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

868.00/8–747

Memorandum by the Acting Director of the Office of Near Eastern and African Affairs (Villard) to the Secretary of State

secret

[Washington,] August 8, 1947.

discussion

When Mr. Tsaldaris, Greek Foreign Minister, came to this country recently, it was with the express understanding that his trip was connected only with the Greek case in the Security Council. He said that he would make no public statement in this country except in accord with our wishes and that he did not intend to come to Washington for “economic talks” with the U.S. Government but would come to Washington only if you should invite him to make a personal call. In his many talks with government officials he has been told that primary responsibility for decisions concerning the allocation of our economic and military aid, including decisions on the size of Greek armed forces, will be made in Greece by Mr. Griswold and our Ambassador who will refer policy matters to the Department only when they think necessary. It is our belief that Mr. Tsaldaris, in pressing you for some statement which he can take back to his people concerning American policy toward Greece, is attempting to exploit his talks with you for his own political position and as a step in his obvious desire to become Prime Minister. The attached memorandum¹ which Mr. Tsaldaris left with you yesterday, Tab A, is merely a copy of a request which the Greek Government intends to deliver to Ambassador MacVeagh and Mr. Griswold in Athens requesting approval of an increase in Greek armed forces and requires no answer at this time by the Department. Consideration will be given to it when it is referred to the Department with the recommendations of the American Embassy and the American Aid Mission. Our reply can then be communicated to the Greek Government through the regular channels in Athens.

Mr. Tsaldaris is reluctant to consider any broadening of the Government to include the one Parliamentary opposition party not now in the coalition cabinet, even though he is aware of our feeling that such a move in this critical time would demonstrate to the world the ability of Greek political leaders to submerge personal differences in the face of a threat to Greek independence.

Reports from Athens indicate that a cabinet crisis is threatened because of the rumored withdrawal of British troops and American refusal to approve increases in Greek armed forces. It is possible that some Greek politicians hope to win U.S. approval for diverting large amounts of our economic aid to military purposes by the threat of the resignation of the Government.

recommendations

1. As American policy toward Greece is well known and has been frequently stated, there appears to be no necessity for you to accede to Mr. Tsaldaris’ request for a further statement at this time.

2. No reply is necessary to Mr. Tsaldaris’ request for approved increases in the Greek armed forces, as these matters are being considered by the competent U.S. authorities in Greece and will be subject to later decision.

3. A statement along the lines of the attached draft, Tab B,² would be most helpful if issued immediately as an indication that the United States expects Greek political leaders to cooperate to the fullest extent with us in carrying out our aid program which would be seriously jeopardized by a Greek cabinet crisis at this critical juncture.

concurrences

A/A—Mr. Armour

1. Not printed.
2. It stated: “In the face of the present threat to the independence and integrity of the Greek nation, I wish to reaffirm the hopes expressed in my statement to the press on February 14, 1947 for the maximum unity of effort and participation in Greek public life of all loyal elements of the Greek people. I strongly believe in its prime necessity in this emergency. Only by working together loyally and by sacrificing party interests in the common cause can the Greek people enable the American Aid Mission to furnish effective assistance in the common aim of reconstructing a strong, independent, prosperous Greece.” According to a marginal notation by Mr. Baxter on a memorandum of August 12 by Mr. Reams to Mr. Henderson, the statement was not made (868.00/8–747).