Letters to the Editor
Cyprus—The Other Side R. Windsor Clive A Saver's Budget James K. Norrish New Zealand's History Sir Clifton Webb The Corpse and the Haversack Admiral Sir William James, A. C. B. Neate Lord Bessborough Capt. Sir Malcolm Bullock, Bt.
The John Gordon Society John Gordon CYPRUS—THE OTHER SIDE cannot understand the defeatist approach advocated in 'While Jordan Rolled' and the suggestion to sacrifice Turkish inter- ests over the Cyprus problem in 'Sleeveless Errand.' Turkey is the cornerstone of the well- conceived Baghdad Pact, and potentially a most useful ally. There is a genuine desire by the Turks to play their part by the side of the Western Powers; arising to some extent from a real fear of Russia. By pulling out from Cyprus, and other bases in the Middle East, we would, to say the least, dreadfully weaken her confidence in the West, if not thoroughly antagonise her. As a result, she would be widely exposed to Russian pressure and infil- tration. Another and perhaps more disastrous result might arise from jeopardising our vital oil interests. Who can say what might not happen to this source of vast commercial wealth if we turned our backs on Iran, Iraq, Jordan and the Sultanates and Sheikdoms of the Persian Gulf?
What corresponding benefits would we derive if such a policy resulted from a re- appraisal of our friends and potential enemies? We stand to gain extremely little from Israel, and we owe her nothing at all. We cannot hope to arm her in the way the Russians can arm the Arab States with their much greater resources of .manpower. In the event of our withdrawal, Nasser and his allies would be far more likely to attack Israel at the instigation of the Russians, who would soon fill the vacuum left by us. if we stand firm where we are now, and make it abundantly clear that we will defend our property, and our interests, as and how it becomes necessary, therein we surely have the best chance of being under- stood and respected. We will not always he treated fairly but this fear need not affect our resolve. Furthermore, it must be the object of Our Middle East policy to increase the responsi- bility of the United Nations. By really effec- tive action it could control the Israeli frontier to such an extent that the danger of war would he eliminated. The only withdrawals that we make from now on should be as a direct result of United Nations decisions.—Yours faithfully,
5 Edwardes Square, W8 R. WINDSOR CLIVE
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