647C.81/5–251: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Greece 1
4111. Officer Brit Emb informed Dept2 that Brit Fon Off understands Grk Govt will shortly make proposal to UK Govt re union Cyprus with Greece. If Brit reply considered unfavorable by Grks, Greece will consider raising question at Sixth UNGA. Before doing so, however, Grk Rep UN Kyrou will informally sound out US reaction this move. Brit believe if US reply short of positive rejection, Grks wld accept as tacit approval.
Dept replied Amer Emb Athens has expressed view to Grk Govt on several occasions that present time most inopportune raise this question at UN. Also assured US reply to Kyrou wld indicate strong disapproval of such a Grk move.
Dept believes this type maneuver by Grks will only serve exacerbate present situation particularly if exchange of views made public. It may not be too late anticipate this move by Grks and Emb shld, if no objection perceived, seek suitable means discourage it.
- Drafted by Dixon, cleared by UNP and BNA, approved for transmission and signed for the Secretary by Rountree.↩
- Reference is to a conversation between Earl Jellicoe, the First Secretary of the British Embassy, and Ben F. Dixon and Joseph J. Wagner of GTI on May 1. A memorandum of this conversation is in file 747C.00/5–151.↩