“Karamanlis-Makarios are drawing a new line in Cypriot,” the front page of Kathimerini reported on November 30, 1974. junta, in order to overthrow Makarios III, the archbishop managed to flee abroad. Before returning to Cyprus, he passes through Athens, where he stops for several days and, after speaking before the Constitution, talks with the newly elected Prime Minister Konstantinos Karamanlis on the Cyprus issue.

“The decisive negotiations, in which the foundations will be laid for the solution of the Cyprus problem and which will decide the future of Greek-Turkish as well as Greek-allied relations, begin today at 11 am between the Greek and the Greek Cypriot leadership. In this light, the negotiations contain an element of criticality, given that the Cyprus question and related issues are now going through a particularly delicate phase. Negotiations will take place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” the newspaper reports and continues: “[…] Mr. Makarios stated that: he accepts negotiations with the Turks, but on equal terms: “I offer an olive branch to the neighboring Turks as well. However, I refuse to offer land and water, symbols of humiliation and submission.” He accepts the holding of “a common inter-party line both in Athens and in Nicosia.” It recognizes the right of the Turkish Cypriots to self-determination, but excludes the forced displacement of the population or the creation of conditions for the partition of Cyprus.

The next day, the newspaper reported on Turkey’s and its National Security Council’s reaction to the return of Makarios: “The representative of the Council stated that the Plenary would recommend to the government the extension of Martial Law” in the light of recent developments. it may turn up the volume.” […] Turkey, meanwhile, claims that Makarios has always been an obstacle to resolving the Cyprus problem. And the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr. Denktash, said that his negotiations with Mr. Clerides would be broken if Makarios returned.”