243. Telegram From the Consulate in Nicosia to the Department of State0

9. [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] Governor requested us pass following information to Ethnarchy: Foot is anxious Makarios be informed of Governor’s ideas regarding possibility his return to Cyprus. Governor does not want any declarations or prior agreements; he does require a period of de facto peace free from Greek violence [Page 678] including EOKA killings and intimidation.1 Such a period need not be “unduly prolonged”. Without being absolutely definite, which of course he could not be, this phrase could be interpreted to mean through the end of August.

I saw Foot this Noon and told him message delivered with good chance it would be passed on to Athens although I not sure what endorsement it might bear. Told Foot Ethnarchy representative had said given definite date would make Greek position easier but that I could easily understand why this was impossible.

Foot’s message to Makarios (Consulate telegram 5)2 in reply to latter’s letter rejecting proposals has been delivered by Ambassador Allen. In it he argues points raised by Makarios re divisive nature of proposals and in final paragraph reiterates plea for de facto cessation violence saying this would permit ending emergency and “open way for negotiations with you on Cyprus”. Letter will probably be published in next few days.

Belcher
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 747C.00/7–558. Secret; Priority; Limit Distribution; Noforn. Repeated to Athens, Ankara, London, and Paris for USRO.
  2. On June 30, a new wave of violence broke out on Cyprus as Greeks and Turks began attacking each other. The violence reached its climax on July 5 when British troops fired into a rioting crowd of Greeks, killing 2 and wounding 13. EOKA used British actions as the pretext for the assassination of both British officials and Turkish Cypriots.
  3. Telegram 5 from Nicosia, July 3, reported that Foot had advised the British Government that Makarios should be permitted to return to Cyprus and that Foot had sent the draft of a letter for Makarios to London for approval. (Department of State, Central Files, 747C.00/7–358) Makarios had rejected the plan on June 20.