Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XXXIII, Organization and Management of Foreign Policy; United Nations

471. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Greece¹

Washington, February 28, 1964, 8:12 p.m.

979. Ref: Athens’ 1311.² Greek Ambassador telephoned Dept this morning on instructions to report that GOG much upset by Amb. Stevenson’s action yesterday in SC in presenting request that Denktash be heard. This had made painful impression on public opinion in Greece. GOG earnestly requested that US do nothing more to give Denktash status and specifically that we not try to change his position of being invited to speak to Council as an individual under provisions Rule 39.³ We replied that we did not anticipate taking any action beyond that already taken.

Dept officer expressed surprise at GOG surprise, pointing out from beginning we had made plain to all parties, including Cypriots, that any Security Council session on Cyprus problem must hear representatives both communities. Ambassador admitted this but said trouble was we had taken initiative.

US position on hearing for Denktash outlined Deptel 2237 to USUN (rptd Athens 925, Ankara 834).⁴ USUN authorized support any move to seat Turk Cypriot. Our support for hearing Turk Cypriot in no way implies that USG does not acknowledge existence of GOC or Kyprianou as representative of that state.

At opening of meeting February 27, SC President said he had request from Turkish del that Council hear Denktash, “Representative of Turk Cypriot Community.” Kyprianou, Soviet and Czech dels all spoke in opposition. Moroccan del then suggested Denktash be heard under Rule 39 SC Rules Procedure. When SC President appeared not to take this as formal proposal Stevenson said:

“I thought the motion had been made by the Representative of Morocco. If it has not, in order to facilitate the question before us I would move that the Council invite Mr. Denktash to present his views before the Council in accordance with Rule 39 of the Provisional Rules of Procedure.”

Moroccan Rep confirmed that his suggestion intended as formal proposal. Soviet del continued try obfuscate issue by arguing that, in light Moroccan proposal that Denktash be seated as an individual, Sovs concluded that request he be heard as “Representative of Turkish community” had been declined. Stevenson then said:

“I participate in this procedural debate with reluctance and with the hope that we can proceed rapidly with the business before the Council. I must say, however, that I was surprised by conclusion of Representative of Soviet Union that the Council had declined request of Representative of Turkey. No such decision has been made. There is only one proposal that has been made, and that is proposal of Representative of Morocco to invite Representative of Turkish Community in Cyprus to address Council under Rule 39. A motion has been made to that effect; it takes priority over all other matters, and until disposed of it is not appropriate to discuss any further matter. I would suggest, therefore, that if members of Council share my view that it is important and urgent that we attend to the substantive business before the Council, we can dispose of this procedural point with expedition.”

Moroccan proposal later approved without vote when SC Pres said if he heard no further objection he would consider proposal adopted.

While Dept recognized that hearing for Turk Cypriot would annoy GOG, and while we did not want take lead on debate in this issue, we did feel would be only fair and appropriate for Denktash to be heard. Under Secretary Ball had made clear to Makarios in Nicosia that in any debate in SC a Turk Cypriot would undoubtedly be heard. Article 39 provides that Council may invite persons it considers competent to supply information in matters which Council has under consideration. As Embassy aware Kyprianou, though participating in debate as GOC representative, is presenting strictly Greek Cypriot case. Since Cyprus dispute is essentially one between two communities, it only reasonable that second community be given opportunity express its views.

FYI. Through Turk UN del we have urged that Denktash be calm and dispassionate in his remarks. End FYI.

Rusk

1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, POL 23–8 CYP. Confidential; Immediate. Drafted by John Jernegan (NEA) and Moffitt, cleared in IO and UNP, and approved by Jernegan. Repeated to New York, Ankara, and Nicosia.
2. Dated January 28; it reported on Greek unhappiness with U.S. efforts to secure Denktash’s right to speak before the Security Council. (Ibid.)
3. A reference to Article 39 of the UN Charter that outlines the role of the Security Council.
4. Dated February 17; it instructed the Mission to the United Nations to vote in favor of seating a Turkish Cypriot delegation for the Security Council debate. (National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, POL 23–8 CYP)