Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Eastern Europe; Soviet Union; Eastern Mediterranean, Volume VIII

760.5/7–254: Telegram

No. 348
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Greece¹

top secret
priority

Washington, July 2, 1954—7 p.m.

20. Italian Ambassador called on Merchant July 2 under instructions leaving memorandum² substance follows:

Athens meeting on Balkan Pact³ might be concluded before July 5 with full agreement on final text. Text might be presented to NAC prior to meeting Foreign Ministers Greece, Turkey and Yugoslavia in Belgrade between July 12 and 18. This would mean NAC discussion would occur at most sensitive time of Trieste negotiations, compelling Italy take unfavorable position on Balkan Alliance, thus having bad effect for Trieste negotiations and general relations amongst NATO countries. Italy feels it unwise jeopardize for matter only few weeks these projects so related to closer cooperation these vital areas. Italy has spoken to Turks asking them confidentially approach Greeks and Yugoslavs to harmonize timing Athens and Belgrade meetings with Trieste negotiations. Italy asks US and UK support such action.

Merchant stated US would give prompt consideration matter and would advise Italian Ambassador our views, adding Italy must realize however that momentum behind Balkan Pact is powerful and one could only hope for slight delay.

Italian Ambassador spoke only in terms of slight delay, focussing on Italy’s fears of effect of publicity indicating final agreement on conclusion present Athens meeting concluded July 5 or 6. He spoke of waiting a week or ten days in order have Trieste and Balkan matters proceed concurrently.

Department does not contemplate démarche by US to Greeks, Turks or Yugoslavs at this time, not having information indicating that this is now required. However in order judge what action advisable on Italian memorandum, request best advice Embassy Athens can obtain informally from Greeks as to timing for all stages negotiation and conclusion Balkan Pact and any indication nature public statements likely to be issued at end present Athens talks. Further request you informally apprise Greeks of Italian démarche explaining that in accordance our understanding agreed timetable Italian fears not warranted and we wish we able so inform them. We have understood that text agreed to by Athens specialist meeting would not be made available to US, UK and France until agreed text developed (Deptel 3053 to Athens⁴). We have accordingly refrained from commenting, other than broad suggestion made Deptel 3657 Athens,⁵ on preliminary draft texts, in belief that Entente powers expected consult us before final text agreed on or publicized. We would appreciate confirmation this understanding, for we would tend concur with Italian view if there were any prospect that communiqués following Athens meeting implied that text of alliance was final. We are not yet prepared commit ourselves actively to lobby for Balkan alliance before NAC, and will not be in a position to do so until we have considered privately, proposed text. Believe all concerned will agree that developments in informal NAC meeting June 30 (Polto 3⁶) indicate desirability most careful and considered preparation before any public action on part any nation concerned gives impression that text resulting from specialists meeting more than recommendations to Ministers and that NATO (or US, UK and France) will be presented with fait accompli.

In your discretion you may also discuss with Birgi or appropriate member Turkish delegation along these lines.

London advise UK and French members Balkan working group.

Dulles

1. Drafted by Wolf and Marcy and cleared in EUR, GTI, EE, and WE. Repeated to Belgrade for action and to London, Ankara, Paris, and Rome for information.
2. Copies of the memorandum of conversation and of the memorandum left with Merchant are in file 760.5/7–254.
3. A committee composed of representatives from Yugoslavia, Greece, and Turkey was meeting in early July in Athens for the purpose of drafting a Balkan military alliance.
4. The reference is apparently erroneous; telegram 3053 to Athens does not concern the Balkan Pact.
5. Telegram 3657, June 28, stated that the United States would refrain from comment on the Balkan military arrangement until draft agreements had been made available. (760.5/6–2554)
6. Polto 3 reported that the Netherlands and Italian representatives at the NAC meeting of June 30 had expressed reservations concerning the role of the NAC in the consideration of the Balkan military pact. (740.5/7–154)