109. Editorial Note
Joseph Sisco held more meetings in Ankara and Athens on July 21, 1974. According to notes, which summarized those meetings:
“The early morning of July 21 Sisco called Bayulken and in strongest language told him that Turkish failure to meet Sisco was forcing us to conclude that Turkey not interested in continuing its close relationship with U.S. Bayulken immediately called back and said meeting at Foreign Ministry scheduled for 8:15.
“During meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister, he gave Sisco piece of paper in which Ecevit accepted, subject to USG assurance of Greek acceptance, standstill ceasefire as provided in SC resolution. Foreign Minister also promised Turkish rep would be sent to London provided ceasefire in effect. He also raised issue of phantom Greek fleet and said it must be stopped. Sisco agreed to take Turkey’s proposal to Athens.
“Sisco met with Greek Prime Minister and Acting Foreign Minister on July 21 and was informed that the GOG accepts ceasefire as provided for in SC resolution effective 3:00 p.m. Cyprus time. During same meeting, Prime Minister told Sisco that there will be change of government within next 24 hours. For this reason the Greek Government at that time could not take decision to go to London for talks on the following Tuesday.
“During following meeting with Greek Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, PM agreed to present new Turkish idea on ceasefire to toplevel Greek leaders. During the meeting, Greeks complained vociferously about Turkish duplicity and broken promises on ceasefire. Sisco showed PM hand-written copy of Ecevit ceasefire proposal. Sisco also added that if GOG wanted U.S. presence at proposed meeting between Greek and Turkish representatives, we would be there.” (National Archives, RG 59, Records of Joseph Sisco, 1951–1976, Entry 5405, Box 21, Cyprus 1974–75)
Sisco reported more fully on his meetings in telegrams 5750 and 5753 from Ankara and 4746 from Athens, all dated July 21. (Ibid., Central Foreign Policy Files, 1974)
UN Security Council Resolution 353 passed 15–0 on July 20. The resolution called upon all states to recognize the sovereignty of Cyprus, cease all firing and foreign military intervention, exercise restraint and cooperate with the UNFICYP. It also called upon Greece, Turkey, and the United Kingdom to negotiate a peaceful solution to Cyprus. (Yearbook of the United Nations, 1974, page 291)