214. Editorial Note
On December 14, Dulles was approached by Greek Foreign Minister Averoff. According to the memorandum of conversation, the following exchange occurred:
“The Greek Foreign Minister spoke to me after the meeting this morning and said that his Government, after having studied the British report for a Cyprus constitution, felt that it was totally unacceptable and virtually reserved plenary powers for the Governor. They were bitterly disappointed.
“I asked what the Greek thinking was about partition, and he said they were giving some sympathetic study to that possibility.
“He strongly urged United States “neutrality” in the forthcoming United Nations debate. He said of course he would like United States support but knew how difficult it would be for us to oppose the United Kingdom.” (Department of State, Conference Files: Lot 62 D 181, CF 814)
Later that day, the Secretary of State reported the following to the Department of State in Secto 22:
“Averoff told Holmes this morning that he had read Radcliffe Constitution and was very disappointed. He said that although he was the most conciliatory person in the Greek Government on Cyprus he could not recommend its support. He felt confident that Makarios would never approve the document. Averoff stated that in order for such a constitution to work the governor would have to be a saint as so much power was reserved to him. He said that he was going to telephone Karamanlis in Athens to give his opinion. Holmes recommended against hasty judgments based on one reading and suggested that further study of draft constitution might well lead to more favorable reaction. Averoff agreed to look again but restated his conviction that Radcliffe plan unsatisfactory.” (Ibid., Central Files, 747C.00/12–1456)