§ Mr. Callaghanasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will publish the full text of the correspondence that has recently passed between Archbishop Makarios and Her Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd:The following letter from Archbishop Makarios addressed to the Prime Minister was handed to Her Majesty's Ambassador, Athens, by Mr. Rossides on 28th May:
Sir.
As the spiritual and elected national leader of the Greek people of Cyprus I wish to invite 67W attention to the following: The General Assembly of the United Nations in its Plenary Session of the 26th February, 1957, adopted Resolution No. 1013 in the following terms, namely:
The General Assembly, having considered the question of Cyprus, believing that the solution of this problem requires an atmosphere of peace and freedom of expression, expresses the earnest desire that a peaceful democratic and just solution will be found in accord with the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, and the hope that negotiations will be resumed and continued to this end.
2. Following upon that Resolution, the people of Cyprus reacted by signal contribution towards the establishment of a peaceful atmosphere in the Island showing their willingness to comply with the above Resolution; to this end the resistance movement of its own accord ceased all operations declaring a truce as from 14th March, 1957. To which they have since faithfully and strictly adhered.
3. The British Administration of Cyprus, however, have failed to take any corresponding action in order to create the atmosphere of peace and freedom of expression, as required by the said Resolution. It has on the contrary kept the emergency measures in full force and application: military operations are being conducted on a major scale, arrests and imprisonments without trial or charge continue undiminished, while methods of unspeakable torture are being employed in increased measure.
4. The Resolution of the United Nations in its purport clearly intends commensurate moves from both sides towards the creation of the said atmosphere. It, therefore, becomes incumbent upon the Cyprus Administration to terminate all emergency measures, which, in addition to their oppressive character and the grave suffering involved, impede freedom of expression, and by prohibiting my presence in Cyprus prevent a necessary personal contact with the Cypriot people I represent.
5. It is my desire to do my best in order that effect is given to the aforesaid Resolution of the United Nations. I, therefore, wish to make it clear that in an effort to solve the problem in a spirit of good will and mutual understanding and on the conditions provided by that Resolution, as referred to in paragraph 4 hereof, I am ready and willing to take part on behalf of the people of Cyprus in bilateral talks, on a basis of the application of self-determination in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.
I remain. Sir,
Praying for God's blessing on you,
Makarios.
Archbishop and Ethnarch of Cyprus.
On the 30th May, Her Majesty's Ambassador conveyed the following reply:
On 28th May you handed me a letter from Archbishop Makarios addressed to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom which you informed me would be published on 30th May. 68W This was duly forwarded to its destination. I am instructed to make the following observations in reply:
1. The attitude of H.M. Government to the resolution adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations regarding the Cyprus question was described at the time by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Commander Noble, an extract from whose statement is enclosed.
2. H.M. Government cannot accept the Archbishop's allegations that they have failed to take any action to create an "atmosphere of peace". On the contrary they have given irrefutable proof of their desire to achieve a satisfactory solution of the Cyprus question and to bring about, for this purpose, a better atmosphere for conciliation. They have accepted the constructive proposals for self-government contained in Lord Radcliffe's Report. They have ordered the release of Archbishop Makarios from detention. In Cyprus, emergency regulations have been relaxed or withdrawn in all cases where this could safely be done and it has been made clear that there will be further relaxations as conditions permit. H.M. Government have also stated that they are willing to accept the good offices of an impartial conciliator between the Three member Governments concerned, in the person of the Secretary-General of N.A.T.O.
3. H.M. Government regret that there has been no corresponding contribution by the Archbishop towards an improvement in the atmosphere. Since his release from detention he has made a number of public statements in which he is reported to have rejected the proposals for self-government in Cyprus put forward by H.M. Government on 19th December last, to have refused the right of participation by the Turkish Cypriots in effective discussion of the future of Cyprus, and to have made his own participation in discussions conditional on the grant of permission for his return to Cyprus, without being willing unequivocally to dissociate himself from terrorism in the Island. These statements have certainly not improved the prospects of an agreed settlement.
4. As long as the threat of renewed terrorism remains, the Government of Cyprus would be failing in its duty if it discontinued efforts to seek out and apprehend known malefactors who are still at large and have not chosen to avail themselves of the published offer of safe conduct. Should terrorism in Cyprus be renewed, the Archbishop would, by his refusal to denounce the use of violence for political ends, bear heavy responsibility before world opinion for any subsequent loss of life. In the existing situation it would be incompatible with the responsibilities of the Government of Cyprus, as also with the requirement of an atmosphere of peace and freedom of expression specified in the U.N. resolution, to permit the Archbishop's return to Cyprus.
5. With regard to the last paragraph of the Archbishop's letter, H.M. Government have always made it clear that they are anxious that this problem should be solved 69W "in the spirit of good will and mutual understanding". At the same time they cannot accept his proposal that the future of Cyprus should be decided by bilateral talks between him and themselves. Other and wider interests have a right to be consulted. As they have said before, they will be glad to consider the views of any individuals or communities in Cyprus. including the Archbishop, on the proposals for self-government which were put forward in Lord Radcliffe's Report. As to self-determination, their position was explained in the statement by the Colonial Secretary on 19th December, 1956.
6. Since it is understood that the Archbishop's letter will be published in the Afternoon of 30th May, this communication will be given to the Press at the same time.