Office of the Historian

161. Message From President Eisenhower to Prime Minister Karamanlis1

Washington, February 20, 1956.

Dear Mr. Prime Minister: I have read your letter of January 25, 1956,2 on the subject of Cyprus with close attention and [Page 341] interest. The emotions of the people of Greece in this question find a ready response among Americans, who have always treasured the ideals of freedom and self-rule.

Your letter was timely, since it enabled me to have your thoughts at an appropriate moment. The Joint Declaration3 issued during Prime Minister Eden’s visit stated our belief in “the basic right of peoples to governments of their own choice.” This pertains to the people of Cyprus as well as to any other.

At the same time, it is our view that the legitimate interests of our allies and of all the groups on the island must be respected. On appropriate occasions we have sought to reconcile the various points of view through quiet diplomacy rather than through public debate.

I believe that the Cyprus question can be solved only when those who are primarily concerned have come to the point where they trust and understand each other sufficiently to cooperate in achieving a just solution. In this vital respect, I congratulate you on the real progress which is being made. We shall continue our active interest in the question.

Please accept, Mr. Prime Minister, my personal regards and good wishes at this important time in the affairs of Greece.4

Sincerely yours,

  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 747C.00/2–2056. Transmitted in telegram 2456 to Athens on February 20 with instructions that the Embassy recommend to the Greek Government that it not release the letter on grounds that the United States could play a more useful role in the Cyprus dispute “without publicity”. Pouched to London, Ankara, Nicosia, Paris for USRO, and USUN.↩
  2. Not printed. (Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, International File)↩
  3. For text, see Department of State Bulletin, February 13, 1956, pp. 231–232.↩
  4. In telegram 2289, February 22, Cannon informed the Department that he had delivered the President’s message to Theotokis and Karamanlis. According to the Ambassador both were “genuinely pleased and expressed deep appreciation”. He added that the Foreign Minister and the Prime Minister had informed him they would acquaint Makarios “in confidence” with the substance of Eisenhower’s letter in the hope that it would be helpful. (Department of State, Central Files, 747C.00/2–2256)↩