356. Editorial Note

On July 29, the British Parliament enacted a bill empowering the Government of the United Kingdom to grant independence to Cyprus. The Republic of Cyprus came into existence on August 16 with the signature in Nicosia of the Cypriot constitution by representatives of the United Kingdom, Greece, Turkey, and Cyprus. A treaty of alliance among Greece, Turkey, and Cyprus was signed the same day together with a Treaty of Guarantees and a Treaty of Establishment signed by the United Kingdom, Greece, Turkey, and Cyprus. The Governments of the United Kingdom and Cyprus also exchanged notes outlining their agreement on the future of British bases on the island. For texts of these treaties, see Cyprus, Cmd. 1093 (London, 1960) and Treaty Concerning the Establishment of the Republic of Cyprus, Cmd. 1252 (London, 1960).

The United States recognized the new Republic on August 16 and announced that the Consulate General was being raised to the status of Embassy effective that date. L. Douglas Heck was appointed charge d’Affaires ad interim. Simultaneously, President Eisenhower nominated Fraser Wilkins as Ambassador to Cyprus. Wilkins’ nomination was confirmed by the Senate on August 27. The new Ambassador arrived in Cyprus on September 16 and presented his credentials to President Makarios on September 19.