August 20, 1954
RECOURSE TO UN: According to reports from New York, Greece’s demarche on the question of Cyprus was officially lodged yesterday with the secretary-general of the United Nations. Greece’s permanent representative to the UN, Mr Christos Xanthopoulos-Palamas handed to Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold Greece’s demarche, signed by the Greek prime minister, Field Marshal Alexandros Papagos. Greece is not asking for the union of Cyprus with Greece, but for Cypriots to be allowed to determine their future in complete freedom under the leadership of the UN. RALLY: At 6.40 p.m. yesterday, before a rally of Athenians unprecedented in size and enthusiasm, Archbishop Spyridon of Athens, in his capacity as president of the Panhellenic Committee for the Union of Cyprus (with Greece) condemned British policy on the issue and proclaimed the Greek people’s decision to fight using all means until Cyprus was Greek. BRITISH REACTION: New York, 20 – Britain’s representative at the UN said it was regrettable that the Greek government was willing to harm its county’s longstanding friendship with his country by attempting to secure British dominion.
