Foreign Relations of the United States, 1947, The Near East and Africa, Volume V

868.00/5–1047: Telegram

The Ambassador in Greece (MacVeagh) to the Secretary of State

confidential

Athens, May 10, 1947—1 p. m.

674. Mr. Maximos has asked me to convey the following message drafted by him: Prime Minister has called my attention to report appearing in nearly all papers here today as follows (from bulletin of USIS March [May] 8, 1947): “On criticisms, in connection with proposed US aid to Greece and Turkey, that Greek Government is not a democracy, Secretary commented that US does not consider that this Government is all that is desired, but he hoped it would develop into what is desired.”¹

In expressing again deepest gratitude and appreciation of Greek Government for interest shown by US to Greece, Prime Minister stated that Greek Government which is democratic by its provenance, and which in midst of most difficult conditions has always followed democratic methods, stresses that close cooperation with US in spirit of full mutual confidence is indispensable under present conditions and thinks that above statement is of nature to diminish its prestige and authority for fulfillment of task which US Government is also looking forward to. Prime Minister, therefore, hopes that the US Government will be good enough to provide some clarification of its views.²

MacVeagh

1. Remarks of this tenor were made by Secretary Marshall at his press and radio news conference on May 7. The pertinent section of the memorandum of the conference stated: “A correspondent asked if the State Department had any comment on the insistent criticism of the Administration’s program for Greece and Turkey in both the Senate and the House debate where it had been stated that this country was a democracy supporting Greece, a government of reactionaries. Mr. Marshall stated that we considered that the present government of Greece was not all that we would like to see it, and we hoped it would develop a form of government more in accord with our own views.”
2. In telegram 687, May 12, from Athens, Ambassador MacVeagh commented further that the Prime Minister “personally understands very well that Secretary made declaration in good cause vital to Greece, but points out that connection of declaration with charges that Greek Government not ‘democratic’ has caused crop of rumors re US lack of confidence in him and forthcoming intervention in Greek political affairs. Rumors include US intention force out present government.” (868.00/5–1247)