required is not this sterile policy of harassment but an
improvement of relations on the spot.
22. You will be aware that the Executive Committee of the CPA
will be meeting in Gibraltar in May. This means that a number
of your colleagues will have the opportunity to see Gibraltar and
meet Gibraltarians for themselves. They will be able to learn
at first hand their attitude towards the idea of union with
Spain, and the current curtailment of civil liberties in Spain.
In the meantime the British Government remain determined to
support the people of Gibraltar in their present difficulties.
23. The problem of Cyprus has been a subject of concern to
the international community for many years. We very much hope
therefore that the present talks between the Greck and Turkish
Cypriots which have been continuing since last June,
will pave
While it
the way to a lasting settlement of the dispute.
remains unresolved it has the potential to be an important
cause of instability in the Eastern Mediterranean. In these
circumstances my Government believes it essential that the
United Nations force should remain in the island.
It is very
reassuring to us to note that a number of the Governments of
those present, even in quite small countries, manage to make
financial contributions towards the cost of this important
United Nations peacekeeping effort.
24. NATO and British interests in the Mediterranean are such
that our long and fruitful association with the island of Malta
which goes back over 150 years and through two World wars, will
surely continue in the future.
25. In Africa the chief present anxieties are in the West,
where the war between the Ibos and the Federal Government causes
- 9