Office of the Historian

113. Telegram From the Embassy in Cyprus to the Embassy in Turkey1

Nicosia, August 9, 1964, 3:30 p.m.

165. Just seen President in urgent last minute appeal to him, order cease-fire in order avoid further spread of violence. After making numerous points and expressing my real regret that we had not taken advantage of cease-fire which lasted almost 18 hours, I urged him in spite of reports which he had recounted of destruction of Greek villages as distinct from any military targets, make urgent announcement of cease-fire using whatever justification needed which would put GOC in best possible [Page 238] light. As he was saying “Do you think that Turks would stop if I did so?” aide came in to announce 2 further air strikes by 4 and 7 planes respectively on villages of Pamos and Kato Pyrgos setting center of towns afire. With this news President turned to me with hopeless shrug and said “What can I do?”

I suggested that he and his Ministers were putting USG in impossible position by using US as means of transmittal of “ultimatum” for two reasons (1) time element too short and (2) Turks unlikely respond this sort of threat. I urged him again in most urgent tones reconsider this terrible decision so fraught with dangers for his people.

I said I would do what I could but I was not at all hopeful that restrictions which he had placed on situation would make possible a favorable outcome. As he accompanied me to door I asked again regarding time limit and he indicated 1:30 GMT.

We at Nicosia recognize that if US successfully stops Turks on this occasion and in response this type ultimatum we will henceforth be held responsible for controlling Turks and subject this type of blackmail. However even so I believe we must make every conceivable effort obtain at least temporary cessation of bombing in order not to create holocaust on this island with all its ultimate consequences for our alliances not only in area but elsewhere.

Belcher
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 23–8 CYP. Confidential; Flash. Repeated to the Department of State (where it was received at 9:58 a.m.), USUN, the White House, Geneva for Acheson, Athens, London, Paris for USRO, DOD, CIA, COMSIXTHFLT, Istanbul, Beirut, and USDOCOSouth. The source text is the Department of State copy.↩