PM Transcripts

F77/ 168
FOR PRESS 3. AUGUST. .19.77
DEATH OF. PRESIDENT MAKARIOS
I wish to express profound regret at the news of the death of
His Beatitude Archbishop Makarios III, President of the
Republic of Cyprus. In Archbishop Makarios, the world and
the Commonwealth have lost a statesman of great eminence who
had long personified-his people's quest for identity and
independence, and had played a unique role in his country's
national and international affairs.
I was honoured to meet privately with President Makarios during
the recent Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in London
and at that meeting to renew an invitation to him to make a
State Visit to Australia. This visit would have been a fitting
culmination to the development of the longstanding and excellent
relations between Australia and Cyprus, which is the original
homeland of so many Australians.
The Government had greatly looked forward to this visit by
President Makarios later this year, and I am sure all
Australians will share my sadness that it cannot take place.
I have conveyed to the Acting President of the Republic of
Cyprus, Mr. Kyprianou, on behalf of the Government and the
people of* Australia, an expression of deep sympathy with the
Government and the people of Cyprus at the loss of their
President.