249. Memorandum From the Executive Secretary of the Department of State (Battle) to the President’s Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)0
SUBJECT
- Proposals for United States Action in Cyprus
The enclosed study has been prepared in response to the President’s National Security Action Memorandum No. 71.1 After describing certain trends and recent developments in Cyprus, the paper recommends that the United States should assume a more active role in Cyprus than in the past, a role of leadership amongst the Western nations in preserving and strengthening Western interests on the island. One of the principal reasons for recommending this policy shift is the need to retain our strategically important communications facilities.
Specifically the paper reports the following courses of action:
- 1.
- The Department has asked ICA, on an urgent basis, to explore the possibility of assuming a major role in assisting the economic development of Cyprus, including the possibility of financing one of the three major foreign aid projects in Cyprus’ new First Five-Year Plan.
- 2.
- The Department will urge the UK, the IBRD, the IDA and perhaps West Germany to finance other major projects.
- 3.
- We plan to negotiate an agreement with the Government of Cyprus regularizing the status of our communications facilities on Cyprus, exploiting the favorable atmosphere engendered by our aid offer.
- 4.
- We intend to continue existing and planned United States programs and activities in Cyprus, particularly in the labor field.
- 5.
- We plan to continue to consult with the UK, Greece and Turkey, without, however, forfeiting our own freedom of action.
- Source: Department of State, S/S–NSC Files: Lot 72 D 316, NSAM 71. Secret. Drafted by Coon and cleared by NEA, BNA, GER, and ICA.↩
- The paper, entitled “Proposals for United States Action in Cyprus,” is not printed. (Ibid.) NSAM No. 71 is Document 248.↩
- Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature. Melvin L. Manfull signed for Battle.↩