Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Eastern Europe; Soviet Union; Eastern Mediterranean, Volume VIII

Athens Embassy files, lot 60 F 16, “350 Cyprus 1954”

No. 375
Personal Message From the Secretary of State to Foreign Minister Stephanopoulos¹

secret

I should like to set forth to you personally, confidentially, and with the friendliest motives the views of the Government of the United States on the difficult question of Cyprus. I know that Prime Minister Papagos and you desire to approach this problem in a conciliatory and constructive manner and I therefore feel that I may candidly explain why the Government of the United States is convinced that the introduction of this question in the United Nations at this time would result in serious and undesirable consequences.

This Government firmly believes that the strength of the free world’s defense in the vital eastern Mediterranean region depends in large measure on the fullest cooperation and the continuing mutual sympathy of Greece, the United Kingdom and Turkey. However, as you are well aware, these are also the very countries primarily concerned with the future of Cyprus.

As all three countries have, for different reasons, strong views on the subject, it is a question which, we both realize, requires unusual forbearance and discretion. In these matters open pressures are rarely conducive to the best results.

It appears unlikely that, if the Cyprus question is raised in the forthcoming session of the United Nations, the union of Cyprus with Greece will thereby be accomplished. On the other hand, public debate would expose and increase the differences which exist among Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom on this difficult subject. Such a development would be particularly unfortunate at a time when you are wisely seeking to strengthen your country’s ties with Turkey and Yugoslavia.²

I need not point out that any differences between your country, the United Kingdom and Turkey would offer the opportunity for mischief which the Soviet Union is always seeking.

I therefore wish to express to you my profound conviction that a United Nations debate on Cyprus at this time would not achieve the goal which you desire, that it would have serious effects on Greece’s friendly relations with her NATO and her two Ankara Pact partners, and that it would, by its disruptive effect on free-world unity, militate against the best interests of your own country.

The Government of the United States believes that the question is capable of being resolved by the Cypriots and the United Kingdom and that this can be approached in gradual stages. It appears to me that present tensions would be reduced if British officials and Cypriots were to agree to undertake talks looking toward formulation of a mutually acceptable constitution. This Government has made its views on this subject known also to the United Kingdom.³

I should like to reiterate my admiration for the statesmanlike qualities which Prime Minister Papagos and Your Excellency have demonstrated on so many occasions. I am confident that you will receive this message⁴ in the amicable spirit in which it is written and that you will weigh carefully the considerations which it contains.

[Washington,] July 28, 1954.

1. Delivered by Cannon to Stephanopoulos in Athens on July 28; see telegram 238, infra. The message printed here contains revisions suggested by Cannon in telegram 196, July 24 (747C.00/7–2454), which were approved by telegram 230 to Athens, supra. The original letter, July 12, was not delivered to Stephanopoulos. (Enclosure to letter from Richards to Cannon, July 13, in Athens Embassy files, lot 60 F 16, “350 Cyprus 1954”; copy in file 747C.00/7–1254)
2. At this point the original letter had an additional sentence deleted at the suggestion of Cannon with Department of State approval. It reads: “I believe there are deep popular feelings in Turkey on the subject of Cyprus which could not be ignored by the Turkish Government.”

3. This paragraph was suggested by Cannon and approved by the Department of State. In the third sentence, the words “has made” were supplied by the Department of State, replacing the words “plans to make.” This paragraph replaced two paragraphs in the original, which read:

   “The Government of the United States believes that the Cyprus question involves primarily the Cypriots and the United Kingdom. This Government is, nevertheless, also cognizant of the interests of Greece and Turkey.

   “Is this not a question which should be approached gradually? It appears to me that a useful purpose might be served if representatives of the people of Cyprus were to agree to undertake talks with British officials looking toward the formulation of a mutually acceptable constitution. This could be a helpful step toward giving the Cypriots more voice in their own affairs while at the same time reducing present tensions. This Government plans to make its views on this subject known to the United Kingdom and to Turkey.”

   The United Kingdom was informed of U.S. views on this subject by Hamilton in a conversation with Salt of the British Embassy in Washington, July 16; the memorandum of this conversation by Wood, July 16, is in file 747C.00/7–1654.

4. At this point in the original letter. Cannon changed the word “letter” to “message”; see telegram 238, infra.