Turkish Cypriot leaders, seizing the opportune moment…

Turkish Cypriot leaders, seizing the opportune moment after the crisis has ended, announce the establishment in late December 1967 of a "transitional administration" to govern their community's affairs "until such time as the provisions of the Constitution of 1960 have been fully implemented."

The body's president is Fazil Küçük, vice-president of the republic; the body's vice-president is Rauf Denktas, president of the Turkish Cypriot Communal Chamber.

Nineteen governing articles, called the Basic Principles, are announced, and the provisional administration organizes itself along lines that are similar to a cabinet.

The provisional administration also forms a legislative assembly composed of the Turkish Cypriot members-in-absentia of the republic's House of Representatives and the members of the Turkish Cypriot Communal Chamber.

The provisional administration does not state that the Communal Chamber is being abolished, nor does it seek recognition as a government.

Such actions would be contrary to the provisions of the constitution and the Zurich-London agreements, and the Turkish Cypriots as well as the Turks scrupulously avoid any such abrogation.

The Greek Cypriots immediately conclude that the formation of governing bodies is in preparation for partition.

U Thant is also critical of the new organizations.