HC Deb 28 February 1972 vol 832 c49W
Mrs. Lena Jeger

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the present position in Cyprus so far as British interests are concerned.

Mr. Anthony Royle

Tensions in Cyprus have risen recently following reports of the importation of arms by the Cyprus Government. A Note from the Greek Government asking Archbishop Makarios to put the arms into United Nations custody and to form a government of national unity has been published. Her Majesty's Government, as a major contributor to the United Nations peacekeeping force in Cyprus and as a party to the 1960 Treaties, are particularly concerned that peace should be maintained in Cyprus and that the intercommunal dispute should be settled by negotiation. We are therefore seeking, in our contacts with the parties concerned, to help resolve the present tensions so that the intercommunal talks may soon be resumed in a tranquil atmosphere.