Armed forces on high alert after a series of separate violent incidents
Steps are being considered by the security authorities in Cyprus to prevent terrorists from operating in the disguise of priests, it was authoritatively learned tonight. They have suggested to the Greek Church leaders that all priests should carry identity cards.
If this proposal is rejected, it is planned to compile a list of "legitimate" priests in raids such as that which was made on the Kykkos monastery, near Nicosia, on Friday. While a search was being made in the monastery, troops took the names and photographs of all the monks, including the abbot.
Greek churches throughout Cyprus today held special memorial services for Michael Karaolis and Andreas Demetriou, the terrorists who were hanged on Thursday. The services, attended by large congregations, marked the official end of the Greek period of mourning for the two men.
Newspapers appeared today for the first time since the hangings, and a Greek Cypriot general strike is due to end tomorrow, when shops will reopen. Packers at Famagusta began working overtime to load ships which have been held up for the past few days waiting for potato cargoes.
A farewell letter said to have been scribbled in pencil by Karaolis was delivered to his uncle by ordinary post yesterday. Dated the day before his execution, and addressed to his parents, it stated:
"Please don't cry over me as I myself am not crying. I am only sorry I shall be unable to carry out my ambition to support my parents in their old age. Neither time nor space allow me to express all I feel now. My soul is calm and strong. All I ask my friends is that they forgive any wrong I have done as I forgive all who have wronged me."
British troops in Nicosia tonight used a smoke bomb to disperse a hostile crowd of Cypriots, who were jeering at patrols and threatening to stone them.
Meanwhile the terrorist activity has continued on the same level as before. Two British soldiers were injured, one seriously, and a Greek Cypriot standing nearby was also hurt when a bomb was hurled at an Army billet in Famagusta. A Cypriot was later arrested.
At the village of Xylotymbou, near Larnaca, terrorists threw a bomb at three military vehicles, and a bomb was thrown at a serviceman's house. But there were no damage or casualties in these incidents.
Late tonight a sergeant in the Warwickshires died after accidentally shooting himself in the stomach while climbing into his lorry in Nicosia.
The Governor tonight announced that a collective fine of £5,500 has been imposed on two sectors of the town of Paphos, where there have recently been several acts of terrorism, including the murder of Lieutenant L. T. M. Dick, of the Royal Marine Commandos four days ago.