249. Telegram From the Embassy in the Federal Republic of Germany to the Department of State1
Secto 12. Paris for USRO. Following afternoon NAC session Averoff visited me for half an hour to discuss Cyprus….
He said Greek Government is now contemplating two possible solutions of Cyprus problem. First would be creation of independent state and he expressed his deep conviction that Greece would accept guaranteed independence. He also said Greece would hold elections, placing issue squarely up to electorate which would leave no doubt as to Greek willingness to go through with such solution. Second solution he cited was possible creation of trusteeship. He referred to Makarios proposal to Allen re United States trusteeship. He realized this not feasible and suggested that some NATO country such as Norway might be asked to accept it. He said United Kingdom would be in position to keep its bases on Cyprus and could call on United Nations to arrange such trusteeship.
Commenting on second solution Secretary said Greek Government should turn such a proposal over to someone like Spaak to present and not present it as a Greek proposal. Secretary said heretofore trusteeships have been established with view to eventual self-government and independence and presumably trusteeship over Cyprus would have to be established on different basis. Averoff said that Greek Government could never agree to permanent trusteeship and could not exclude forever right of Cypriots to determine their [Page 483] future He thought it might be possible to express trusteeship in terms of a minimum period of 20 years or so. Averoff said in any case he preferred first solution, i.e., independence and was obviously seeking United States support for this solution. Secretary remarked Turks are opposed to independence because they fear it will lead to ultimate enosis. Secretary did not commit himself to either solution but suggested Averoff pursue question of trusteeship through third party. Secretary felt that any solution acceptable to Greece and Turkey would also be acceptable to United Kingdom. Averoff asked that his views re solution Cyprus be closely held since, he said, only Prime Minister and King in Greece have knowledge of these views.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 396.1–BO/5–357. Secret; Priority. Repeated to Athens, London, Nicosia, and Paris Topol. Dulles was in Bonn to attend the Ministerial meeting of the NAC held May 2 and 3.↩