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I had the reconnaissances on Saturday 24 August; on Sunday we packed and dispatched the crates of ramsage etc. On Monday we took leave of the Vali and that same afternoon we took the plane for Ankara. Above the mountains we had a storm which made the journey disagreeable and a little rapid. But everything went well and we landed around 16 hours at Ankara.
I immediately contacted the Service des Ant. et des Musées and I was able to settle everything before the departure of the Bankam for 5 days. I deposited at the Ottoman Bank in Ankara the settlement of the excavation credits c. 160.000 frs in the course of the day.
I also discussed with the Director General of Museums and Antiquities the question not foreseen in the present letter concerning antiquities. We agreed that I should write a letter to the Ministry of Education nationale to request the allocation to the excavations of a certain number of duplicates. The change of government is opportune and perhaps it would be possible to put an end to a situation prejudicial to all missions foreign. For this it is necessary to obtain a change in the law currently in force, but I know that the Director General himself would be in favour of such a change.
On the eve of our departure, I saw again the directors of the Turkish services and the president of the Turkish Society and his wife (adopted daughter of Ata Turk) with the ambassador at a farewell dinner. The departure is fixed for Saturday 31 August.
Nicosia, 8 Sept. 1946.
The mission landed, on Saturday 31 August, at 14 hours at the aerodrome of Nicosia, where the Director of Antiquities Mr Megaw and the curator of the Museum Dhiakos awaited us. The island's newspapers announced our arrival and were pleased that it was a French mission that inaugurated the new period of archaeological research on the island after the war. Weather excellent, temperature still rather hot and heavy after the pleasant crossing met at Ankara. I have just finished the purchases of equipment and of engaging an experienced foreman, Georges, the same who had assisted at the Museum of Nicosia. We found lodging in Famagusta, where everything is full because of the officials and military who are dealing with the camps for Jews brought from Palestine. We leave tomorrow. 4 September at Famagusta.
Stamp: Claude F.-A. SCHAEFFER / Directeur de Recherches / Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
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