Office of the Historian

765.68/7–2145

Memorandum of Conversation, by the Assistant Chief of the Division of Near Eastern Affairs (Kohler)

[Washington,] July 25, 1945.
Participants: The Greek Ambassador
Mr. Henderson
Mr. Kohler

The Greek Ambassador called at his request to discuss pending matters.

We took occasion to refer to our conversation of July 21 regarding the possible reestablishment of relations between Greece and Italy and to communicate to him the substance of the following portions of the Department’s memorandum of July 2450 on this subject:

  • “(1 We would welcome the reestablishment of friendly relations between Greece and Italy;
  • (2 We understand and agree that Greek reparations claims would be unaffected by such action;
  • (3 We cannot encourage the Greek Government to secure prior assurances from the Italian Government as regards the Dodecanese [Page 330] Islands and Northern Epirus. These matters will require settlement during the peace discussions at which time all interested parties will be given full opportunity to present their legitimate claims. Any present approach to the Italian Government on the lines proposed with respect to Northern Epirus would, in the opinion of this Government, be inappropriate and should be discouraged.”

The Ambassador expressed his appreciation for the statement of our views.

  1. Not printed: its contents were substantially the same as set forth here. This information was transmitted also to Rome and Athens on July 28 in telegrams 1265 and 753, respectively.↩