868.00/7–2445: Telegram
No. 1068
The Ambassador in Greece
(MacVeagh) to the
Acting Secretary of
State1
746. Greek FonMin2 returned Sunday July 22 and resigned next day, yesterday. According to PriMin,3 whom I saw last evening, Sofianopoulos said he is convinced after talking with Molotov that only hope of achieving desired relations Russia would be set up here political govt representative of all parties (this coincides new demands communist-controlled EAM, see my despatch 1336, July 164). [Page 1047] He suggested a cabinet apportioned in thirds to left, center, right, respectively. PriMin replied unconvinced such govt would prove viable existing circumstances. Pointed out already tried unsuccessfully by Papandreou. Added repeated conferences so far indicate party leaders unable get together. Subsequently, British Chargé5 told me after consulting Regent that latter stated question change of govt “does not arise”.
This morning Sofianopoulos issued statement press and called on me confirming attitude as above. Appeared very cocky and on my remarking that one of royalist leaders had just told me a political govt is “impossible”, replied “that depends on who would be its chief”, apparently meaning himself. Has little numerical following at present but would constitute a useful acquisition to such a group as EAM, hitherto lacking outstanding personalities.
Fact resignation Russian-inspired and coincides with Potsdam discussions and yesterday’s threatening Yugoslav note (my telegram 742, July 236) suggests possibility Russia intending base refusal join supervise elections on alleged inability nonrepresentative govt control “chaotic” situation and prepare tests fairly.