Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XVI, Cyprus; Greece; Turkey

234. Telegram From the Embassy in Cyprus to the Department of State¹

Nicosia, June 1, 1966, 1015Z.

582. NATUS Info. Ref Embtel 579.²

1. Talked with FonMin on problem of rising tensions and Bernardes proposals to defuse number problems by trading new relief ship for Turk Cypriot concessions. Kyprianou said he not meeting Bernardes until Saturday to discuss but his first reaction was this was non-starter. He parrotted Archbishop’s remarks of some months ago that GOC not prepared facilitate Turk aim of perpetuating de facto partition by making life simpler and more comfortable for Turkish Cypriots in enclaves.

2. With regard new tougher policy vis-à-vis Turkish Cypriots he was adamant in assessment that govt must take some action against Turkish Cypriot provocations. Claimed their aim in Bey Keuy, Chattos, Trepimeni, Knodhara area was consolidation of new enclave and GOC would not permit it. Asserted this was GOC policy and not merely some idee fixe of Grivas. Despite dangers of action there was a point beyond which GOC could not go in permitting Turkish Cypriots enlarge or further strengthen their perimeters. It was UNFICYP job, which they not doing, to prevent, but failing that GOC must take necessary steps. He did not accept my arguments that increased pressure on community in general only served strengthen control of Turkish Cypriot leadership and we dropped matter by agreeing that our assessments disagreed.

3. Comment: Believe situation can only be defused by additional outside efforts both in Athens, as suggested reftel, as well as through continued support of UNFICYP efforts which so far unavailing. Have informed UK HICOMer along lines reftel and foregoing. He is informing London and will see what he can do to help in Athens as well as here.³

Belcher

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 CYP. Secret. Repeated to London, USUN, Paris, Athens, and Ankara.
2. Telegram 579 from Nicosia, May 31, reported a hardening of the Cypriot Government position on treatment of the Turkish Cypriots. (Ibid.)
3. In telegram 351 to Nicosia, June 1, the Department of State stated its agreement with the need for diplomatic action by Greece to defuse the tense situation on Cyprus and authorized a démarche by Ambassador Talbot in Athens. (Ibid.)