§ 66. Major Legge-Bourkeasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the General Assembly of the United Nations has approved the recommendation of the Political Committee that the Cyprus question should not be considered further; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. TurtonYes. The General Assembly has approved the Committee's recommendation by 50 votes to 0 with 8 abstentions. Her Majesty's Government consider that the Assembly has acted wisely in disposing of the Cyprus item in this way. If there had been a substantive debate on the subject it is likely that bitter words would have been spoken which might seriously have impaired good relations between three Allies. A discussion on Cyprus in the United Nations could thus only have benefited those who seek to disrupt western unity. Her Majesty's Government hope that the Assembley's decision will be accepted and that our relations with Greece, which have been disturbed by this untimely move, may now be allowed to resume their traditional closeness and cordiality.