Office of the Historian

269. Telegram From the Mission at the United Nations to the Department of State1

New York, December 9, 1957—9 p.m.

Delga 571. Re Cyprus. Averoff approached Lodge after Committee I adjourned. He urged in strongest terms that US remain neutral and abstain from voting on Greek self-determination resolution.2 …

When Lodge asked whether there was any possibility of Greeks and British agreeing on resolution, Averoff replied affirmatively, but emphasized Greece could never accept any resolution stipulating parties to dispute since this would give Turkey veto power over any solution.

Recommendation: On basis of what Averoff told me and what I know of situation, I strongly recommend I be authorized to take neutral position on Greek resolution should it be pressed to [Page 517] vote. … Of course recognize that it would be preferable if Greek resolution never came to vote, and compromise resolution acceptable all three emerged. Given Greek state of mind this year, this seems unlikely.3

Lodge
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 747C.00/12–957. Secret; Priority.↩
  2. The Greek draft resolution stipulated that the General Assembly would express the desire that the people of Cyprus be given an opportunity to determine their own future.↩
  3. In telegram 1683, December 10, Penfield reported that Karamanlis had expressed great concern that the U.S. position on the Greek resolution would be “unfavorable”. Penfield strongly urged the Department to avoid a U.S. vote against Greece. (Department of State, Central Files, 747C.00/12–1057)↩