116. Telegram From the Embassy in Cyprus to the Department of State1
240. Under Secretary from Belcher. Since I have seen Makarios only 15 minutes ago to deliver message as reported Embtel 239 and contained in Deptel 1242 am now awaiting results this latest approach. Am loathe to hit him again with same issue complicated by new conditions apparently being imposed by Inonu. Furthermore, I feel I must consult with my British colleague who has been instrumental in obtaining two postponements of dire action previously planned by Greek Cypriots. British High Commissioner’s approach and his messages to Ankara and to London spoke only of cease-fire in Kokkina for purpose of subsequent negotiations. Am seeing Bishop at once for this purpose and hopefully by the time I return we will have some indication GOC response to message from Security Council President. We still have a few hours in which to make ultimate pitch.
My own belief is that injection of conditions on top Security Council President’s appeal might throw whole [garble] assuming there is chance of favorable reply from Makarios.3
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 23–8 CYP. Confidential; Flash. Received at 5:07 p.m. Also sent to Ankara and Athens and repeated to Geneva for Acheson, London, Paris for USRO, USUN, USDOCOSouth, JCS, OSD, DOD, JCS, and the White House.↩
- Telegram 239 from Nicosia, August 9, reported that the Ambassador had delivered a message from President Johnson. (Ibid.) The message, sent to Papandreou, Inonu, and Makarios, urged restraint on all parties and cooperation with the United Nations in its peacekeeping efforts. The text was transmitted in telegram 124 to Nicosia, August 9. (Ibid.)↩
- In telegram 121 to Nicosia, the Department reported that the Turkish Representative to the United Nations had indicated he would recommend that his government accept the Security Council appeal for a cease-fire. (Ibid.)↩