Office of the Historian

141. Telegram From the Mission in Geneva to the Department of State1

Geneva, August 22, 1964, 6 p.m.

461. From Acheson. Now that, despite heroic efforts by Labouisse and Hare, both Greece and Turkey have rejected the only remotely possible proposal, I recommend that we liquidate Geneva and try new policy outlined in following telegram.2 I would say in both capitals that last Acheson proposal was final effort to reach agreement and no modification will improve its acceptability. It has now been rejected by both Greece and Turkey and deemed unenforceable on Greek-Cypriots. USG can make no further effort. It therefore considers Geneva talks concluded and will direct Acheson return to Washington. USG considers this turn of events most grave for all. It will continue to make every effort to prevent Cyprus from falling into Soviet orbit, but unfortunately it is now clear that this cannot be done by agreement between its two allies most concerned. USG will have to keep foremost in mind what is practical and what is in the interest of the entire Western world. USG would deeply regret any development which might lead either ally to believe that its interests had not been sufficiently safeguarded but it must be guided by the interest and purposes of the Alliance as a whole. It will continue the closest consultation with its allies.

I have already given the Department some thoughts on concrete actions we might now take (my tels 401, 408 and 439).3 I am revising these in immediately following telegram in the light of the final developments.

Tubby
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 CYP. Secret; Flash; Exdis-TAG. Received at 1:23 p.m. and repeated to Ankara, Athens, London, and USUN. Passed to the White House, DOD, and CIA.↩
  2. In telegram 462 from Geneva, August 22, Acheson recommended a policy of supporting Greece in an effort to neutralize Soviet influence over Makarios. (Ibid.)↩
  3. Telegram 408 is Document 129. Regarding telegram 401, see footnote 2 thereto. Telegram 439, August 20, is not printed. (Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 CYP)↩