202. Telegram From the Embassy in Greece to the Department of State1
1181. Paris for Dillon and Perkins. London, Ankara and Nicosia for principal officers only. Device of putting down on paper our understanding of Greek position on Cyprus following talks reported Embtel 11582 had interesting repercussions…. They endeavored to introduce language …and providing that within 8 years NAC would be definitely obligated to set date for plebiscite.
When it became clear from talk with Averoff yesterday that he was having difficulty in obtaining Prime Minister’s approval of our initial draft, Holmes and I suggested joint meeting with both Karamanlis and Averoff which took place today and lasted more than 3 hours. As agreed, I took strong line at outset that Holmes here because of impression gained by Embassy in many meetings with Prime Minister and his Foreign Minister that only small differences existed between positions Greek and British Governments, and that Greek Government was fundamentally prepared to go ahead with self-government now and to postpone application of self-determination principle to indefinite future. If this was not, in fact, Greek position, then Holmes was wasting his time. Latter then stated that in his opinion British would not agree to any proposal which committed them definitely to hold plebiscite.
This approach had good effect, and session ended with Karamanlis dictating to Averoff statement of Greek position for Holmes to give British…. Upshot this procedure was Greek paper text of which being cabled next following message.3 Holmes authorized transmit this to British; he also will convey orally following points:
- 1.
- Regardless outcome plebiscite UK military facilities to be guaranteed in perpetuity by Greece.
- 2.
- In event plebiscite results in enosis Greeks would agree to NATO control militarization island including presence Greek forces.
- 3.
- In event Greek emissary sent to Makarios would have authority exert strong pressure.
- 4.
- Greeks would exert their best efforts obtain Turkish concurrence.
- 5.
- In event enosis Greeks would accord generous economic privileges to Turkey and Britain.
In final go-round with Averoff late last night he was generally optimistic (conversation with Iksel reported Embtel 11784 had given him more hopeful attitude re Turkish position). However, he expressed personal belief that if agreement reached, political crisis would be inevitable. If election forced, he was confident Karamanlis would fight hard and succeed.
Holmes raised question whether anything could be done now by Greek Government to improve climate while negotiations proceeding. For example, if return Radcliffe were made occasion for favorable public utterance by British, could Greeks respond by sending their Ambassador to London? Averoff said he had been seeking opportunity do just that but with UNGA imminent it was very difficult for Greek Government to “break vicious circle”. Public suspicion would be aroused that Greek position weakening. This would lead to internal political complications.
Meetings were discreetly held in private houses and Holmes’ presence in Athens has not been noted.5 There has been no inquiry from press and it has not been necessary to use NATO cover. Holmes flying London today.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 120.1540/10–756. Top Secret; Priority; Limited Distribution. Repeated to London, Paris, Ankara, and Nicosia.↩
- Document 200.↩
- See footnote 2, infra.↩
- Telegram 1178, October 6, reported that during a discussion between Iksel and Averoff, the latter indicated it might be possible to postpone the question of enosis for the future. Iksel noted that this might be a way to resolve the problem. (Department of State, Central Files, 601.8281/10–656)↩
- In telegram 810 from Ankara, October 11, the Embassy informed the Department that it was likely that the Turkish Foreign Office was well aware of Holmes7 mission and of his recent travels and talks. The Embassy expressed its concern that the “recent procedure” had greatly reduced the likelihood of achieving a satisfactory formula regarding Cyprus at this time. (Ibid., 747C.00/10–1156)↩