Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-07-05
Mokorios Views Cyprus Future:
Sees Grivos' Role More Restricted

beth. And he joked about en-
countering police who had guards
ed him during his exile in the
Seychelles Islands.
II have no bitterness at all
against the British" Archbishop
Makarios said. "They have been
very good, very efficient, about
handing over the administration"
He described complaints in the
Greek press about British stalling
as foolish"
Archbishop Makarios, who is
serving now as provisional Presi-
dent, said Cyprus will hold its
first national elections in Novem-
Der or December of this year. He
indicated he does not wish to
see wide-open political campaign
ing in this first election, and con-
siderable control is expected to
be exercised over boundaries Of
electoral districts. Greeks will
elect 70 per cent of the seats,
and the Turkish community the
remaining 30 per cent.
Economic Outlook
In his review of affairs in
Cyprus, the archbishop felt the
chief future problem will be an
economic one.
Apart from the aid we get,
we want to encourage more pri-
vate investment" he said. "That
is one reason why we should stay
in the sterling area. We need the
sterling support for our currency,
so that there will be confidence
in our economy. This is not
something in which politics
should be involved"
Any bid for Commonwealth
membership would not be dis
cussed until after independence,
but he said economic factors
would be major.
1T is, of course, a more political
question:" he commented. But if
the British continue to be CO.
operative on such questions as
their bases here, I would be in
favor of joining the Common
wealth. We could have many
things such as trade preferences"
The archbishop said he also
wanted Cyprus to apply for United
Nations membership Immediately
after independence. He may en-
counter difficulties with the Turk
iSh minority on this point, since
they, unlike the Greeks, would also
like to see Cyprus in the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Other problems he foreSaw in
Guided relations between Cyprus
and her Middle Eastern neighbors.
Il, myself, lean in my SYM
pathies to the Arab countries"
Archbishop Makarios said frankly.
Il have been in the United Arab
Republic three times, and regard
NaSSer as a personal friend. We
will, of course, establish relations
with the UAR firSt-but then, they
do not want us to have relations
with Israel.
I'VE need to be friendly with
both groups. I will have to per-
Suade our Arab friends to let us
be friendly with Israel, too"
Internal Natter
On internal matters, Archbishop
MakarioS felt Cyprus could be its
own worst enemy-if the present
Greek-Turkish animosity contin-
ued.>
1--WE must live together under
terms of the Zurich agreement.
1t will take good will on both
sides to make it work. But this
settlement must work-there is no
other way" he said firmly. MY
only intention is to see Cyprus
established on a firm foundation"
he added.
Is the cause Of enosis-union
with Greece-dead?
Throughout the conversation,
Archbishop Makarios had spoken
with elaboration and care, but
without hesitation. But now he
paused, smiled enigmatically, and
set aside his cigarette.
I'VE have made our conces-
sionS," he said gently. 1--WE must
live with them now"