781.5/5–1352: Telegram

No. 427
The Ambassador in Italy (Bunker) to the Department of State 1

top secret

4933. From Unger. Athens tel rptd Rome 122, May 102 and other message3 re reduction Greek military expenditures brought Admiral Carney’s attention. He has already transmitted his comments directly Amb Peurifoy via Navy channels; they are as follows:

“Not until I discussed them with him in Athens was I aware of Montgomery’s views concerning reduction of Greek forces. Montgomery explained his views were based on his belief that any current economic improvement only reflects American subsidy, on the cheaper concept of mobilizing reserves, and a theory that Albania can be eliminated as a strategic threat pinning down Greek forces if Albanians are warned that any “dirty work” will result in their being blotted out by atomic bombs (he mentioned the number 50). Since I did not consider it appropriate to give him info concerning MSA, I did not discuss the subject in great detail. The views expressed by Montgomery do not stem from opinions held in this headquarters. As to whether Montgomery’s statements reflect any opinion of Eisenhower with respect to Greece, I have no info, but inasmuch as Eisenhower has expressed no such thought to me I am inclined to doubt it and believe they are the views of Field Marshal the Viscount Montgomery of Alamein.”

Admiral Carney also added following comments concerning his conversations last week in Athens with Greek Under Secretary for Defense Mavros.

“In our conversations he indicated that budgetary difficulties might result in reductions in military budget and sought my views as to where cuts, if necessary should be made. Without citing any specific programs and in general terms I told him any buildup program extending over two or more years must be carefully examined to prevent the inevitable loss which results from a change to reduction trend from buildup trend. Specifically Mavros asked how reduction to ground forces shld be done if such reduction became necessary. It was my opinion, I informed him, that organizational structure shld be maintained and that the reduction shld be made [Page 794] by reducing percentage of personnel in the units while still retaining units in being and in position and accenting added mobilization requirements. I did not state that I wld have no objection to such reduction and confined my remarks to a general discussion as to right and wrong ways of effecting reductions in face of cuts in budget. It wld appear, based on estimates of satellite strengths, that present strength of Greek forces cld only be reduced on basis of a considerably greater calculated risk.”

Bunker
  1. Repeated for information to Athens and to Paris for MacArthur.
  2. In this telegram, the Embassy in Athens inquired whether remarks in Athens by Field Marshal Bernard L. Viscount Montgomery of Alamein, Deputy Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, on reducing Greek military expenditures were American-inspired or self-initiated. (781.5/5–1052)
  3. Reference is possibly to telegram 4830, May 10, repeated to Rome for Unger, in which the Embassy in Athens quoted portions of an address at a Greek Government dinner, May 9, by Montgomery on the need for Greece to examine the possibility of reducing defense spending. (781.5/5–1052)