841.2368/8–447: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom
3396. For the Ambassador. Pls inform Bevin substance Athens 1275 Aug 2 (Deptel 3353 Aug 51) and Rome’s 2191 Aug 2 (Deptel 3350 Aug 52). You shd say we share grave apprehension Amer officials Greece and Italy re withdrawal Brit troops those countries, and earnestly hope UK Govt will give further consideration consequences this proposed action. As regards Greece, we feel especially strongly that troops shd not be withdrawn until after final consideration of Greek case by SC and GA and, following that, after realistic appraisal and full and frank exchange of views between US and UK Govts. At that time, proposal could be reexamined in light of circumstances then existing and decision taken in full awareness of future course US and UK action re Greek situation.
In case of Italy, we believe study shd be made by military of status our respective forces there before any decision reached. Our feeling is that fate of Italy and Trieste will depend in great measure upon attitude and actions US, UK and France in next few months, and we therefore feel our actions in this area must be weighed with this consideration in mind and carefully coordinated between us.
You shd tell Bevin we are much relieved to note his assurance that no change in Brit foreign policy is contemplated now and that we will be fully consulted before any such change in future. This assurance seems to us closely related to question of Brit troops in Greece and Italy.
- Not printed; it quoted telegrams 1275, August 2, and 1282, August 4, from Athens, pp. 276, 278.↩
- Not printed; it quoted telegrams 2191, August 2, and 2219, August 4, from Rome. It is anticipated that these two messages will be printed in volume iii .↩