OPINION

April 27, 1957

GREECE-TURKEY: New York, 27 – According to sources in Washington today, the already strained relations between Greece and Turkey have now worsened to the point where the US government feels compelled to intervene. Describing the situation as dangerous, the newspaper Journal American writes, «The US is working on the sidelines to avert a war between Greece and Turkey.» A State Department official refused to comment but did not deny that the deterioration in Greek-Turkish relations was a matter of concern to the US at a time when it was struggling with the Suez problem and the impact of events in Jordan. According to Western diplomatic circles in Washington, the US government is concerned about Turkey’s stance and its threats to recall its ambassador in Athens. Washington fears that the situation could jeopardize peace in the eastern Mediterranean. The Turks viewed the warm welcome given in Athens to Cypriot Archbishop Makarios as a provocation and sent a protest to Athens which was immediately rejected. Meanwhile, the Greek government has made it clear that it does not intend to make concessions and that any further provocation on the part of Turkey will receive a similar response.

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