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BURDENED WITH
CYPRUS: THE BRITISH CONNECTION. By John Reddaway. Published by Weidenfeld &
Nicholson in 1986
this hard-to-find book is written by author and colonial administrator
John Reddaway. While himself having been criticized by some for his
actions in his latter role, Reddaway shows in this work that though he
is not beyond conceding grave mistakes on the part of British
administrators and politicians, he has also the capacity, won from
personal knowledge and bitter experience, to give as good as he gets
when analyzing how to apportion blame for the woes of this “Enchanted
Island”. This book has been introduced in the following manner:
"Since the
British connection with Cyprus began in 1878, Britain has played three
successive roles in the Island – as protector and administrator (under
Ottoman suzerainty) from 1878 to 1914, as colonial ruler from 1914 to
1960, and as guarantor of the independence and of the constitution of
the
Republic
of
Cyprus
which was established in 1960.
British
policies towards
Cyprus
have been a matter of continuing debate throughout the whole period that
the connection has lasted. Some aspects of the British record deserve
criticism, but there are others which merit respect and approval.
Perhaps the principal fault, at the beginning and at the end of British
rule, lay in undertaking responsibilities towards Cyprus and its
inhabitants that proved more burdensome than the political leaders in
London
had bargained for.
In this book the
author attempts to put the British record into perspective. Burdened
With Cyprus presents an explanation, not a justification, of British
policy and actions. The issues discussed include the character of
British rule in the Island, the economic and social development of the
Island during the British period; British attempts to introduce
constitutional government; the intrusion of political violence and the
British reaction to it; the issues of independence and
self-determination; the allegation that Britain sought to procure the
partition of Cyprus; the Macmillan Plan and the Zurich/London
settlement; the disintegration of that settlement; Britain’s failure
to intervene in 1964 and again in 1974; and Britain’s position on the
conflicting Greek and Turkish claims concerning the constitutional
status of the Island since the constitutional breakdown of the 1960
constitution.
This book is
essential reading for all those who wish to understand the realities
rather than the myths, behind British policy towards Cyprus over nearly
a century."
This book is NEW
and in excellent condition. 237 page large 8vo., 16.5 cm. x 24 cm.
Price: CyP 24.00
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