March 21, 1957
TRANSACTIONS ON CYPRUS: London – A group of members of Parliament, representing all parties, tonight asked the British government to accept a truce proposed by the National Cypriot Fighters’ Organization (EOKA) and begin negotiations with Cypriot leaders, including Archbishop Makarios. This group, led by the former leader of the Liberal Party, Clement Davies, met in the House of Commons. In a statement released later, the committee expressed its deep regret and its condemnation of the British government’s negative stance regarding a political settlement of the Cyprus issue. Referring to the proposal by NATO and approved in principle yesterday by the British government, the committee emphasized that this proposal has already failed due to Greece’s rejection of it. «In order to avert any further bloodshed and loss of life, both of Britons and Cypriots,» said the statement, «and to make it possible to begin negotiations with the Cypriot people on the future of their island, we suggest that the government accept EOKA’s proposal for a truce.»
