868.00/7–2447: Telegram
The Ambassador in Greece (MacVeagh) to the Secretary of State
1210. Department’s telegram 1084, July 18. Following similar démarche by British Chargé I saw Acting Foreign Minister Pipinellis this morning and spoke to him as follows:
In opinion of US Government Greek Government would be well advised expedite screening of persons arrested in order release those not seriously implicated in any plot and bring those remaining in custody to trial soonest, full publicity being given to Charges made. US Government also feels Greek Government should refrain from further indiscriminate arrests or other unnecessarily drastic measures and endeavor mitigate inevitably bad impression created abroad by measures already taken.
[Page 261]Embassy has received many seemingly well-substantiated complaints to effect that recent arrests carried out in some instances in haphazard manner and persons of known anti-Communist views taken into custody. Many telegrams have also been received by Embassy describing deplorable living conditions of the 8,000 deportees on barren island of Caria. Am not in position, of course, personally to verify such complaints, but feel confident Greek Government will recognize importance of doing so and of taking corrective measures.
Recent arrests have led to unfavorable comment not only in American and British circles friendly to Greece but also in France. Here is paraphrase of telegram received from American Ambassador Paris:
[Here follows paraphrase.]
While US Government realizes that in taking such measures as may be necessary for security of state, Greek Government is responsible only to Greek people, it is confident that Greek Government will on its part also realize that manner in which such measures are taken, through its effect on public opinion abroad, cannot fail to concern Greece’s foreign friends now employed in doing their utmost to help her.
In reply, Pipinellis said Greek Government is fully aware of issues involved and is doing all it can both to screen detainees and provide for their welfare with rations, he claimed, above daily Athenian average. He said that at special insistence of both Prime Minister and Minister Justice (my telegram 1175, July 21) judges have already gone to island and day before yesterday 48 persons were released and returned Athens. Process, he added, continuing, and must continue, since obviously great numbers cannot be maintained long in exile at Government expense, in view condition of Greek finances. Believe top flight men of good will in Government actually sincere in efforts correct situation but to expect performance in accord with anything like western standards would be unrealistic.