357.AE/12–2350: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the United States Special Representative on the united Nations Special Committee on the Balkans (Patterson)1
1994. Balcom 400. Dept believes latest rash Cominform propaganda charging inter alia US and UK preparing Greece to attack Albania and Bulgaria spearheaded by Zachariades article Cominform Journal, Dec 8, seems have three gen objectives.
- 1.
- Briefing KKE on latest Cominform version contemporary Grk history. In view internal strife, denigration Siantos,2 newly announced militant party orientation, Zachariades rationalization essential as part efforts reorganize and strengthen KKE and possibly retain own position.
- 2.
- Propaganda device to counter defeat sustained in Grk-Yugo rapprochement and imputing hostile and aggressive character to event.
- 3.
- Most menacing is indirect threat to Greece. This inherent particular Zachariades statements cited Athens Embtel 1879, Dec. 12.3 Corollary aspects are Free Grk radio, Cominform radio, and press on theme Greece preparing for war and encouraging incidents on Albanian-Bulg frontiers: Resumption Grk-Yugo relations called “nothing but US imperialist plan for aggression” (Moscow Radio, Dec 7) and “step toward legal sanction of aggression” (Tirana Radio, Dec 5). Czech article Dec 9 in official Ital commie organ Unita citing Grk preparations “aggression” against Bulg and Albania.
Although Zachariades art cld presage Cominform attack on Greece, Dept has little corroborative evidence and inclined agree that, while this possibility exists and Sov buildup of Bulg mil potential continues, situation in gen is unchanged. Similar likelihood art cld provide excuse some other aggressive move short of war such as entry Russian troops Bulg “to guarantee her independence”. Obvious propaganda meant to sustain Albanian and Bulg popular support aggressive move against Greece or Yugo under pretext defense. Most probable short term object create further unsettled conditions and heighten tension [Page 443] in Balkans with resulting disintegrating effect on stability in Greece and Yugo.
Dept concerned possible effect on opinion some areas of constant reiteration these and similar charges in absence formal denial from some respected and informed source. Believe report similar UNSCOB’s July 18, 1950 statement4 denying previous Zachariades charges,5 somewhat reoriented, wld be effective this time. Dept believes statement shld emphasize deliberate efforts sabotage peace by making accusations known to be untrue in order create atmosphere conducive to hostilities. Furthermore fact of sanction of and participation in this propaganda by Cominform states in itself constitutes unjustified threat to Greece and cannot but endanger peace in Balkans. If you and Emb concur Dept strongly suggests that UNSCOB immed report these threats to SyG.