Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Volume X, Part 1, Eastern Europe Region; Soviet Union; Cyprus

267. Telegram From the Department of State to the Mission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and European Regional Organizations⁰

Washington, September 29, 1958, 12:11 a.m.

Topol 1025. Ankara pass Dillon.

1. Dept, conscious of grave threat posed to NATO by present Cyprus situation, has been giving constant and urgent thought to various aspects of problem as reported from addressee posts. Suggestion contained Deptel 3199 to London¹ was based upon our understanding that UK and Turks would not agree to postpone implementation of British plan and that some formula would have to be found taking this into account. While British response as reported London’s 1779 to Dept,² repeated addressee posts, is not all that we might have hoped for, we are encouraged that British have accepted principle of conference. We understand from British Ambassador Washington that statement to be made by UK rep will make clear that while HMG cannot agree to suspending progressive application of program announced on June 18 and August 15, British are prepared accept in principle conference on basis and within scope of British plan and to discuss its application. UK Ambassador stated to Rountree³ that if conference is called for purpose of discussing application of British plan, and if conference agrees upon modifications, these modifications would become effective. Rountree expressed hope this explanation might also be included in UK statement in NAC, although it not yet known whether this will in fact be done notwithstanding inclusion sentence along these lines in partial text contained London’s 1779. Rountree also suggested deletion from British text of indication that Greek acceptance of Spaak proposal for conference including Turkish participation implied Greek recognition of Turkish interest in Cyprus. He expressed view this would cause considerable domestic political difficulty for GOG.

2. We hope that Spaak and other reps NAC will find British proposal constructive, although we realize there is widespread hope that British will defer implementation of plan. We feel our own statement should reflect optimism that talks are in prospect and might lead to constructive developments. We should bear in mind that beginning of implementation of plan does not mean that parts of it cannot later be modified by agreement.

3. USRO should take following line in making US statement in NAC Sept 29: US reaffirms its belief that it is proper for NATO allies to seek to resolve differences by discussion, and for that reason we believe Spaak’s initiative in proposing conference was in line with his responsibilities in Committee of Three Report. We have on more than one occasion urged our allies to seek solution in NATO rather than in more public discussions.

Suggestions have been made for deferment of the execution of the British plan. We note that UK, while stating its willingness to participate in a conference, has not considered it possible to accept postponement of steps leading to beginning of implementation of plan, pending outcome of such a conference.

We believe however that the scope of the conference could be liberally interpreted. If as result of discussions there are changes agreed, these changes could be put into effect irrespective of fact that they might be inconsistent with prior actions.

We believe there is general desire here that those concerned with this matter will find it possible to undertake at an early date discussions which can lead to a constructive solution to this difficult problem. We are convinced that talks entered into in the spirit of the alliance can and will shed light on possible grounds for understanding and agreement. We believe that NATO may thus make a material contribution to a peaceful settlement and we ourselves shall of course stand ready to lend our assistance to our allies.

Dulles

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 747C.00/9–2858. Secret; Niact. Drafted by Rountree and cleared by Timmons, Williams, and in substance by Dulles. Repeated to London, Ankara, Athens, and Nicosia.
1. See footnote 4, Document 266.
2. Telegram 1779 from London, September 28, transmitted the text of the statement prepared by the British Government for presentation to the September 29 NAC meeting. (Department of State, Central Files, 747C.00/9–2858) See Document 269.
3. A memorandum of Rountree’s September 28 conversation with Caccia is in Department of State, Central Files, 747C.00/9–2858.