Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, The Near East and Africa, Volume V

781.00/6–2551: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Greece ¹

secret

Washington , June 25, 1951—7 p. m.

5141. Dept concurs in gen with analysis and course action outlined Embtel 4396.² Dept has at all times recognized importance vigorous US effort find solution Papagos affair and necessity protecting GAF from traditional Grk polit manipulation. Dept has never had any reservation whatever on this point. It was at all times Dept’s intent and desire Emb shld make forceful presentation US views. On basis Emb reports and survey Grk press reaction Dept has concluded serious damage US prestige, of which Dept apprehensive, has not in fact occurred. Dept’s apprehensions doubtless influenced by prominent manner events featured by US press and recollection reaction Grk public and press to other past US actions taken in Grk interest.

Dept concurs vigorous US action has undoubtedly given pause any who may contemplate seeking control Grk Armed Forces for their own ends. Dept tends believe Papagos affair transcends question personalities and probably reflects contest for control GAF which have traditionally been major and sometimes controlling factor in balance polit power in Greece. Papagos incident may well disclose basic feeling insecurity on part Palace as well as Palace conviction acceptable measure control GAF indispensable maintenance its position. Fact Papagos obviously not adequately responsive Palace direction and evidence efforts strengthen Ventiris clique (Embtel 4566)³ seem lend support this thesis. Moreover, Papagos, as Comdr-in-Chief, was probably one most powerful polit factors in Greece. We have impression that for this reason neither Palace, Venizelos, nor any other important polit leader ardently desired restore Papagos. Inasmuch as full details forces at play will, by their nature, probably be only slowly revealed, we doubt foregoing analysis this para can be tested or implications Papagos affair fully understood at this moment.

Dept accepts Emb view US shld maintain position timing new elections question for decision by Grks. However, Dept tends consider question of type election system employed as one basic issues governing polit, social, econ progress in Greece and consequently cardinal factor determining ultimate success US aid program. Greece cannot long bear burden proportional representation in addition other handicaps. Improvement govt stability must of course be regarded as evolutionary process involving, among other things, education Grk public and leaders. However, we find it difficult anticipate situation in which Grk Parl elected under proportional system wld advert to majority system without strong encouragement. …

Dept notes Grk leaders have reached virtual agreement re type proportional system to be utilized (Embtel 4525).³ System, if adopted, will represent considerable progress. Nevertheless, if any possibility exists majority system cld be made acceptable to Grk leaders we wld be inclined think Emb wld be justified in giving strongest encouragement such tendencies in line policy Emb has fol in this field. Some convincing public gesture by Papagos establishing beyond doubt his intention not participate forthcoming elections might contribute materially this regard. Moreover, if majority system cld be made more attractive by necessary action make next Parl revisionary, we wld find much merit in such idea both from legis as well polit point view, Dept recognizes consolidated parties created by majority system wld be subject initially various internal contradictions. We wld tend regard this as evolutionary and more than compensated for by establishment majority system pattern. Dept does not nourish high hopes such situation will materialize.

On basis excellent Emb reports this subj Dept under impression substantial agreement exists between Emb and Dept re foregoing.

Emb comments invited.⁴

Acheson

1. Drafted by Anschuetz, cleared by Rountree.
2. Supra.
3. Not printed.
3. Not printed.
4. In telegram 4673 from Athens, June 28, Peurifoy expressed his great appreciation for the comments in the source text. He expressed concurrence with the Department’s analysis of the Papagos affair and current Greek political situation and expressed the belief that the immediate repercussions of the Papagos affair “are safely over.” The Ambassador also promised to continue advocacy of a majority system “and shall certainly take advantage of any shift in party strategies which might make its immed adoption feasible.” (781.00/6–2851)