Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XXXIII, Organization and Management of Foreign Policy; United Nations

467. Telegram From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State ¹

New York, February 27, 1964, 2:40 p.m.

3212. Cyprus. Ref: USUN 3179 and USUN 3200.²

1. Prior Feb 27 SC mtg, Yost checked with Bernardes (Brazil), Bitsios (Greece), Menemencioglu (Turkey) and Dean (UK) on prospects of Bernardes draft res. Bernardes felt discouraged with negative reaction to draft by Cypriots and Turks. Bitsios unwilling to get involved in haggling over draft. Menemencioglu strongly opposed text of res: He willing to drop paras 2 and 3 of preamble or to substitute for them para reaffirming Art 2 para 4 of Charter and para on Treaty of Guarantee.

2. Bitsios told Yost he “not aware of anything which would be considered final draft res.” Bernardes had briefed him on discussions of his draft and of various suggestions on wording. He had told Bernardes his govt considered matter very serious but did not want to get into business of haggling over words. Though discouraging Bernardes in this way from showing him draft res, Bitsios stated he told Bernardes he would consider anything that SC members working on this problem produce as final text. Bitsios stressed that important task is now to establish international force on Cyprus and start negots. Said it impossible to remove ref in res to idea of territorial integrity now that matter raised. Did not think treaty should be mentioned in res, however, in view of differing interpretations of treaty. Bitsios emphasized that Greek Govt does not believe failure SC mention treaties affects their validity and that they remain fully valid. Bitsios had no suggestions to offer on what should be next step if SC failed to agree on res.

3. Menemencioglu told Yost that his reaction to Bernardes draft strongly negative. Hoped it would not be submitted, but seemed unconcerned if SC effort ended with no res. When Yost asked whether he would accept res with no ref either to territorial integrity or treaty, Menemencioglu said he would but added that he now working on two preambular paras one of which would quote from Art 2, para 4 of Charter³ and other of which would recall Treaty of Guarantee and Cypriot commitment to respect constitution. Menemencioglu said he would “walk out” of SC if hearing of Denktash refused. Asiroglu (Turkey) later told MisOff that UK, US, Norway, Brazil, Morocco, and France ready support Denktash, but seventh vote in doubt. Liu (China) had told Asiroglu he has definite instructions abstain. Ivory Coast had been reluctant and French had not insisted too hard with them, Asiroglu thought, Bolivia was key vote. We told him Stevenson would make renewed effort.

4. Dean worried that Bernardes effort would fail and seeking ways to keep UN efforts going. Suggested possible new try by SYG.

Stevenson

1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, POL 23–8 CYP. Confidential; Immediate. Repeated to London, Athens, Ankara, Nicosia, and USDOCOSOUTH for POLAD. Passed to the White House, JCS, OSD, CIA, and CINCEUR and CINCSTRIKE for POLADs.
2. Telegram 3200 from USUN, February 6; see footnote 2, Document 466.
3. It reads: “All members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or act in any manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations.”