Cyprus: An Extension of Quiet

• Share

Nicosia looked as tranquil as the Mediterranean that laps the island's shores. In one suburb, children skipped rope while their elders played tennis near by. It took a sharp eye to spot the sandbags piled in upper-story windows. Behind some sat flinty-eyed Greek Cypriots with automatic weapons. Behind others were grim-faced Turkish Cypriots with bolt-action rifles. On a roof behind still another row of sandbags stood a Danish noncom attached to the United Nations peacekeeping force, stationed in Cyprus for the past two years. "Sure, it's dull today," he said. "It's dull every day. But it might not be so dull if the U.N. were not here."

The U.N. Security Council clearly agreed. Last week it voted to extend its peace-keeping mission another three months-to June 26-at an added cost of more than $5,000,000. So far, the U.S. has borne the biggest share of the financial load, putting up $18 million of the $44,825,000 cost of the force. To cut costs, U.N. commanders have reduced the force from 7,000 to 5,000 men. Nevertheless, the operation is still almost $3,000,000 in the red.

The three-month extension would hardly solve the Cyprus problem. But it would probably keep the uneasy peace that now exists. The Turks realize that they are outgunned and outmanned 3 to 1. Yet Greek Cypriots show no burning desire to take the offensive, since they are effectively in control without violence. The fierce fire fights of 1965 have given way to only sporadic bombings. "We have peace but no progress," says U.S. Ambassador Taylor Belcher. "Nobody feels pressure to try for a solution."