Cypriot Maintains U.S. Must Uphold Island Freedom

Republican and Democratic platforms denouncing colonialism obligate America to support Cypriot self-determination in the United Nations this year, Zenon G. Rossides, Cyprus delegate to the U.N.. said last night.

Rossides stated that the General Assembly's dismissal of the Cypriot question last year was due solely to Britain's promise that she would work the matter out privately with Cyprus. After this, however, Britain instituted military rule and acted to "stifle the voice of freedom" in Cyprus.

The Cypriot hailed the exiled Archbishop Makarios as "the most moderate representative" of Cypriot claims. He cited Britain's hypocrisy with regard to the Cypriot base, exclaiming, "You cannot defend freedom by denying freedom to the base you are going to use."

The lecturer claimed that the rights of the Turkish minority on Cyprus, peopled largely by Greeks, would be respected if freedom were granted. He excused the murder of Cypriots not desiring self-determination by citing the bad treatment given those who disagreed in early English struggles for freedom.

Defining prestige as "respect of freedom and willingness to cooperate," the speaker claimed that Britain's "prestige" would be increased by giving Cyprus self-determination.

America's feeling of "kinship" toward Britain should not prevent this country from opposing her view, he stated.