Office of the Historian

264. Telegram From the Mission at the United Nations to the Department of State1

New York, September 17, 1957—5 p.m.

Secto 1. In conversation with Secretary, Averoff spoke hopefully of clarification in Cyprus situation (without specifically citing guaranteed independence), but impaired danger of communal violence on Cyprus if no progress at UN. Said he wished postpone debate until after Turk elections.

Secretary strongly urged that GOG change its item as proposed July 12 since it appeared unduly provocative and might arouse passions making solution more difficult. He pointed out this was not [Page 508] time to attack British who we convinced, were anxious to settle reasonably.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Rountree pointed out GOG item as now constituted would probably produce counter item from British and cause bitter debate.

Dulles
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 747C.00/9–1757. Confidential. Repeated to Athens, Ankara, London, Paris Topol, and Nicosia. Dulles was in New York to attend the opening of the Twelfth Session of the U.N. General Assembly.↩