305. Telegram From the Mission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and European Regional Organizations to the Department of State0
Polto 881. Reference: Topol 847.1 NATO Council meeting held this morning 1015. Turkish Perm Rep read long statement divided in two parts: 1) information as to current situation in Cyprus indicating Turkish community in danger of massacre by Greek Cypriot community (all this later contested by Greek Perm Rep) and 2) information on intention of Turkish Government to act unilaterally by sending Turkish NATO-assigned forces to Cyprus, if tripartite action by guarantor powers proves unable to control situation.
The firmness of the Turkish Perm Rep’s warning that unilateral action might be taken by Turkish forces was ominous. British and Dutch Perm Reps spoke to me privately of their concern lest Turkish statement implied that decision to intervene unilaterally had already been made or was at least under most serious consideration. Sentiment of whole Council was strongly for moderation by Turks and expressed firm hope tripartite action would be successful. Acting SYG summed up firm NAC consensus that all members expected Turks would inform NAC before taking any unilateral action. Turkish Perm Rep said he would report this desire of NAC to his government.
Because of precipitate action in calling meeting Council was not aware of NAC resolution of 14 December 19562 which decided that disputes between NATO members not capable of settlement directly be submitted to good offices procedures within the NATO framework and recognized the duty of member governments and of SYG to bring to NAC’s attention matters threatening solidarity of Alliance. Suggest that if situation worsens you may want to consult with UK as to whether they wish to invoke this Council procedure and, if so, whether you wish to support it. Have informed UK Perm Rep of this 1956 resolution.
Council agreed that if today’s meeting became known to the press they would be told merely that Council met to hear a report on situation [Page 598] in Cyprus. SecGen requested delegations to remain accessible in the event further emergency meetings are required as situation develops.
In view of possible further NAC action, request Department and all addressees to Paris USRO.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 25 Cyp/NATO. Secret; Flash. Received at 9:33 a.m. Passed to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, CIA, and the White House and repeated to Nicosia, Ankara, London, Athens, and Rome.↩
- Topol 847, December 2, instructed Finletter to coordinate his actions with those of the British NATO Representative if Turkey announced the withdrawal of some of its forces from NATO. (Ibid.)↩
- For text of the December 14, 1956, NAC resolution, see Department of State Bulletin, December 31, 1956, pp. 981–982.↩