EVENTS IN CYPRUS
NICOSIA, Cyprus -~ The main subject that has been stirring public opinion and tne press here for the past five months is the proposal by Archbishop Makarios, the president of the republic, to revise certain clauses of the Constitution which in his opinion are negative and inimical to the "smooth functioning of the state," inviting economic chaos, .
In the opinion of Makarios, the revision must be undertaken no matter what the reaction of the "turkish patriots may be,
Before leaving the country because of popular unrest, imperialism sought to insure control by forcing the Constitution and the London= Zurich agreements on the Cyprus people, By conceding administrative freedom, imperialism sought to secure military facilities (roads, air . space and territorial waters).
The government that was set up imposed a heavy tax burden on the people to support the luxurious and highly expensive dual state apparatus.
The agreements that Makarios signed provided dual authority, including separate courts, municipal administration, co-operative societies, etc., for Greeks and Turks, It was widely felt that the heavy taxation required for this elaborate set up would bankrupt the country, Opposition increased steadily, some people even refusing to pay taxes, ,
The solution offered by Makarios was revision of the Constitution. This had the added convenience of distracting attention from the economic ills besetting the island,
The proposed revision, however, would affect certain privileges which had been granted to. the Turkish community under the London-Zurich agreements at the expense of the Greek community.
Under eneouragement from the Turkish government, which has its
reasons for a diversion from difficult economic and political problems at home, chauvinist Turkish leaders appealed for resistance from the Turks in Cyprus,
The Greek chauvinist leaders, seeing an opportunity to strike at the privileges enjoyed by the Turkish community, reacted by inspiring armed conflict. The result was the sanguinary events which drew the attention of the entire world, Neither the Turkish nor Greek communities derived any gains .from the fratricidal battles, By giving vent to hate, they only injured each other,
Both the Greek and Turkish leaders sought to refurbish their . ‘prestige through appealing to the worst sentiments. The leadership of the Communist party of Cyprus, which has a Stalinist tradition, did not help matters, Instead of-seeking to overcome the chauvinism inspired among the masses, they took sides with Makarios, This policy is completely opportunistic, serving the interests of imperialism in the final analysis,
' Seeing that he could be swept out by the Greek chauvinists, Makarios appealed for a cease-fire and invited British imperialism to. intervene in the. situation, .
The position of the Cypriote Trotskyists from the beginning was one of opposition. to the London-Zurich agreements and the Constitution. Both should be abolished as. they are’ in the interests of imperialism ~~ and are a permanent source of friction. between Turks and Greeks,
The Cypriote Trotskyists demanded that the Makarios government _ denounce the agreements and submit to a referendum. A committec should be elected to draw up a new Constitution that accords with the interests of the Cyprus people,
After the bloodshed, the Cyprus government would do better to carry an appeal to the United Nations and seek abolition of the agreements rather than attending the five-member conference in London which will surely favor the re-entry of imperialism and the possible reenactment of the tragedy of the Congo,
DECLINE OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE
The Queen found herself in acute embarrassment shortly after the former sultan of Zanzibar arrived in London, Assuming that he would be put up in the style to which he has been accustomed as a puppet of Her Majesty's governmcnt, His Royal Highness registered his entourage of | 59 at the aristocratic St, James's Court Hotel.
‘The bill for five days was $4,200. The Relations Office gulped and told the sultan they couldn't afford it. Thirty-five went with the sultan to a cheaper hotel, The other 24 ended up in a Salvation. Army Hostel,
~1l2~
THE