Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume XVI, Eastern Europe; Cyprus; Greece; Turkey

295. Telegram From the Embassy in Cyprus to the Department of State⁰

Nicosia, November 26, 1963, 3 p.m.

295. Embtel 288.¹ Makarios told me this morning he had virtually completed memorandum listing approximately ten constitutional provisions which required amendment, together with argumentation supporting need for change. Makarios said he planned to send memorandum to each of guarantor powers with copy to Dr. Kutchuk for his information. Makarios added that memorandum would deal only with Constitution and not with Treaties of Guarantee and of Alliance, as it was his view that other powers could not intervene in Cyprus. Makarios also planned to hand us copy of memorandum and thought it would be ready to be sent by end of this week. Makarios hoped that Dr. Kutchuk would study memorandum and would later be willing to negotiate and that guarantor powers, as well as we, would be willing to speak with Ankara whose ties with Turkish Cypriots were close.

I commented that, as Archbishop Makarios knew, we had long favored direct talks between Greek and Turkish Cypriots and would welcome fair and reasonable Greek Cypriot proposals which would resolve present difficulties. I suggested that they not be put forward as amendments, but as suggestions for improving functioning of Constitution. I added we understood UK had urged Makarios proceed in this way and that we strongly supported British views.²

Makarios replied that he would do his best to keep situation calm and that he was giving careful attention to question of wording. At same time he was convinced that amendments or improvements in Constitution were required and that if Turkish Cypriots, with backing of Ankara, refused, it would be necessary to seek changes in other ways.

I again said it would seem far wiser for Greek and Turkish Cypriots to reach agreement, and was confident that if fair and reasonable Greek Cypriot proposals were forthcoming friends of Cyprus would be more able to urge their acceptance by others.

Wilkins

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 15–5 Cyp. Secret. Repeated to Ankara, Athens, and London.
1. Telegram 288, November 19, reported on a discussion between Wilkins and Kutchuk in which Kutchuk stated that he was ready to consider Greek Cypriot proposals for institutional change but would reject “out of hand” any document presenting them as amendments to the Constitution. (Ibid.)
2. In telegram 282, November 15, Wilkins reported on his conversation with High Commissioner Clark on Clark’s discussions with Makarios. (Ibid., POL Cyp)