Office of the Historian

USUN files, Cyprus—1950–August 1955

No. 388
Memorandum of Telephone Conversation, by the United States Representative at the United Nations (Lodge)1

confidential
[New York,] October 8, 1954.

Subject:

  • Cyprus cable2

Participants:

  • Secretary Dulles
  • Ambassador Lodge

Secretary Dulles said that the cable on Cyprus had been sent with “no high level clearance.”

I said that it was the only really categorical instructions which I had received since being at the United Nations and that it would have been altogether natural for me to have carried out the instructions without question. I did not do so because they seemed to [Page 719] me so highly unwise. I said there was something wrong with the system and that whoever sent that cable should be talked to.3

We then discussed the Cyprus question and he said he wanted me to try to prevent the matter from ever coming to a head so that we would not have to take a public position on it, that if it did come to a head we would then consult and see what to do in the light of the circumstances that then existed.

I expressed my belief that we should do everything we could behind the scenes and procedurally to prevent the issue from coming to a head, but that if it did we should not go on record against the Greeks, both because of the importance of the colonial issue in the world and because of our own public opinion.

He said he wasn’t prepared to agree that we should vote with the Greeks.

I said I was not asking that we should vote with the Greeks, but only that we should not vote against them.

  1. The typed notation:“For the Files” and “Not for Reports” appears in the heading of the source text. A memorandum, prepared in the Department of State, of a telephone call by Lodge in New York to Dulles in Washington earlier on the same day reads as follows:

    “L. said he received instructions to deliver personally a note to the Greeks. He questions the prudence of telling them this far before elections we are going to oppose any resolution. The Sec. said he knew nothing about it. L. said the item is at the bottom of the list and they won’t get to it until the end of November. The Sec. reversed the instructions. L. said the instructions were going to Athens.” (Eisenhower Library, Dulles papers, Telephone memoranda, General, Aug.–Oct. 1954)

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  2. Reference is to telegram 186 to New York, Oct. 7, which instructed Lodge to deliver a note verbale to the Greek Delegation. The last paragraph of the note verbale reads:

    “The US, whose record of friendship for Greece entitles it speak frankly on matters common concern, urges Greek Government endeavor keep any discussion of Cyprus question as brief and temperate as possible. US is opposed to having Assembly adopt any resolution on this subject and furthermore would feel obliged to advise others to take similar stand if resolution is proposed. In our considered judgment any attempt press matters into lengthy discussions or toward consideration of any resolution can only work harm to structure of inter-Allied cooperation without making any constructive contribution toward easing of present tensions arising from this problem.”

    Also sent as telegram 837 to Athens, Oct. 7, which instructed the Embassy to deliver the same note verbale to the Greek Foreign Ministry. (747C.00/10–754)

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  3. A memorandum for the files by Cook, Oct. 18, reads:

    “On October 8 word was received in USUN that Rod O’Connor had instructed the Greek Desk to cable the Embassy in Greece to hold up delivery of the note which Ambassador Lodge discussed with the Secretary. Mr. O’Connor also said that confirmation to the effect the note had not been delivered would not be received before Saturday, October 9.

    “The Secretary requested the papers with respect to the note be sent to his desk immediately.

    “Mr. O’Connor requested Ambassador Lodge to hold delivery of the note here pending further word from the Secretary.” (USUN files, Cyprus—1950–August 1955)

    Telegram 844 to Athens, Oct. 8, instructed the Embassy not to deliver the note. (747C.00/10–854) Telegram 793 from Athens, Oct. 8, stated that the note had not been delivered. (747C.00/10–854)

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