260. Editorial Note
Between September 10 and 18, representatives of the United States, led by Walworth Barbour, and representatives of the United Kingdom, led by Sir Frederick Hoyer Millar, held secret and informal discussions in London on the Cyprus problem. British officials expressed their willingness to withdraw from Cyprus provided that Britain maintain sovereignty over certain military facilities on the island. Various proposals were also examined for both an interim and a long-term solution to the problem of the status of Cyprus. Both a NATO trusteeship and guaranteed independence were given serious consideration. The British representatives believed, however, that the best solution to the problem might be a condominium in which the United Kingdom, Greece, and Turkey would share responsibility for that part of the island not retained for British military installations. According to the tentative plan, Cyprus would be administered by a governor selected by the three governments concerned. Self-government would be based on a constitution. The United States representatives, on instructions from the Department of State, agreed that the British proposal had merit and was worth pursuing. British and American representatives agreed that as a next step the British might suggest their proposal to NATO Secretary General Spaak. (The agreed minute of the discussions was transmitted in telegram 1969 from London, September 19; Department of State, Central Files, 747C.00/9–1957) A brief summary of the conversations is also in a memorandum from Jones to Rountree, September 16; ibid, 747C.00/9–1657)