247. Telegram From the Embassy in Turkey to the Department of State0
187. Paris for USRO, West and Thurston. During conversation with Foreign Minister Zorlu evening July 14 on Lebanon, reported separately,1 he broached Cyprus.
[Page 686]He referred bad news from island, and said two communities were close to civil war. Asserted he had repeatedly told HMG this unfortunate moment make such declarations as those made Commons June 19, and GOT begged HMG not to do so. He bluntly accused HMG of following perfidious policy of “divide and rule”. He accused Governor Foot of releasing Greeks from confinement in order show Turk Cypriots they cannot live without protection UK, and vice versa. He denied that single bomb, gun had reached Turk community Cyprus from Turkey.
Asked about fiery Ankara radio broadcasts to Cyprus, he rejoined these did not specifically incite Turk populace Cyprus indulge in killings and terrorism, as did EOKA.
With respect Foot plan for mutual cooperation between leaders Turk and Greek Cypriot communities and UK colonial government in order establish security,2 he refused to be committed whether or not GOT specifically supported such proposals, merely indicating that Mayor Tervis was not power behind Greek Cypriot community but rather Grivas, Greek Government and Makarios.
[1 paragraph (4 lines of source text) not declassified]
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 747C.00/7–1558. Secret. Repeated to Athens, London, Paris for USRO, and Nicosia.↩
- Telegram 183 from Ankara, July 15. (Ibid.)↩
- See footnote 1, Document 170.↩