244. Telegram From the Embassy in Cyprus to the Department of State 1
705. 1. During meeting with Archbishop today he gave me same story he had given Hunt Nicosia 6892 re his meeting with Stephanopoulos. Using most emphatic Greek, Makarios said there was absolutely no possibility now or in future that he would agree to establishment of Turkish base in Cyprus whether sovereign or leased. When I asked him whether he felt same way about possible NATO base in which Turks could participate as part of multilateral force along with Greeks and perhaps others, he said this was different matter and he did not object to concept.[Page 519]He expressed doubt, however, that Turks would accept such proposal if GOG made it in connection with dialogue. (According to Finnish Ambassador who called today Archbishop made same statement to General Martola during recent meeting.)
2. Makarios reiterated well-known view that by mid-December “we should know where we stand” with regard to dialogue and he asked me whether I had any news as to present status. I replied in negative suggesting that probable meeting between Toumbas and Caglayangil in Paris might have some results which would become known to him.
3. Comment: While we have had numerous influential Greek Cypriots express acceptance of NATO base concept, this is first time any of us in diplomatic corps or in UNFICYP have heard direct from Archbishop that he would not be opposed to a NATO base as part of an enosis solution.