Office of the Historian

251. Telegram From the Embassy in Cyprus to the Department of State0

Nicosia, October 7, 1961, 1 p.m.

188. I had hour’s frank and friendly conversation with Makarios this noon (October 6), first since seeing him prior to month’s leave commencing end of August. During that time several important developments [Page 517] have taken place, including Belgrade Conference,1 commencement of UNGA with unhappy death of Hammarskjold,2 and Syrian revolt,3 all of which might be expected to have effect on Cypriot attitude toward international affairs. Subjects covered wide range, including these subjects and other reports here and in separate messages.

At outset I told Makarios Washington had telegraphed US President Kennedy had decided on increased US aid to Cyprus, but we would be unable to say how much would be available (Deptel 195)4 until there had been an opportunity to study new aid legislation and to consult with Cypriot official. I described this as yet another indication of American interest in Cyprus and said it had been most fortunate there had been UN report and subsequent study by GOC, as reflected in Makarios statement of August 21. Third stage, it seemed to me, was IBRD study which was now beginning.5 Because of this sequence of events, GOC had moved long way toward studying and assessing its needs which should thus soon have fruitful results.

Makarios expressed great pleasure on learning of President’s decision re US aid and indicated he realized it might take a little time to work out details. He asked whether US assistance would be handled through international consortium, as I had previously informed him, or on bilateral basis.

I said I had no new information, but would assume it still true there was better chance of early success of GOC’s obtaining required amounts of capital through international consortium in which USG would participate (septel 399).6 At same time, I saw no reason why American contribution to consortium might not be worked out on bilateral basis. I suggested, however, we defer discussion until more information was in hand.

Makarios said Kyprianou had been pressing him for approval of latter’s visit to US as follow-up of his conversations with Under Secretary Bowles here re economic assistance (Embtel 107)7 and asked me whether I thought Foreign Minister should undertake this journey. In [Page 518] view of Foreign Minister’s earlier conversation with me,8 I said if Kyprianou should go to UN, it might be useful for him to drop down to Washington for discussion of some of these matters. Makarios agreed in principle, but feared there would be Cypriot criticism on grounds of expense if another Cypriot official journeyed so far overseas and because Cypriot Ambassador was already there. I did not pursue matter further because, while there might be some advantage in building up Kyprianou through visit to UN and Washington, it would probably in long run be preferable to discuss these matters with Makarios on spot.

Wilkins
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.80A/10–761. Confidential. Repeated to Ankara, Athens, and London.↩
  2. The Belgrade Conference of Non-Aligned Nations held September 1–6.↩
  3. Hammarskjold died in a plane crash in the Congo during the night of September 17–18.↩
  4. On September 28, Syria seceded from the United Arab Republic.↩
  5. Telegram 195, October 3, summarized NSAM No. 98. (Department of State, Central Files, 611.80A/10–361)↩
  6. Reference is to the Thorp mission.↩
  7. Not found.↩
  8. In telegram 107, August 19, Wilkins suggested an expansion of the U.S. response to Makarios’ request for economic assistance. (Department of State, Central Files, 880A.00/8–1961)↩
  9. Not further identified.↩