Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume XXIX, Eastern Europe; Eastern Mediterranean, 1969–1972

404. Diplomatic Note From the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Government to the United States Government¹

Washington, undated.

In Moscow there is a serious concern over the new complication of the situation around Cyprus.

The matter concerns the unpermissible interference by the Greek Government into the internal affairs of the Republic of Cyprus and the attempts of that Government to force the Cyprus Government to give up independent policy.

The demands made by the Greek side February 11 on the Government of Makarios, including the demand that the Government of Cyprus be reorganized by way of including into it the supporters of the so-called “enozis,” are nothing but an overt ultimatum, an attempt to impose on the people of Cyprus decisions running counter to their lawful national interests. The Soviet Government which consistently comes out in support of the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus, deemed it necessary to warn Athens against interference into the internal affairs of Cyprus. It also addressed the Government of Turkey on this question.

It should be emphasized that the Soviet side cannot remain indifferent toward such a development of events which may still further aggravate the situation in Eastern Mediterranean where the situation is already complicated enough. In the belief that this would not serve the interests of the United States either, it has been decided in Moscow to address President Nixon on this question. We proceed from the fact that the U.S. has possibilities to exert a restraining influence on the Government of Greece in order to prevent a crisis situation around Cyprus.²

1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 493, Presidentʼs Trip Files, Dobrynin/Kissinger, 1972, Vol. 9. No classification marking. A notation on the note reads: “Delivered by Mr. Sokolov to Gen. Haig, 5:30 p.m., 2/15/1972.”
2. A reply to this note, delivered by Haig to Sokolov at 11:15 a.m., February 17, reads: “The President wishes to assure the Soviet leaders that the United States opposes any actions that would aggravate the situation in Cyprus or in that general region of the world. The efforts of the United States are designed to bring about a restoration of calm and a normalization of the situation. To this end it has endeavored to use its influence to urge restraint on all the parties concerned and will continue to do so.” (Ibid.)