Office of the Historian

242. Editorial Note

In telegram 5734 from London, April 18, the Embassy informed the Department that the British Foreign Office had no objection to Ambassador Warren presenting to the Turkish Government the views contained in telegram 7312, supra. The Foreign Office added, however, that instead of telling Turkey that the United States had “discussed” these views with the United Kingdom, that the Turks be told that the United States had “informed” the British about them. (Department of State, Central Files, 747C.00/4–1857)

On April 18, the Embassy at Athens informed the Department that it fully agreed with the line presented in telegram 7312. The Embassy added that a distinction should be made between the “eventual status of Cyprus” and “self-determination”. (Telegram 3502 from Athens, April 18; ibid.)

In telegram 2424 from Ankara, April 20, the Embassy, in its interim reply to telegram 7312 to London, noted that “unless there is some drastic change in political atmosphere, it is no more possible that Turks would sit down at same negotiation table with Makarios than that Pope should sit with devil.” (Ibid., 747C.00/4–2057)

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On April 18, the Office of the United States Permanent Representative to NATO informed the Department that it agreed with the Department’s position as outlined in telegram 7312 to London, repeated as Topol 1960. The Office added, however, that it was important to recognize Turkish concern for the protection of the rights of the Turkish minority, especially during any period of independence. (Polto 2511 from Paris, April 18; ibid., 747C.00/ 4–1857)

In telegram 399 from Nicosia, April 18, the Consulate noted that both the solution and the procedure described in telegram 7312 to London were contrary to what seemed to be some of the basic tenets of the Greeks and the Turks. Although the Consulate noted that renunciation of enosis by the Greek Cypriots was unlikely, it was not impossible that Cypriot acceptance could not be obtained, “provided, of course, leads from Athens and Ankara did not prevent” it. (Ibid.)