CYPRUS SITUATION REPORT # 15

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06907719
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: July 13, 2023
• Document Release Date: March 2, 2022
• Case Number: F-2019-02114
• Publication Date: August 19, 1974

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_.-TOP-SECKFT
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
August 19; 1974 *
INTELLT0ENaE MEMORANDUM
CYPRUS
Situation Report Number 15.
(As of 1700 EDT)
(All times cited are Nicosia time, unless other-
wise specified.)
STATUS OF TBE US EMBASSY IN NICOSIA
1. as
of noon (EDT) the situation at the embassy-is under
control. Crowds are no longer evident anywhere in
town since President derides banned public meetings.
2. remains skeptical, however, over
the willingness of the Greek National Guard and Cypriot
police to take effective measures to stop any new dem-
onstrations. This skepticism is based on the fact that
they did not stop.the first demonstration and On'indiCations
that the first attack was clearly designed to kill
Ambassador Davies. The majority of the gunfire during
the first attack was directed at the ambassador's
office and residence,
3. the demonstrators
may have other targets. The police have identified some
of the demonstrators as members of.EOKA-B, a-right-wing
terrorist group that favors union with Greece.
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4. The embassy's staff is considering evacuation
to an old American compound in the city where they
would regroup for a UN escorted-convoy'to one of the
British bases.
5. Ambassador L. Dean Brown, a former ambassador
to Jordan, is flying to Cyprus to take charge of.the
embassy.
MILITARY SHAKEUP IN GREECE
6. In .a move apparently designed to further
consolidate its.position, the Karamanlis government
today reshuffled the armed forces high command,.
which had been assoCiated.with the Previous military
regime and its Cyprus policy. 'Armed forces ehief.
General Gregorios_Bonanos. and army chief. General'.
Andreas Galatsanos- were sacked as were several other
senior military officials. According to the.US
embassy in. Athens, Greek Defense. Minister Averbff
has reportedly named retired General Dionysios ArbouziS,
who commanded the Greek army contingent'in Korea, as
the new armed forces chief: Averoff'also stated that.
Lt. General Devoe, who commanded the third army corps
and reportedly.played an'instrumental role 'in the
return to civilian rule, is ,also moving up,. presumably.
to become army chief. A press report, however, states
that Davos has 'been named as armed forces, chief.
Averoff indicated that the navy and. air force leadership,
which had not been as cloSely.associated'with the
previous military regimes, would not be affected by
the changes.. He also mentioned that former strongman
General Ioannides would not be affected:
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PEACE TALK PROSPECTS
7. The Turkish deputy chief of mission (DCM)
in Nicosia informed the US embassy today that Turkey
still hopes to get Greece back to the conference table
in Geneva, but the Turkish official admitted that
such a development is unlikely. In response to a:
question concerning Ankara's attitude if Greece refuses
to negotiate, the DCM speculated that the Turkish Army
would remain in place on Cyprus with Turkish authorities
running their portion of the island "as if it were an-
other province, of Turkey." The Turkish DCM also admitted
that it would be, difficult to get the Turkish-Army to
withdraw from any territory prior to a political settle-
ment. He also thinks that it is highly unlikely that
Ankara would consider reverting to the multi-canton
proposal earlier floated at Geneva. In general, he
was, pessimistic over the prospects .for a political
zettlement,any time in the near future.
8. The Turkish embassy official also stated that
Cypriot Nice President Denktash will return to 'the is-
land today to seek an early meeting with President
Clerides'to.work out details on running Cyprus. Turkey
will permit Denktash to discuss only immediate.isues
� such as handling prisoner exchanges and refugees, but
he will not be permitted to address broader political
questions.
9. According to the French news service, Cypriot
President Clerides said today that he would not nego-
tiate over Cyprus under any kind of ultimatum. Clerides,
speaking at a press conference held prior to the attack
on the US embassy, said that the current situation cre-
ated by the Turkish military moves could not be accepted
as the basis for negotiations. Clerides also said that nego-
tiations could take place in a "propitious" atmosphere if
such problems as the return of refugees and displaced persons
could be solved. He also accused Turkish forces of "atrocities"
in occupied regions, but balanced this statement by
praising the commander of Turkish forces in Famagusta
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and by condemning the attack of Greek Cypriotirregulers-
against a Turkish Cypriot village.
GREEKSOVIET TIES
10. The US embassy in Athens reported today that
Greek ministry of foreign affairs sources on August 17
denied reports that negotiations are. under way-in'MoscoW
on a military agreement between Greece and the USSR, The
ministry sources stated that such reports "do not corres-
pond to reality." The denial Was-prompted-by'a front,-
page story in a prominent-Athens.neWspaper, It quoted
a high-ranking official of the Soviet embassy in Athens
as stating that inquiries. on the matter should be addressed
to the Greek embassy in..Moscow.
11. Reports of Soviet-Greek military nooperation have
surfaced several'tiMes-during the Cyprus crisis but-have
never been confirmed. It is possible that the Greek gov-
ernment may be floating such reporte in order to put addi-
tional pressure on Turkey and: the US,. Elements of the
Greek left could also be responsible forlfloating:tha
story to win support for improved Soviet-Greek relations:
-STATUS .OF UN FORCES '
12. Concern about the continuing military action on
Cyprus and the threat it poses.tothe.safety of the ,UN'
peacekeeping forces.there may cause another reconsidera,
otion by the Security Council of the force's operating
mandate. The UN troops have been consistently hampered
from fulfilling even their. Minimum humanitarian responsi-
bilities not only by Turkish refusal to allow them
accees. to Turkish-held areas, but also by' the indecisive-
ness and timidity of.top UN officials in New York, most
notably Secretary General Waldheim.
13. A resolution sponsored by Austria, among other
countries, and passed by the Council last Thursday high-
lighted the membership's concern for the.safety.of UN-
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ITALY
ALBANIA
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LIBYA
arnaca
Famagusta
CYPRUS
UK Sovereign base area
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troops, particularly in light of the napalming by Turkish
aircraft of a clearly marked UN vehicle, an action which
claimed the lives of 3 Austrian soldiers. The Canadians
have now reiterated their intention to press for another
review of UNFICYP's mandate. They are _questioning 'whether
such a review would allow any kind of role. for a -
peacekeeping force if the preserttpartition of the island
remains in effect.
14. The Soviets would undoubtedly welcome recon-
sideration.of this contentious issue and might possibly
hope to use the occasion to gain the inClusion of some
of their own allies on the force. The Turks, who have
argued throughout the conflict that UNFICYP is not
playing an unbiased role and has, in fact, abandoned
the Turkish Cypriots to the Greek forces, would also
likely insist on inclusion in the force of contingents
from Moslem countries. The Turkish foreign ministry
has already been soliciting troop contributions from
some of its Moslem allies.
TURKEY EASES.MARTIAL LAW
15.. The Turkish Council of Ministers today lifted
martial law in four provinces, all of which are in the
western and southern parts of the country.
MILITARY SITUATION
16. Turkish units have not advanced today. A press
report from Cyprus indicates that the Turks have rein-
forced their line southwest of.Tymbou airfield but have
not attempted to move westward toward the Nicosia-
Limassol7. road or south toward Larnaca.
MAINLAND MILITARY ACTIVITIES
17.
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_TCLP--BECRrf
US Navy officials at Souda Bay in Crete
report sighting five commercial ferries with troops
and tanks in Souda Bay on the evening of August 18.
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