Evening star., 1961-10-22
Cyprus q Year Later
Making Progress

Of government Jobs is a double
edged irritant:
Civil Service Rotio
All civil service appointments
are regulated by this ratio. The
Turkish Cypriotes-18 per cent Of
the population-are supposed to
get 80 per cent of the govern
ment jobs. The Greek CyprioteS,
among whom unemployment is
high. complain of discrimination
The Turkish Cypriotes, also I'M
happy, say their share of jobs.
promised them by the constitu-
ton, is being withheld. And so on.
Despite the remarkably friendly
relations that have developed be-
tween the British and President
Makarios "a man they felt
obliged to deport only a few
years ago-there are serious local
problems. The question Of water
supplies and employment Of nom
Cypriotes (Pakistanis and Su-
danese) in the British bases are
particularly bothersome.
A section of the treaty says
that 80 far as practicable" the
British authorities shall employ
Cypriote labor. In informal talks"
CyprioteS are pressing for a cell
ing" on the number Of foreign
workers in the bases.
One important factor has re-
strained all three sides: Their own
Self-interest.
There is no question, and this is
recognized by all. that a revival
of communal discord will hurt
them-the Greek, the Turk and
the British alike.
The British authorities despite
firm treaty guarantees-need Cyp-
riote goodwill, If they are to
make effective use of their "sov-
erign" bases on the island.
Dependence on British
The Greek Cypriotes realize
their almost complete economic
dependence on the British, how
ever, much they may want to get
rid of them.
Even with the stepped-up Brit
iSh expenditures following inde-
pendence. unemployment is a real
problem. 1t is high. among ed
ucated as we'll as the unSkilled.
Some newspapers had to close
down due to lack of advertising.
A number of educated Cypriotes
have left to get jobs in England
loss the young nation can Ill
afford.
Fortunately plans are afoot to
do something about the economic
problems.
A United Nations Economic
Mission went to Cyprus last fall
to prepare a five-year develop
ment program. The eight-man
mission headed by DR.. Willard
L. Thorp, former United States
Assistant Secretary of State for
Economic Affairs recommended
immediate steps" to develop and
conserve water resources and
improve" agricultural productiv-
ity. The mission urged long term
projects to expand electric power"
and to improve "Harbor and dock
ing facilities"
4 Five -Yeor PIon
President Makarios has now
adopted five-year plan, closely
following these recommendations,
only more ambitious. The cost:
S173,516. 900.
The government of Cyprus is
expected to provide half Of the
total amount. mostly for short
range projects-the remaining be-
ing raised by external means"
The equivalent of $23 million is
more or less pledged principally
by Great Britain.
A British company has drawn
up plans for the enlargement of
the port in Famagusta. The
British are building a civil air
terminal at the Nicosia Airfield
and may provide the funds for a
substantial increase of electric
power throughout the island.
Other countries and the United
Nations-are also showing an in
terest. A private German ship
building concern in Hamburg has
offered to build a ship repair
yard at Larcana as a private ven
ture, costing 81 million. Israel is
sending water specialist.
The United Nations Special
Fund is interested in setting up
a fully equipped geological depart
ment, since the government is not
stated to carry out the various
essential tasks of building up
basic knowledge concerning water
resources.
This is the most pressing, i'm
mediate need. Cyprus has 5000
springs but over 10 per cent of
the known surface water is lost
to the sea