868.00/5–1047: Telegram
The Ambassador in Greece (MacVeagh) to the Secretary of State
669. Summary lead editorial Messager d’Athenes May 10 entitled Greece and American Proposal. Government circles observe that if [Page 165] US amnesty proposal made on behalf of UN it violates paragraph 7 article 2 of charter and if made solely on US initiative it is flagrant contradiction of Secretary Marshall’s statements that US does not intend interfere in internal Greek affairs. Proposal of supervised amnesty is negation of publicly announced principles to save mere form of those principles. Recourse made to devious methods, viz., Greece herself should request supervision but this will not improve situation for there is no charter and no faith in international organization which can withstand proof that in fact, great powers through pressure on smaller states can undermine international law. Greece is again scapegoat of power politics and object of bargains at her expense.
In Geneva they are endeavouring conceal that which investigation commission was primarily charged to establish. They seek means to avoid placing too much blame on northern neighbors and instead of boldly forcing latter to renounce criminal tactics they speak of imposing on Greece commission which would guarantee to those Greeks who serve foreign cause, the same whose intentions have been denounced by President Truman, equal rights with those who are now honored for serving fatherland. To speak frankly, it is question of ensuring that Russia does not destroy with one veto all work of investigation commission.
Greek Government alone in Balkans has always allowed diplomatic representatives of friendly powers complete freedom observe public life, but control commission supervising matters within purview sovereign rights of free country is something new. Special law would be necessary according competent authorities. Even if Parliament consented it would be very difficult, perhaps impossible reconcile authority of such commission with constitution.
It is rumored that Communist chieftains now faced with failure revolutionary attempt, seek method save followers from final disaster and for future revolts, in short to win a new “Varkiza”.1 According these rumors Communists constantly assure Mr. MacVeagh they will accept amnesty which explains ardor with which American Ambassador supports amnesty and has recommended it to his Government. It is unbelievable that man who knows Greece and Greeks so well as MacVeagh and who loves them so deeply, could fall into same error as Macmillan, Leeper2 and other authors of Varkiza. Of that agreement one can truly say it was more than crime. It was fundamental [Page 166] error. It was mistake through which Communism amnestied for December rebellion achieved respite necessary to organize new revolt.3
Sent Department; repeated Geneva for Ethridge.
- For the text of the Varkiza Agreement, signed at Athens on February 12, 1945, by representatives of the Greek Government and of the EAM, see Foreign Relations, 1945, vol. viii, p. 109.↩
- Harold Macmillan, British Minister Resident, Allied Force Headquarters, Mediterranean; and Sir Reginald W. A. Leeper, British Ambassador in Greece.↩
- According to telegram 670, May 10, 9 p. m., from Athens, on inquiry from Ambassador MacVeagh, Foreign Minister Tsaldaris denied that the editorial in the Messager d’Athénes represented official Greek views. The Ambassador pointed out to the Department, however, that the newspaper was subsidized by the Greek Government and was generally considered an organ of the Foreign Office (868.00/5–1047).↩