The Future of Cyprus
Sta,--I have no desire to enter into the discussion regarding the future of Cyprus. Lord Winster's letter, however, compels me to ask the hospitality of your columns in order to elucidate certain points. Lord Winster main- tains that the union of Cyprus with Greece would be contrary to the true interests of the island, and he even goes so far as to imagine that the offer of Cyprus would embarrass any Greek Prime Minister while Greece is in its present condition of political, financial and economic chaos."
Having served as Governor of Cyprus, Lord Winster is naturally entitled to his own views whether it is to the interests of the Cypriots to be united with'Greece or not. May I suggest, howeier, that the Cypriots* themselves are also-entitled to their own views on this subject. If the genuineness of the plebiscite conducted by the Church two /ears ago is disputed, surely it would be an easy matter to hold another plebis- cite in conditions which would be acceptable to everybody as ensuring the free expression of popular opinion.
It would serve- no useful purpose to argue the point regarding the "political, financial and economic chaos" in my country, which- is a rather hysterical way of putting it. Greece is undoubtedly going through economic difficulties ; but what country in Europe is not ? Our owil Particular problems are a result of the fact that Greece, alone of all European countries, was obliged to continue defending herself against Communist aggression a whole five years after the end of the war. Other circumstances which are too obvious to need amplification compel Greece to maintain a large army which absorbs over 40 per cent. of State revenue —a percentage higher than that of any country in the world. I confess I should have thought that this evidence of the Greek people's determina- tion and sacrifice in the defence of democratic principles is a matter for praise rather than criticism ; it is certainly the last argument that could be invoked against the union of Cyprus with Greece.—I am, Sir, yours
Member of Parliament for Athens, lately Minister of Finance.
321cum Smuts Street, Athens.
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