No. 91
Editorial Note
The Greek Ambassador called at the Department of State on August 11 to tell the Under Secretary of State that the Greek Government was very interested in becoming a member of the Middle East Planning Group. He was told there seemed to be many complex problems incident to Greek participation which should first be resolved, but that the Department would give him a reply as soon as possible. (Memorandum of conversation by Dixon, August 11; 780.5/8–1152) The Greek Ambassador called again on August 18 to restate the official interest of the Greek Government in participation in the planning of a Middle East Defense Organization. He stated that Greece was not prepared at that time to contribute any forces to the proposed Organization, but could help with advice and “‘with our islands—Cyprus and the Dodecanese.’” The Government of Greece had not presented its views to any other sponsoring [Page 282] power except the United States, and it was agreed the Department of State position would be formulated and discussed with the Ambassador before any further steps were taken by either government. (Memorandum of conversation by Baxter, August 18; 780.5/8–1852)
Telegram 348 to Ankara, September 12, repeated to Athens, Paris, and Rome, informed those Embassies the Department of State had not yet formulated its views on the Greek request, but thought the Greeks should be discouraged on the basis that Greece had heavy responsibilities in connection with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and Greek interests in the Middle East could be safeguarded by the contemplated close liaison between MEDO and NATO. On September 19, the Greek Ambassador again called at the Department of State to bring officially to the Department’s attention the fact that Greece had made a formal request to each of the sponsoring powers for inclusion in the Organization. Documentation is in Department of State file 780.5.