US Consul General Taylor Belcher writing to the Secretary of the State:
Greek Cypriots generally believe Archbishop will refuse accept present British proposals RE base area or anything near 120 square miles. He is prepared give somewhat on area, with long lease on remainder. Premise is that it is politically impossible for his to face further accusations of “concessions” or “sell out” to Britain for Grivas, extreme rightists and AKEL. He must return to Cyprus with substantial concessions from British. Otherwise he would be in untenable position. Our contacts say he will prefer run risks involved in indefinite postponement independence rather than give in. Advisers to Archbishop such as George Chryssafinis state privately they believe Makarios should have accepted British terms, but he has now boxed himself with public statements leaving little room for maneuver.