Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume XXIX, Eastern Europe; Eastern Mediterranean, 1969–1972

287. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Greece¹

Washington, July 27, 1970, 1647Z.

119968. Ref: Athens 3994 and 3996.² For Ambassador from the Secretary.

1. I have read your telegram reporting your meeting with the Prime Minister in company with Ambassador Ellsworth, as well as your message to Sisco on what we can and should expect from the Greeks in connection with the resumption of the suspended arms shipments.

2. I do not need to tell you how serious is our continuing problem in NATO because of the Scandinavian drive in various ways to get at the Greeks. In this connection, I am concerned that Papadopoulos has reacted to the latest complication in NATO created by the Danes to announce that he will postpone further constitutional progress until the issue with the Danes is resolved.³ This suggests that the Prime Minister does not yet really fully comprehend our own deep need for speed and conviction in Greek moves in the direction of political normality. We cannot accept a link between action on the DPC report and further constitutional progress.

3. Our second problem is of course domestic and Congressional opinion. The situation remains as before. In the Senate we have had another demonstration (too close for comfort) of the strength of the minority which would cut off shipment of military items to Greece.⁴

4. Our decision to resume arms shipments reflects our willingness to accept a considerable risk in our relations with our other allies as well as with the body of our domestic critics. We believe it is reasonable to expect that the Greek Govt should be willing to accept some risk on its part to help create the atmosphere in which we can live with these risks. I hope that we can have some indications very soon of specific steps the Greek Govt can take which would be incontrovertible evidence of relaxation. Lifting of martial law and the announcement of a date for municipal elections come to mind as steps which should not greatly disturb the course of the “revolution” and would have considerable impact.

5. We are relying on the excellent relations you have established with the Greek Govt to permit you to discuss this with the members of the regime on a friendly, helpful and firm basis. I fully appreciate the special delicacy of your job.

Rogers

1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 593, Country Files—Middle East, Greece, Vol. I Jan 69–Oct 70. Secret; Nodis. Drafted by Vigderman on July 24 cleared by Van Hollen, Sisco, Tibbetts, Eliot, and Springsteen; and approved by Rogers.
2. In telegram 3994 from Athens, July 22, Tasca warned Sisco that putting excessive pressure on Papadopoulos for liberalization would play into the hands of extremists within the ruling group. (Ibid.) Telegram 3996 from Athens, July 22, reported on efforts by Tasca and Ellsworth in discussions with Papadopoulos to secure Greek political cooperation within NATO in an effort to head off further challenges from the Nordic states to the regime. (Ibid.)
3. The Danish Government raised the issue of the suitability of Greece for NATO membership.
4. Apparent reference to the defeat of the Hartke amendment.