239. Editorial Note
On April 14, the Embassy at Ankara transmitted the text of a note that the Turkish Government delivered to the Government of Greece regarding Cyprus. The Turkish note indicated that the Government of Turkey considered that the “enosist designs” of Greece were aimed directly at Turkey, and that the Greek Government was in “close collaboration” with Makarios. The note also added that the attitude of the Greek Government, which was to make declarations in international organizations and then to deny them “before its proper public opinion”, is “a manifest proof of its ill-intentions.” (Telegram 2371 from Ankara, April 14; Department of State, Central Files, 747C.00/4–1457)
On April 16, during the course of discussion at the Secretary’s Staff meeting, William Rountree raised the matter of Cyprus. According to the notes of the meeting, the following exchange occurred:
“Mr. Rountree reported that relations between the Greeks and the Turks have reached an even more acute stage as the result of a very strong note delivered by the Turks to the Greeks on the subject of Cyprus and Makarios. Mr. Rountree said that …he felt that the Greeks were now aware of the seriousness with which the Turks regarded the situation. The Acting Secretary indicated he felt we had a definite responsibility to do what we can to resolve this situation. Mr. Rountree said that he was thinking of sending a communication to the Greeks noting that Makarios’ release was due to our intercession and that in return the Greeks should attempt to exercise some restraint on their part. However, he said we are stopped from doing this because of the strong British objection to any indication that the US played a role in arranging the release of Makarios. He felt the only channel open to us at the moment was to King Paul and some [Page 472] consideration was being given to a further approach through him.” (Ibid., Secretary’s Staff Meetings: Lot 63 D 75)
On April 17, at the 320th meeting of the National Security Council, Director of Central Intelligence Dulles in his review of significant world developments affecting United States security, raised the subject of Cyprus. A memorandum of the discussion reads:
“The return of Archbishop Makarios to Athens has stepped up the tension between Greece and Turkey. The Greek Government is seriously worried over the outbreak of trouble with Turkey as a result of inflammatory speeches and pronouncements by Makarios.” (Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, NSC Memoranda of Discussion)