A Fresh Start
THE appointment of Sir Hugh Foot, the Governor of Jamaica, to be the successor to Sir John Harding in his uneasy proconsulship in Cyprus may mark a turning-point in the island's history. Sir John Harding's term of office, per- haps through no fault of his own, can hardly be called a very happy chapter, and the advent of a Governor of liberal views and some knowledge of Cyprus and Cypriots will be welcomed by everyone who wishes an end to violence and a return to normal conditions. As an act of policy this appointment must surely mean that the Gov- ernment has at last made up its mind to seek a real solution in Cyprus. Sir Hugh Foot would hardly have accepted the post if the course he was expected to pursue meant a frustrating ex- ploration of well-trodden blind alleys. Some kind
of assurance must have been given to him about Government intentions. It is, of course, true that the basic difficulties of the situation are still as great as they ever were. Indeed, the installation of the present Syrian regime has made it doubly important for any Turkish Government to keep the control of the island in friendly hands, and the attitude of the Greek Government in support- ing Syrian charges against Turkey will not make it any easier for Ankara to make concessions to Hellenic nationalism. Where progress can be
clip net ulY hi! ontI tee' cat At use, inst
achieved is in lifting more of the emergency r lations in Cyprus and in restoring confide between Britain and the Greek Cypriot coma ity. For this work the new Governor is admit suited, and, though a solution of the internati aspects of the problem will have to await ag ment between Greece and Turkey, some start probably be made with local independence. the very least the new look in Government Ho Nicosia, will strengthen Britain's hand aga Greek complaints to UN.
Previous page
