781.00/6–551: Telegram
The Ambassador in Greece (Peurifoy) to the Department of State
priority
4293. I opened my two hour conversation with Papagos yesterday by telling him that I had not come to exert any pressure but to tell him as a friend how much my govt and I personally were concerned [Page 477] at the possible effect his resignation might have outside of Greece. I said that abroad in gen only the names of three Grks were known: The King because he was the King, Venizelos as son of his father, and Papagos because of reputation he had won for himself. I referred to high regard that Gen, Marshall, Gen. Eisenhower and Adm. Carney had for Papagos’ abilities. It seemed to me that the Marshal’s resignation was a great blow to Greece at time when some formal security arrangement for his country was being discussed. I sincerely hoped that some formula cld be found whereby his services cld continue to be utilized.
Papagos then related course his disagreement with King starting from some time back and citing many instances that the Emb had reported on at time such as Adm. Toumbas incident, Katramatos affair, appointment Potamianos and culminating in anti-Papagos activities reported by Gen. Ketseas from Washington. He stressed that as a private citizen Metaxas cld of course say anything he wished about Papagos without arousing the latter’s concern but as close adviser to Count Metaxas’ words and deeds cld not fail to affect Papagos. The Marshal said that King chose to disagree with him about appointments to the military household. Papagos had no intention of dictating these appointments to King and if asked wld gladly have furnished him long list of suitable candidates. When however the King picked people for military household posts whose honesty and integrity were doubted by Marshal the latter felt it his duty so to inform King. Contemplated appointment of Gen. Ventiris was opposed because it was entirely against regulations to appoint an officer on the inactive list to such a position and because he was convinced that this choice was dictated solely by the Palace’s close connections with Ventiris brother and Pipinelis. He then returned to lengthy expose his objections to Metaxas making clear that none of other sources of disagreement was as important as this. He added significantly that if King had told him at their mtg his intention to abolish political bureau of palace his resignation need never have occurred.
His version of his conversation with King differed considerably from the latter’s. He stated that King had not attempted to persuade him to stay on but instead had queried him angrily as to why he had submitted his resignation to govt and not directly and in first instance to King. In other words, Marshal seemed to feel that King had provided no opportunity for arriving at mutual understanding. Truth is probably that two stubborn proud men met head on and neither wld retreat.
Marshal said he saw no way he cld come back to resume his duties as C-in-C. He thought it was best to leave situation as it existed except that he considered it mistake for King to assume post of [Page 478] C-in-C. In his opinion post shld be abolished and Grigoropoulos shld hold top job as Chief of Staff Natl Def. In reply my question, he stated that he considered Grigoropoulos, Tsakalotas and Kitrilakis as able and capable officers but felt latter shld not be subordinate to Tsakalotas and might be made Dep Chief of Staff Natl Def. I told him that Grigoropoulos had recently informed me all three officers anxious that Papagos return and willing step down to facilitate this. He was obviously pleased this manifestation their regard but it did not alter his fundamental position.
In concluding visit I stated that I was extremely sorry that he felt no way cld be found to reconcile him and the King and thus make his return to C-in-C post possible. We discussed briefly necessity my issuing some statement and agreed on gen lines of looking to future and expressing confidence in capable officers now at head of Grk armed forces.
Door seemed to be closed to any other developments until last night’s announcement resignation Palace entourage.1 I now feel that some possibility of renewed effort exists. I have seen PriMin this morning who tells me King will assent to calling Papagos and discussing again question with PriMin and me present. King has also told Venizelos he intends announce today appointment Michael Pesmazoglou as head Palace Secretariat. Venizelos says this appointment shld be helpful in persuading Papagos return as latter has high regard for projected appointee.
- Peurifoy had informed the Secretary of State in telegram 4288, priority from Athens, June 5, that “For what appears to have been a dramatic gesture, and perhaps little else, palace announced shortly after midnight that entire court from Grand Marshal Levides to palace veterinarian Alexiou had placed their resignations at disposal of King in view ‘rumors’ Papagos’ resignation due hostile attitude court circles and in order ‘second King in his great patriotic work’.” Peurifoy added that the initial reaction of most Greek observers was not to take the the matter very seriously “believing King may merely refuse resignations and thus in effect confirm court entourage their positions. Some, however feel these pro forma resignations might conceivably provide basis for reconciliation Papagos and court.” (781.00/6–551)↩