Office of the Historian

224. Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs (Wilcox) to the Secretary of State1

Washington, February 19, 1957.

SUBJECT

  • Cyprus

Discussion:

The GA Political Committee began discussing Cyprus February 18. Three resolutions have been submitted: a Greek proposal asserting the right of self-determination for the Cypriots; a British proposal calling for Greece to take measures to prevent support for terrorism; and a Greek proposal calling for establishment of a factfinding committee to investigate the UK charges of terrorism against Greece.2 It is currently unclear whether the UK would still regard a vote against its terrorism resolution as an “unfriendly act” or whether it would accept a negative vote as the price for a negative US vote on the Greek self-determination resolution and the Greek resolution on a fact finding commission.3

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Meantime our Delegation in New York will make clear in its statement, without, however, disclosing how the US will vote, that the US does not believe any of the resolutions, irrespective of their possible merits, would contribute to a solution, and will express the hope their sponsors will not press them to a vote. Our estimate is that the Greek resolution on self-determination would be adopted if the US abstains. In its present form the Greek resolution would set a dangerous and undesirable precedent that any territory may determine its own future independently of other interests involved.

In these circumstances there are two alternatives; the first is preferable:

(1)
If the UK can accept a negative US vote on its proposal or decides not to press it to a vote, the preferred course would be for the US to initiate, preferably through others, but if necessary itself, a procedural-type resolution which would refer to the necessity of good relations between nations and peoples and express the view that appropriate negotiations should be undertaken to achieve a solution. Whether the US or others submit the resolution, we should make sure we can maintain control of its content.
(2)
If the UK continues to insist that the US not oppose its proposal, we should seek to persuade Greece, as the price for a US abstention, to accept amendments to its self-determination resolution that will rephrase it to include the need for the restoration of peaceful conditions; to refer to the legitimate interests of those concerned; and to place the principle of self-determination in its Charter context.

The attached telegram4 instructs the Delegation in this sense, and includes the texts of suitable resolutions to cover both alternatives.

Recommendation:

That you approve the attached telegram.

  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 747C.00/2–1957. Confidential. Drafted by Elizabeth A. Brown of UNP↩
  2. For texts of these three resolutions, see U.N. Docs. A/C1/L.168, A/C.1/L.170, and A/C.1/L/169, respectively.↩

  3. On February 19, during the course of the Secretary’s Staff meeting, Walmsley raised the question of Cyprus in the United Nations. The notes of the meeting read:

    “Mr. Walmsley reported that the British called on Mr. Wilcox yesterday and asked that we reconsider our present position of abstaining when the UK resolution and the two Greek resolutions come to a vote in the UNGA. Mr. Walmsley said the British now recognize it would be better if we voted against all three resolutions, for they have come to the realization that if we abstain, the Greek resolutions will in all likelihood be approved. The Secretary said we must approach this issue with caution since he had received a note from Foreign Minister Lloyd that a US vote against the UK resolution would be considered ‘an unfriendly act.’ The Secretary also noted that we had announced our position privately to the Turkish and Greek Foreign Ministers and Ambassador Caccia and said that if we change our position at this juncture it will be necessary to take it up with all three parties. Mr. Rountree remarked that the British and Turks would welcome such a change but the Greeks would be infuriated. He also emphasized the need for a quick decision since the matter could come to a vote in the General Assembly today. The Secretary reiterated that he wanted this matter handled with great care.” (Department of State, Secretary’s Staff Meetings: Lot 63 D 75)

    ↩
  4. Gadel 149, February 20, not printed. (Ibid., Central Files, 320.5747C/2–2057)↩