asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will make a statement on the events which have occurred in Cyprus since the arrival of the Irish troops, and give an outline of the present position obtaining there.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cyprus Situation.
18.
I have placed in the Library copies of all the Secretary-General's reports to the Security Council on the situation in Cyprus. The overall strength of the United Nations Force in Cyprus on 24th April was 5,993 officers and men. This is made up of 1,087 from Canada, 46 from Finland, 613 from Ireland, 698 from Sweden and 3,549 from Great Britain. The ultimate strength of these contingents is expected to be as follows: 1,200 from Canada, 987 from Finland, 650 from Ireland and 1,014 from Sweden. The British contingent is to be reduced according as troops from other contingents become available. Denmark is to send a contingent of 1,000 troops to join the force.
As the Deputy is aware, the Irish contingent has been given charge of the Famagusta area in the eastern part of Cyprus. They became operational on 22nd April, 1964. So far only a few untoward incidents have occurred in which our troops were involved and they suffered no casualties. All the officers and men of the contingent are in good health and spirits.
The mediator, Mr. Sakari S. Tuomioja of Finland, took up duty at the end of March and is having discussions with the Governments of Great Britain, Greece and Turkey as well as with the Government of Cyprus and the representatives of the Turkish Cypriots. While no agreement appears to have been reached as yet on a solution of the problem acceptable to all the parties concerned, the mediator is still working energetically to find one and it is to be hoped that his efforts will meet with success.
In view of the fact that we were told during the debate in the House that the fighting in Cyprus was merely between guerillas, Turkish and Greek, does the Minister not think he should comment on a statement that appeared recently to the effect that the Greek Cypriots were being led in battle by the Cypriot Minister of the Interior?
I do not know whether that was accurate or not. A good deal of the statement was not accurate and I do not wish to comment on something I am not sure about.