781.00/9–2750: Telegram
The Ambassador in Greece (Peurifoy)1 to the Secretary of State
1055. My wife and I were received afternoon Sept 25 by Their Majesties at Tatoi. We expected remain only thirty minutes, but at their insistence stayed for hour and half.
After usual preliminaries, Queen launched into discussion of various Greek political leaders, some of whom she berated in strong terms, particularly Plastiras, Lambrakis, and Tsouderos. At that point I said that one of my first official acts after appointment as Amb was to request Tsouderos to remain in Govt. She stopped almost in mid-air and seemed taken aback. I then turned to King and told him that I understood Tsouderos was able and that ECA and Emb were pleased with his work as Coordination Min and that I thought that if the King had any doubts about Tsouderos but at same time recognized his [Page 417] ability, lie might wish to bring him into Govt rather than leave him outside. He pondered this for a moment and then turning to Queen said he thought I was absolutely right.
Both King and Queen indicated desire to work more closely with Emb and to pay more heed to its suggestions. There was then discussion concerning rights of constitutional monarchs and where they should draw line. I informed Their Majesties that I came to Greece with no preconceived prejudices and that I intended to support King and Queen because people of Greece had already spoken on subject and because I thought any revival of royalist issue would be harmful. I said that I thought that King Paul was a great symbol and one which we would endeavor to support. I assured him of my desire to work with both of them and also with Greek political leaders and that I hoped petty issues between them would be put aside as we all worked toward a stable govt for Greece. Queen commented that perhaps there had been mistakes in the past and that maybe the Americans had been right in urging a govt of the Center. This appears decided change for the better in their attitude.
King and Queen expressed wish for passage of law providing for elections on majority system. They felt, however, that this should not be done until there was an agreement between Govt leaders. Otherwise, Queen said, she was afraid that they would dissipate their strength and that Communists or leftists would hold theirs; and while no party would have majority, Communists would have their solid little bloc.
Atmosphere was extremely cordial throughout visit. I had impression that both King and Queen were making every effort to be affable.
- John E. Peurifoy, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Greece and concurrently Chief of the American Mission for Aid to Greece, arrived in Athens on September 22, presented his credentials to King Paul on September 25, and assumed charge of the Mission on September 26.↩