Evening star., 1955-09-18
Grove Balkan Crisis

Grave Balkan Crisis
There is ample evidence that the
violent aftermath Of the non productive
tripartite London conference on the Cy-
prus question has led to a grave crisis
in Greco Turkish relations, thereby
threatening the entire Western position
in the Balkan Eastern Mediterranean
area.
As Of today, both Greek and Turkish
sources consider the alliance between
those two countries-to which Yugosla-
via also is party-virtually In state
Of suspension and in danger Of complete
rupture. This is the more deplorable
since this alliance, signed in 1858, marked
a reversal Of centuries Of Greek-Turkish
hostility toward each other. There also
is the fact that the union Of the three
countries provided common defense
frontier against aggression by the Soviet
bloc, and its impairment Is threat to
the security Of the Balkan Eastern Medi-
terranean region. Finally, the fact that
Greece and Turkey also are partners in
friendly collaboration could disrupt the
entire eastern wing Of that military
structure. It is for the latter reason
that General Gruenther, Supreme Allied
Commander in Europe, has ordered Ad-
miral Fechteler, Commander in Chief Of
the Allied forces In Southern Europe, to
hasten to the area for consultations
which might help repair the damage.
Beyond the immediate military con-
siderations there are other reasons for
equally deep concern. The mass destruc-
ton Of Greek property in the rioting
which took place in three cities In Turkey,
particularly the dissertation Of Greek
churches and cemeteries, has aroused
Greek public opinion to point where
political crisis in Athens is feared. II
the present pro Western government
should fall there is informed speculation
that its successor would turn to neu-
tralist policy which would leave dam
gerous defensive gap in the Balkans and
create new opportunity for Communist
infiltration. Even in Turkey, the gov
ernment has come under severe criticism,
with demands from the political opposi-
ton that 1t should resign.
It Is late now to assess blame for
this unfortunate turn Of events. The
question of self-determination for Cyprus
Ia British Crown Colony in which 30
per cent of the inhabitants are Of Greek
origin and nearly 20 per cent of Turkish
ancestry-has been fermenting for years.
The Greek governments request at the
London conference was for limited self
rule in Cyprus now, with the right Of
self-determination--a to whether the
island wished to Join Greece-at later
date. Britain was asked to leave It's de-
Tense establishments there. Britain and
Turkey opposed the right of self-deter-
mination for the Cypriots. A bomb ex-
plosion in the Turkish consulate in Salo-
nika was followed by the anti-Greek
violence in Turkey-the extent Of which
was only belatedly revealed to the outside
world.
The Cyprus question already is on
the supplementary agenda Of the United
Nations, due to convene this week. The
Greek delegation will press then to have
1t put on the final agenda.
Meanwhile, for the sake Of all con-
cerned, there is every reason why the
Greeks and the Turks should try to COM
pose their differences. Despite the omi-
nous outlook, there is reason to believe
that both Greece and Turkey would like
to preserve their alliance. The search
now under way In Turkey for the rioters,
and the stated willingness Of the Turkish
government to pay compensation, is an
evidence Of this. And, Of course, 1t is
hardly necessary to say that our own
Government and that Of Britain, which
has responsibility in this matter, should
lend all possible assistance.