Reference..
1-KK 3/548/9/
....
31
Mr Harrison
(Parliamentary Commissioner and Committees Unit)
DEFENCE AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS SUB-COMMITTEE
1. I see from the letter from the Clerk to the Sub-Committee that if all other plans fall through
'the Sub-Committee could re-visit Cyprus from Tehran taking the opportunity to reconsider the functions of the two Sovereign Bases there'.
2.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the Committee has not been to Cyprus for 3 or 4 years. The Ministry of Defence do not think that they will oppose a visit to the SBAs. However, from the FCO point of view, I am very doubtful about such a visit. As you may know, we have opposed the setting up of a Select Committee to undertake a fact-finding all-party mission to Cyprus (an idea which has been actively pursued by Mrs Lena Jeger, Mr Norman Atkinson, Miss Jo Richardson and
Mr Hugh Rossi, who are known for their pro-Makarios sentiments and who are opposed to HMG's policy on Cyprus). It would be difficult to mount any Parliamentary visit to Cyprus without causing serious offence to one or both of the communities and without adding to the already considerable parliamentary pressure in this country.
3. Any such visit would be likely to lead to increased pressure on HMG by the Cypriots to play a more active part in the search for a Cyprus settlement. It would be likely also to lead to increased pressure on our position in the SBA's.
•
For the above reasons, I think it unlikely that FCO Ministers would approve of a DEASC visit to Cyprus.
MCS Weston
22 May 1975
CC:
Southern European Department
Mr Cormack (Defence D)
Mr Clark (MED)
Mr Thomson (SWPD)
Mr Seaward (SAD)
Mr Timms (HK&IOD) Mr Eyers (PUSD)
RESTRICTED
I am sorry
ung ureal bo
supune
a
about I.K. now - not that we have
anything like as groped Mn. O'Y EFFE
It's like that kids'
game called "pass the parcel.
"
DK
2218
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