303. Telegram From the Embassy in France to the Department of State 0

2712. Noforn from Thurston. On very confidential basis Melas gave me brief fill in last night on latest Zorlu-Averoff talks here.1 He described atmosphere as good, even encouraging, and said substance related to internal government of an independent Cyprus as well as its international status. On internal side agreement reached in principle on application of two to one ratio for Greek-Turkish representation in various governing bodies, including central legislature. Re internal security forces, however, Turks were pressing for 50–50 arrangement. Melas opined that the two Foreign Ministers were getting into rather abstract and hypothetical realm in discussing an elaborate police organization designed to provide top jobs sufficient to satisfy the amour-propre of the two communities rather than to perform its functions efficiently. Melas also referred somewhat vaguely to the former mixed tribunals in Egypt as a model for the Cypriot judiciary.

Stickiest part of discussion appeared to be that relating to international status of Cyprus with Zorlu taking line that Cyprus should not be eligible in its own right for membership in international organizations and that Greece, Turkey and perhaps UK as well would have right to [Page 761] exercise veto on this subject. Melas thought exclusion of an independent Cyprus from UN would be hard pill to swallow.

I gathered impression from Melas that Zorlu and Averoff parted amicably with intention to continue discussions, though manner in which talks will be pursued not stated. Melas seemed rather uneasy about underlying attitude UK on this Greek-Turkish effort though he acknowledged that present official UK line was quite satisfactory.

Please protect source.

Houghton
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 747C.00/1–2359. Secret; Limit Distribution; Noforn. Repeated to Athens, Ankara, London, and Nicosia.
  2. January 18–20.