Letter from J Antoniou to the Colonial Secretary, to Schaeffer, on collaboration between the missions at EnkomiJ Antoniou

COPY.

COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE, CYPRUS.

No. 1457/32

5th March, 1948

Sir,

I am directed to inform you that the suggestion that this Government might participate in the excavations in the Bronze Age settlement at Enkomi, which you have mentioned, has been considered and the memorandum dated 21st November, 1947, which you and the Director of Antiquities have drawn up has been found to be an acceptable basis for such participation.

2. I am to state that this Government welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with your mission in this enterprise and approves the participation of the Department of Antiquities on the basis set out which should have effect from the 21st November, 1947, the date of the memorandum. Regarding paragraphs 8 and 9 of the memorandum, however, while the Cyprus Government is prepared to endorse the principle of joint responsibility for publication, it is obliged to limit its ultimate financial commitment in this respect to £500. A larger initial expenditure on publications would, however, be considered, provided that, after deducting the value of any copies of the publications allocated to this Government and any proceeds of sales or other connected revenue which would accrue to it, the net expenditure did not exceed the figure mentioned.

3. No reference is made in the memorandum to the expropriation of the land at Enkomi affected by the excavations. As you are aware, part of the land has already been acquired, the cost being borne in equal shares by Government and your mission. I am to say that Government agrees in principle to proceed with the acquisition of the whole area on the same basis.

I have etc.

(sgd.) J.Antoniou

for Colonial Secretary.

Dr. C.F.A. Schaeffer, M.A., D.Litt., Director of the French Archaeological Mission, Famagusta.