Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Soviet Union, Eastern Mediterranean, Volume XXIV

206. Telegram From the Embassy in the United Kingdom to the Department of State¹

London, November 13, 1956—5 p.m.

2664. Paris for Dillon and Perkins. Principal officers only. Barbour and Holmes met with Kirkpatrick today for discussion of Cyprus matter.

Holmes described his conversation with Turks and Greeks, particularly former, reporting that although their basic position concerning their contention that any form of self-government was a “corridor to Enosis” had not really changed, he found a less intransigent attitude than they had previously displayed. He told Kirkpatrick of the arrangement for a secret meeting between Etem Menderes and Averoff in Paris on the latter’s return from the UNGA. Kirkpatrick said that about a week ago the Turkish Ambassador had informed him of this arrangement and had made a formal request on behalf of his government that the British not publish the Radcliffe report until after the Greeco-Turkish meeting takes place. Kirkpatrick had referred this request to Ministers but as yet it had not been considered. When asked concerning HMG’s intentions regarding publication Radcliffe report, Kirkpatrick replied that it had not yet been considered by Cabinet and no decision has as yet been made. Upon further questioning, he said that it had not been decided whether or not the Greeks and Turks would be consulted on the constitution prior to publication. Barbour and Holmes both urged that this be done. Holmes asked Kirkpatrick whether or not he was right in assuming that in fact HMG had not put its mind to the Cyprus problem. Kirkpatrick replied that this was so, but added that he felt that they mean do so without further delay.

Kirkpatrick said that he felt that HMG would not be inclined toward partition as a solution, or in any event would much prefer self-government. He then asked Holmes whether or not in his opinion the Turks could be brought to approve of self-government with the question of self-determination left for the very indefinite future. Holmes reply was that although it would be difficult to obtain Turkish concurrence, he felt that it was very much worth trying and that if other circumstances were right, strong representations from the United States and United Kingdom might bring the Turks around. Kirkpatrick said that he suspected that the Turks hoped to make some progress in the secret meeting with the Greeks and then proceed to partition as a solution. He agreed with Holmes that it would be useful to get Greeks and Turks talking, and that even consideration of partition as a possible solution might tend to move them both from their present positions.

Kirkpatrick said that as far as he knew HMG had not decided on its tactics in the GA and presumed that this would be decided by Lloyd on the spot. Although he personally favored adjournment of both the Greek and British items to the end of the agenda, he was not sure that the British delegation would act to bring this about. He pointed out that the memorandum which was tabled by the British delegation yesterday was one of explanation required by United Nations procedure, and that it should not be construed as British intention to force an early substantive debate on Cyprus.

We believe that it is clear that the negative attitude expressed by Nutting and reported in London’s 2280 to Department² is explained by the fact that the British decision to intervene in Egypt had at that time been made. Although Nutting may not have been privy to the decision, the Cabinet had clearly decided not to touch the Cyprus question at that time.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Holmes feels that there is nothing more for him to do until (1) the British have decided what they are to do regarding the Radcliffe report, (2) until the Averoff–Menderes meeting takes place, and (3) until the Cyprus position in the United Nations is more clear. He therefore feels that he should return to Washington to report to Department and unless instructed to the contrary will leave London Wednesday evening.³

Aldrich

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 747C.00/11–1356. Top Secret; Priority; Limit Distribution. Repeated to Paris, Ankara, Athens, and Nicosia.
2. Document 204.
3. November 14.