212. Telegram From the Embassy in Turkey to the Department of State1
598. USUN’s 52; Deptel 429.2 PriMin Demirel called me in November 24 to discuss Cyprus question in UNGA as well as MAP levels for Turkey (latter subject reported separately).3 Acting FonMin Sukan, Acting FonMin SYG Binkaya and Soylemez of Cyprus Bureau also present during Cyprus portion of discussion.
In response to my opening comment that PriMin looked well and seemed to have enjoyed election campaign, Demirel said he had enjoyed it indeed, so much so that he wished campaign were still going on. When [Page 449] I left, anteroom and outer hall were crowded with well-wishers who, I was told, had been coming to Demirel’s office on daily basis to shake his hand and congratulate him on electoral success.
Demirel said he wanted to talk to me because Turkish Government very concerned over 24-nation resolution re Cyprus.4 He regretted such resolution had been tabled but task now was to block it because resolution would endanger peaceful solution of Cyprus issue. PriMin said he hoped that USG would use its influence to block this resolution and that USG would help garner support for Afghan-Iraqi resolution.5
I told PriMin I had read text of both resolutions and understood Afghan-Iraqi resolution had precedence. I also had observed obvious flaws in 24-nation resolution. As PriMin aware, U.S. was supporting GOT in seeking adoption of procedural resolution and I was certain that our two delegations in New York were in close touch in pursuit this objective. While I had no concrete suggestions, it seemed to me it might be possible to make certain adaptations in the Afghan-Iraqi resolution which would draw support from 24-nation proposal. However, tactics could best be handled in New York.
In response my inquiry as to whether he had received any report re support for Afghan-Iraqi resolution, Demirel replied in negative, adding he hoped to receive information soon. His main concern was that 24-nation resolution not pass because resolution was in violation UN Charter and existing agreements. I recalled we had previously informed GOT we did not consider UN appropriate place to change agreements between parties and reaffirmed that our respective delegations in New York would be in close contact. Demirel said he understood this was case but wished Turkish Government’s views to be known directly through me as well as through Turkish UN delegation, and he was confident U.S. would not fail to assist Turkey in heading off 24-nation resolution. I replied that within framework of our common objectives, PriMin could be assured two delegations would be working together for procedural resolution.
Turning other aspects Cyprus problem, Demirel said GOT desired Famagusta settlement as soon as possible. In particular Turks wanted high school returned so that students [garble—could begin?] classes. He also referred to Javits visit,6 reaffirming that roofing and window material was needed for houses for 6,000 Turk Cypriot [garble] otherwise [Page 450] faced prospect of spending winter in tents, with consequent problems for Turkish public opinion.7
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 CYP. Confidential. Repeated to USUN, Athens, Nicosia, London, and Paris for USRO.↩
- Telegram 52 from USUN to Ankara, November 20, provided comments on the draft resolutions presented at the United Nations. (Ibid.) Telegram 429 to Ankara, October 13, reported that Turkey appeared ready to pursue bilateral talks with Greece on Cyprus. (Ibid.)↩
- Telegram 603 from Ankara, November 26. (Ibid., DEF TUR)↩
- On November 18, 24 nations (later joined by 7 more) submitted a draft resolution to the U.N. General Assembly on the Cyprus question. (U.N. Doc. A/C.1/L.342/Rev.1 and Add. 1–3) The draft resolution was adopted on December 18 as Resolution 2077 (XX); see footnote 3, Document 217.↩
- U.N. Doc. A/C.1/L.341.↩
- Senator Jacob Javits, Chairman of the NATO Parliamentarians Economic Committee, visited Ankara November 15–17 for meetings concerning possible Greek-Turkish economic cooperation.↩
- In telegram 2249 from USUN, November 25, the Mission commented that the Embassy should tell the Turkish Government that the United States would not sponsor its proposed resolution, judging that this approach would only complicate the Cyprus situation. (Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 CYP) The Turkish draft resolution is U.N. Doc. A/C.1/L.336.↩