A Spectator's Notebook
LAST TUESDAY'S LETTER in The Times from Lord Salisbury dealing with Cyprus seems to me an extraordin- ary performance. Quite apart from the mandarin language in which it was written it read as a straight in- citement to the Turks to be as un- possible in their approach to the Yielding as island's problems. There was some excuse for the Labour Party's otherwise rather ill-advised pledge Of self-determination for the Cypriots when it came to power; but there is none for permitting Ankara to dictate British policy—more particu- larly since the partition idea is one that should Only have been adopted in the very last resort (since the actual Turkish plan was published it is Clear that it could not have been used, even as a last resort, for what it amounted to was a plea for the expulsion of the Greek Cypriots from half the island). There can no longer be any question that the solution lies in giving Cyprus self-government Under some form of protectorship (designed to Prevent persecution of minorities and to assuage the fears of the Turks that the island will be used as an advance base against them). To judge by Sir Hugh Foot's statements, this solution is now acceptable to the Greek Cypriots even if it is not What they would like. The need now is that the broad principle of self-government should be con- ceded as soon as possible, so that the goodwill Which Sir Hugh has won can bd maintained dur- ing the long and necessarily wearisome weeks negotiation before a settlement can be reached.
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