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

265. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom¹

Washington, October 7, 1957—8:38 p.m.

2592. Embtel 2180.² Embassy may inform HMG along following lines that after considering our talks with them in London and after further consideration of condominium proposal, we feel it would be unwise seek persuade Spaak to advocate a particular solution before exploratory talks on his part.

Firstly, we are not sufficiently convinced of the merits of any of them to do so. We believe that condominium plan as outlined to us presents serious problems of which the greatest would be question of where ultimate authority lies in event dispute between co-domini or crisis on Island. Even assuming that Governor had unusual ability, he would need either strong support from co-domini or general acceptance by both Greek and Turkish Cypriots of his administration. Former would be unlikely since it should be assumed Greece and Turkey, as co-domini, likely be in disagreement; latter would take time and great skill. Our London talks have shown other suggested solutions also present difficulties.

We do not wish to rule out these solutions and are mindful HMG’s comments on them but believe that there is a greater likelihood of progress if we concentrate more attention on devising an acceptable procedure for the transmission of views between the parties.

This leads to our second reason for not wishing urge a particular solution on Spaak. We continue believe Spaak can play useful mediatory role as NATO SYG. However, Spaak has already attempted persuade parties of merits of a particular solution (guaranteed independence) without success. Also, most solutions thus far proposed are considered as having originated with one of parties and thus less likely be acceptable to others. Acceptable solution more likely be blend of present proposals. We believe Spaak might more usefully adopt general method of collecting views of U.K., Greece, and Turkey in separate talks without championing any particular solution and seek gradually find basis for common understanding on an interim arrangement. This would take time but we believe time is necessary element any progress this question. We would like to speak to Spaak about the London talks if no serious objection is perceived as soon as possible and also give our views along the foregoing lines. We would, of course, fully inform HMG of this discussion.

We think this would be more in line with HMG’s idea of negotiations without agenda and hence less apt to frighten off Greeks or Turks. However, we are frankly not sanguine about the possible success of a London meeting of the three powers which could not avoid publicity and are thus more inclined favor secret separate talks in Paris, where all three countries well represented.

We intend explore this promptly with Spaak because we would hope that after careful preparation such talks could be started soon.

In general we believe Cyprus question less tense than last year but that nevertheless on international plane agreement on a final solution unlikely now. We feel it more realistic expect that months of serious effort will be needed to reach international understanding on some interim arrangement. For this reason we urge HMG consider taking series small but concrete steps on Cyprus itself to give Cypriots greater participation their own affairs. Preferably there should be no advance publicity or discussions which usually bring automatic critical response. This would help relieve local tensions on Island while secret international talks in progress. These might include some elements Radcliffe proposals but without so designating them.

FYI Embassy may also wish reexamine Jernegan letter to Foster of March 15, 1955³ with view to raising points therein with HMG if Embassy considers useful. Extra copies being furnished all addressees. End FYI.

Dulles

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 747C.00/10–157. Secret; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Wood and signed by Dulles. Repeated Paris Topol, Athens, Ankara, and Nicosia and pouched to USUN.
2. In telegram 2180, October 1, the Embassy informed the Department that the British had decided to postpone their approach to Spaak regarding the condominium plan until the United States had further time to study the proposal. The Embassy expressed the hope that the Department could facilitate study of the plan and requested any ideas that the Department might have about “interim information”, which might be conveyed to Spaak. (Ibid.)
3. Not found in Department of State files.