114. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Greece1
Washington, August 9, 1964, 10:23
a.m.
224. For Ambassador from Ball. Please approach Papandreou urgently and make following points:
- 1.
- In spite of what GOC may have told him, they officially advised us last night that they were calling on the Soviet Union for military intervention; they confirmed this advice to the British Government. It is utterly essential that Papandreou concert with Grivas to insure that no Soviet, Egyptian or other armed forces be introduced into the island.
- 2.
- The situation in Cyprus is on the verge of holocaust. Makarios has threatened a general massacre if the Turkish attacks do not stop. We are urgently trying to get the Turk planes to stand down and at the same time are pointing out to GOC that they will be regarded as murderers if they loose an attack on Turk Cypriot population generally.
- 3.
- Under these circumstances Papandreou must show his leadership by stopping the fighting on the island and getting Makarios under control. We will do all possible to stop the further Turkish offensive but Papandreou must get Grivas and his men in hand.
- 4.
- Above all Papandreou and Inonu must now promptly settle this matter along the lines of the Acheson proposals. There is no longer time for horse-trading or equivocation or passionate oratory. This is a time for calm heads, incisive action and rational leadership.
- 5.
- Tell Papandreou that all of us, including President Johnson, have greatly admired his restraint so far and the message that he sent to Makarios last night.2 We must move on from there.
Rusk