the overwhelming majority of Labour Members and the people of this country will expect the United Kingdom Government to give support and aid to the legally elected Government of the Republic of Cyprus?

Mr. Callaghan

I am sure what my hon. Friend said expresses the views of a great many people, and certainly they are not out of harmony with the direction in which my own statements and actions have pointed so far.

Mr. Churchill

Since the maintenance of the independence of the Republic of Cyprus is of great importance to this country, and as there would be grave dangers in any outside intervention, particularly by other NATO Powers, what consultations has the right hon. Gentleman had—or what discussions is he about to have—with other allies in NATO to dissuade the Greek Government or any other Government from direct military intervention in the event of hostilities in the island continuing for a prolonged period?

Mr. Callaghan

The hon. Gentleman may be assured that we are in full communication with our allies in NATO, as well as with the Governments immediately concerned.

Mr. Stonehouse

Do the Government recognise that Archbishop Makarios is the legitimate Head of State? Secondly, what reply has been given to the request from the Turkish Prime Minister for Britain to intervene with Turkey to protect the treaty of guarantee?

Mr. Callaghan

On the first part of the supplementary question, President Makarios was elected, and is now the elected, leader of the people of Cyprus. So far as I know, he has not yet laid down his office. On the second part of my right hon. Friend's remarks, I am afraid I have not been informed of any direct request by the Turkish Prime Minister. My right hon. Friend seems to be better informed than I am, but I repeat that I have not yet seen such a request. We are both in consultation through our ambassadors, and action is being taken in parallel with each other.

Major-General d'Avigdor-Goldsmid

Does the Foreign Secretary agree that the tragic events of the last 48 hours underline the importance of the presence of British forces in the island? I hope that this matter will be taken into consideration in the forthcoming Defence White Paper.

Mr. Callaghan

I think that is a bit of a non sequitur since the forces which at the moment stand between the two communities are the United Nations forces.

Mr. Hooley

Will my right hon. Friend promise to use his best endeavours in the Security Council to ensure that there is no reduction in the effectiveness of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Cyprus during these events?

Mr. Callaghan

Yes, Sir, they have performed, and are performing, a very valuable role. Mr. Ivor Richard is in constant contact with Dr. Waldheim and other permanent members of the Security Council.

Mr. Evelyn King

Have the leaders of the Cypriot-Turkish community as opposed to the Turkish Government issued any statement on this situation?

Mr. Callaghan

I have not seen one.

Mr. Lee

On the point made by my hon. Friend the Member for Erith and Crayford (Mr. Wellbeloved), may we take it from my right hon. Friend's reply that in no circumstances will we recognise this odious man, Nicos Sampson, as President of Cyprus?

Secondly, if, unhappily, conflict should break out between Greece and Turkey, which of our NATO co-signatories shall we support, or shall we impartially supply British troops to both?

Mr. Callaghan

That seems a cross-examination that I would expect in the courts, but I do not think it would be helpful if I were to reply to all of it this afternoon.

Sir George Sinclair

Does the Secretary of State accept the claim of the Greek Government that this attempted coup was entirely local in origin in Cyprus, especially in view of the warnings given within the last fortnight by Archbishop Makarios of an attempted coup and attempt on his life and the visit last Friday of the commander of the Greek-officered National Guard?

Mr. Callaghan

It is clear that the Archbishop was in great apprehension about the action of these officers. That is why he asked, but without success, for their withdrawal from his National Guard. It seems as though he was correct in his fears.

Mr. Dalyell

What is being done about the problem of supplies for Service personnel in the sovereign base?

Mr. Callaghan

I think that my hon. Friend should put that question down to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence.