§ 28. Mr. Russell Johnstonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on the progress made in the talks currently taking place between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities.
§ Mr. HattersleyMr. Clerides and Mr. Denktash, representing the two communities, have made considerable progress in their discussion of humanitarian issues. They have recently started discussing political issues also. This is an encouraging development, which Her Majesty's Government fully support.
§ 33. Mr. Rees-Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, having regard to the undertaking and assistance given to the Turks to remove their citizens from Cyprus, what assurances he has obtained from the Turkish Government to co-operate in the return of Greek Cypriots to their homes; what steps will be taken to safeguard Greek Cypriot interests; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HattersleyMy right hon. Friend has represented to the Turkish Government that, although our decision on the Turkish Cypriots was taken on humanitarian grounds and not as part of a bargain, a magnanimous gesture on their part towards the Greek Cypriots would now be appropriate.
§ 35. Mr. Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to exercise their 162W right as a treaty guarantor (Cyprus) to intervene in the current Clerides-Denktash talks with a view to implementing United Nations' resolutions; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HattersleyMr. Clerides and Mr. Denktash are meeting regularly. They have made considerable progress on humanitarian issues, and they have now begun to discuss the political aspects of a settlement. This is helpful. It is for the Cypriots to decide their own future, and we do not think that intervention at this stage would be helpful.