THE CYPRUS SITUATION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00826A002900400001-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 10, 2002
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: November 23, 1967
• Content Type: IM

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OCI No. 1675/67
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Directorate of Intelligence
23 November 1967
The Cyprus Situation
(As of 4:00 PM EST)
1. The critical question remains whether Greece
or Turkey can be persuaded to take the first step in
order to avoid armed conflict. The essential problem
is that Turkey insists on seeing concrete evidence
that the Greeks will remove their illegal troops from
Cyprus before Turkey halts its military buildup. Greece,
on the other hand, argues that Turkish military pres-
sures must be reversed before the removal of troops
can begin.
2. The Greek government has sent its response
to the Turkish 5-point proposal presented to Greek
Foreign Minister Pipinelis yesterday. The Greeks
acknowledge their willingness to accept "in principle"
the withdrawal from Cyprus of all foreign forces,
other than those of the United Nations. This accept-
ance is a step forward, but the Greek note adds that
"it is an indispensable prerequisite that all measures
recently taken which are of a menacing and provocative
nature should cease and be recalled." King Constantine
also firmly stated to the US Ambassador that Greek ac-
tion on the removal of troops would have to be matched
by comparable Turkish de-escalation.
3. We do not know if this Greek response has
been transmitted to the Turkish Foreign Minister. The
Vance mission is now in Ankara, and plans to leave
tonight for Athens. Other diplomatic efforts are con-
tinuing in an attempt to persuade each of the govern-
ments to take some small step toward defusing the
crisis.
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5. It has just been learned, however, that the
Turkish government has decided to accept the offer of
good offices by NATO Secretary-General Brosio. Brosio
had previously told US officials that the one condi-
tion of his offer was that neither side initiate hostil-
ities during his efforts. If this condition was relayed
to, and accepted by the Turksk it would be an encourag-
ing indication that the Turkish government is willing
to delay military action against Cyprus.
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7. Pressures for military intervention continue
to be high in Turkey. Most Turkish papers reports a
strong pro-war mood among the Turkish people. The US
Embassy reports that even more educated and sophisti-
cated Turks dwell on the importance of Turkish national
honor, and believe that Turkey must teach the Greeks
a lesson. Anti-American demonstrators today stoned
the USIA building in Ankara, and the Vance mission had
to divert its landing to avoid a group of student
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the Turk is Navy has begun to take operational con-
trol of commercial vessels to transport landing craft,
and have already begun to load some of the commer-
cial ships. USDAO in Ankara comments that the ex-
pense associated with utilization of these ships is
another indication that Navy plans still envision large
scale amphibious operations. Turkish overflights of
Cyprus continued today.
9. The Greek government is disturbed about the
scheduled departure of a ship loaded with MAP equipment
from Piraeus to Turkey. They state that Greek opinion
cannot absorb this. The US has decided, however, that
in this delicate situation they cannot cancel a pre-
viously scheduled delivery.
10. Further information indicates that President
Makarios had decided that he cannot take the initiative
in sending a unilateral note urging restraint on all
parties and suggesting phased disarmament on the island.
His only suggested alternative was to have the UN Secre-
tary General call for a four-power conference to dis-
cuss demilitarization and other aspects of the problem.
Makarios will not suggest this to the Secretary-General
but would respond favorably if such an idea were put
forth.
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