308. Letter From President Eisenhower to Prime Minister Macmillan 0
Dear Harold: Press reports indicate that Turkey and Greece have settled their differences over Cyprus in a spirit of friendliness and conciliation. I realize that this cannot be finalized until you have approved, but if and when you do I should like to send both Menderes and Karamanlis a congratulatory telegram. My idea is to point out to each that the solution of the problem in this fashion cannot fail to be beneficial to the strength and vigor of the whole NATO alliance. Can you let me know whether the matter has been sufficiently finalized that you believe a congratulatory message from me would be in order.1
Of course I am saying nothing here about the hard work you have done for so many long months to bring this matter to some kind of a decent solution. I cannot tell whether or not it is completely satisfactory to you, but I have so assumed because of your frequent statements to me that “Anything Turkey and Greece will mutually agree on will be acceptable to us so long as our own requirements are met.”
With warm regard,
As ever,
- Source: Eisenhower Library, Staff Secretary Records, International File. No classification marking. Transmitted to London in telegram 7313, February 12. (Ibid., Whitman File, International File)↩
- In a February 13 letter to Eisenhower, Macmillan requested the President to withhold any congratulatory messages until further word. (Ibid., Staff Secretary Records, International File)↩
- Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.↩