261. National Security Action Memorandum No. 1690
MEMORANDUM FOR
- The Secretary of State
- The Secretary of Defense
- The Director, USIA
- The Director, CIA
- The Administrator, A.I.D.
SUBJECT
- Maintaining Momentum of Makarios Visit
The President desires that we take full advantage of the momentum generated by the recent visits of President Makarios and other high-level Cypriot officials. In NSAM 981 last September he endorsed the State Department’s Proposals for US Action in Cyprus which called for development of an aid program that would give us “the key role” in assisting Cypriot economic development. He realizes that the inexperience of the Cypriot Government has hampered this effort and that it is difficult to find as yet development projects suitable for loan support. However, with the prospect of an improved Cypriot effort following President Makarios’ return, he would like to see our program take definite shape just as soon as feasible. We should also do all we reasonably can toward aiding and encouraging the Cyprus Government to cope with its serious Communist problem.
Specifically, the President is anxious that we give the Cypriots answers as quickly as possible to suggestions they raised during President Makarios’ visit—particularly on assistance to their proposed social insurance program, a possible American university in Cyprus, and water development. Will you therefore report to him by 13 July what progress you feel we have made as a result of the visit and what follow-up steps we are taking to get our aid program moving?
- Source: Department of State, S/S–NSC Files: Lot 72 D 316, NSAM 169. Secret.↩
- Document 250.↩