Page 39 unrealistic to insist on Bulgarian compliance with the more general articles of the Peace Treaty which diplomatic action by the Western Powers has so far failed to enforce.
15.
(iv) Cyprus
Communist activity in Cyprus is able to profit from the desire of the Greek population of the island for union with Greece. The ultimate object of the communists is to impede or deny the use of the island for strategic purposes. It is known that the United States Government are concerned at communist activity on the island. In any general settlement our position must be made clear.
16.
(v) Turkey
Cessation of Soviet pressure on Greece might be accompanied by the renewal of pressure on Turkey for the cession of bases on the Straits, together with a revival of claims on the north-eastern provinces of Turkey. Turkish public opinion is apprehensive, particularly in view of the omission of Turkey from the Atlantic Pact, although they have the United States' and our guarantees. We may see some intensificatio of the war of nerves against Turkey.
17.
Any general settlement in the Balkans would require a Soviet guarantee that no further pressure on Turkey would be exerted.
18.
(vi) General
It will be noted that in the foregoing paragraphs optimum demands on the Soviet Government have been formulated. It would be a matter for discussion with the United States representatives what our minimum requirements would be in each of the areas mentioned above.
Foreign Office, S.W.1.,
16th May, 1949.
E.B.
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