94. Telegram From the Embassy in Greece to the Department of State1

163. DCM yesterday transmitted to FonMin Costopoulos second Acheson memorandum to Nikolareizis (Geneva 34 to Athens and Geneva’s A–40 to Dept.)2

Costopoulos said Makarios had been apprised of contents Acheson memo to Nikolareizis regarding Turkish minority (Geneva’s A–40 to Dept) and also of Turk demand for military base.

[Page 201]

Makarios categorically opposed both proposals. (Comment: We rather suspect Makarios has actually been shown and perhaps given copy of first Acheson memo to Nikolareizis and cannot exclude possibility these documents may some day appear in press.)

Costopoulos said he personally also disappointed in proposals regarding Turkish minority which GOG considered unnecessarily complicated and constitute in effect cantonal arrangement. He noted that Makarios had agreed to issue “Bill of Rights” for Turkish minority and that if this were done some sort of international supervision of this bill of rights would be entirely acceptable to GOG.

Costopoulos mentioned his own ideas of seeking removal Turkish minority in exchange for Turkish military base on Cyprus (Embtel 147 to Dept, 33 to Geneva)3 had not found favor with Papandreou who apparently considers this would be impracticable as well as inconsistent with excellent Greek record with regard to existing Turkish ethnic groups in Greece.

GOG concerned, he said, that concessions are being asked of GOG without any indication such concessions likely produce agreement with GOT acceptable to GOG. Nikolareizis will be instructed obtain clearer idea of what Turks actually prepared accept.

One of the most serious problems confronting GOG is fact Makarios would oppose any agreement between Greek and Turkish Govts providing for special civil organization for Turkish minority as well as Turk military base by asserting that such types of provisions would constitute only revision of London-Zurich Accords incompatible with completely independent Cyprus. Basically Makarios is opposed to enosis, but will not publicly admit it. Costopoulos did not assess possibility Makarios himself might be prepared make concessions to Turks on his own initiative in effort preempt GOG-GOT agreement, if by so doing he could preserve independent status of Cyprus.

Costopoulos, speaking very personally and confidentially, said he did not see how under these circumstances it was going to be possible to reach an agreement with Turks which would also be satisfactory to Govt of Cyprus. If agreement on basic issues could be reached by Turks and GOG, perhaps best tactical procedure would be as follows: simultaneous declaration by Greek and Cypriot Parliaments proclaiming enosis followed by plebiscite in Cyprus and possibly Greece ratifying this decision. After proclamation of enosis, Greek Govt would then be in position to honor agreements reached with Turks and US Govt as result of current negotiations. In Costopoulos’ view such agreement would provide measures for guarantee of protection for Turkish ethnics as well as leased [Page 202] Turk military base (sovereign base unacceptable) for period perhaps as long as 25 years. Base would be purely military, probably on Karpas Pe-ninsula, limited in size, and without space required either for large number of Turkish troops or safe haven area for Turk ethnic civilians. If meeting of minds could be reached with GOT along foregoing lines perhaps prompt solution could be found before convening of UNGA and under circumstances which would avoid giving Makarios apparently valid justification publicly oppose enosis.

Comment: Obviously, Costopoulos’ comments re possible GOG program involving understanding with GOT re possible lease base agreement and subsequent proclamation of enosis by Grk and Cypriot Parliaments extremely sensitive and should be tightly held pending further evolution of Greek attitude.

Labouisse
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 23–8 CYP. Secret; Priority; Exdis-TAG. Repeated to Geneva for Acheson, Nicosia, and Ankara.
  2. Telegram 34 from Geneva to Athens was not found. Airgram A–40 transmitted the first draft of the memorandum (Document 90). (Department of State, Central Files, POL 23–8 CYP)
  3. Dated July 26. (Ibid.)