265. Telegram From the Embassy in Cyprus to the Department of State0
222. Minister of Interior Georkadjis mentioned [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] in conversation today that discussions were now taking place which would lead to new Cypriot right-wing political party, but that matter would probably not jell until Makarios approved. We have had similar information from other sources. Georkadjis expressed hope that we would continue to support this concept in conversations with Makarios as President Kennedy did in June and Vice President Johnson did in August. We shall so do here.
In view of these developments, we also recommend that proposed letter by Vice President Johnson to Makarios1 contain, as recommended earlier today (Embtel 216),2 support for formation of right-wing political party.3
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 780A.00/10–862. Secret; Niact.↩
- The Department of State transmitted the draft text of the letter in telegram 195 to Nicosia, October 5. In the letter Johnson noted the U.S. commitment to aid Cyprus and the Cypriot Government’s agreement in principle to establish a USIA relay station, but advised Makarios that Congress would be unwilling to pay the sum requested by his government since the price was well out of line with the prices paid for other stations. (Ibid., 811.0080A/10–562)↩
- Not printed. (Ibid., 780A.00/10–862)↩
- In telegram 198, October 9, the Department of State instructed the Embassy: “You authorized support discreetly in talks with Makarios concept of anti-communist Greek-Cypriot political party. VP’s letter, however, will not refer to this issue, since if leaked it could give opposition and others grounds for pressing charge U.S. interfering in internal Cypriot affairs.” (Ibid.)↩