Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Soviet Union, Eastern Mediterranean, Volume XXIV

237. Message From Prime Minister Macmillan to President Eisenhower¹

London, March 31, 1957.

Dear Friend: Thank you for your letter about Archbishop Makarios.² As you say, this was a difficult decision for us and you will have seen that it was not taken without loss to the Government. I do not believe that the Archbishop has changed his views in the Seychelles; he is the Bourbon of Cyprus. But events in the island and in the world are surging past him. Harding has beaten terrorism militarily, and the world now recognizes that Cyprus is an international problem.

I am sure that your aid in persuading all concerned to face reality could be of decisive help. Of course my right-wing assume that we released the Archbishop at your request, so private pressure by you would be better than public statements.

Warm regards, as ever,

Harold Macmillan

³

1. Source: Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, International File. Top Secret. Transmitted under cover of a note from Caccia to Eisenhower, dated March 31.
2. See telegram 6822, supra.
3. Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.