A luncheon party given by the Governor of Cyprus, Sir Hugh Foot, at Nicosia's Ledra Palace Hotel, Aug 15, was the last public event to precede the proclamation, in the Parliament building at midnight, of the island's independence - after 82 years of British rule. The following day Sir Hugh and Lady Foot said their farewells at Government House and sailed from Famagusta.

Messages from the Queen and Prime Minister Macmillan were read by Sir Hugh Foot during the independence ceremonies. In his farewell broadcast the Governor said there were some dismal commentators who foresaw more bloodshed and clashes between Greeks and Turks in the island. He did not believe this - "People who have been at the edge of hell do not want to go back." The forces of moderation and tolerance would prevail.

Archbishop Makarios, the Greek Cypriot leader who is now President of the Republic, spoke of the need for "mutual appreciation and respect of the national ideals, spirit and traditions of the island's Greek and Turkish inhabitants."
Dr. Kutchuk, the Vice-President representing the Turkish community, referred to the island's poor economic condition and declared the survival of the new independence was possible only "through everlasting peace, law and order", which the Turkish Cypriots were determined to keep.