868.48/3161: Telegram
The Minister in Sweden (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 2:09 p.m.]
1576. Mallet and I saw Boheman yesterday morning and Mallet gave him two aide-mémoires in reply to Swedish recommendations on Greek relief reported in my 1465, June 10, 9 p.m. (see also my 1466, June 10, 10 p.m.). I understand Mallet’s instructions on which reply was based were communicated to Washington.
Yesterday afternoon we met again with Boheman, other members of Foreign Office and Dr. Junod and listened to a full résumé of report of his activities and plans and conditions in Greece. Junod states his report has been sent both to Washington and London. At same time Boheman handed Mallet two aide-mémoires in reply to those given him yesterday morning, substance of which follows:
1. Swedish Government considers that reports from Swedish members of Committee of Action should be forwarded through Swedish Chargé in Sofia. He will act on Committee of High Direction to Swedish Government by diplomatic courier.39 His reports will be communicated to British and American Governments.
Wheat should be consigned to “La Délégation de C. I. C. R. (Comité International de la Croix Rouge),” Athens.
2. Following negotiations with German and Italian Governments and assurances given thereunder Swedish Government satisfied:
- (a)
- That delegates on Committee of Action will receive facilities for supervising and distribution of relief on lines already laid [Page 766] down by British and American Governments, that is, Committee will have right and duty to verify by direct observation that these conditions are fulfilled; to be sufficiently numerous and to maintain sufficient staff and enjoy necessary complete freedom of movement and facilities for inspection and enquiry;
- (b)
- That assurance given by Italian Government that all food stuffs produced in Greece will be reserved for Greek population exclusively and any surplus which may be exported eventually will be entirely compensated by imported foodstuffs, holds good for German Government as well;
- (c)
- That Dr. Junod’s proposed arrangement places in hands of a purely neutral committee management of all functions and powers assigned to neutral commission as specified in conditions originally laid down by British and American Governments including control of allocation of relief as well as distribution and supervisory duties referred to in paragraph (a);
- (d)
- That President of Committee of Action will be a Swede and that committee will be formed of equal number of Swedish and Swiss delegates and will act as an organ of International Red Cross;
- (e)
- That functions of High Committee of Direction mentioned in Junod’s proposals are as regards this specific scheme confined to those of liaison between occupation authorities and Committee of Action.
- Swedish Government intends to inform German and Italian Governments immediately that it considers sufficient agreement to have been reached between belligerent parties to put scheme in action and request safe conduct for first three ships. This Boheman states was done yesterday.
Dr. Junod stated that when certain data concerning number of motor cars needed and gasoline for their operation for transport under scheme had been determined a request would be made that they be supplied, gasoline and oil to be sent monthly probably by relief ships. If these are not forthcoming whole scheme would bog down for lack of transport.
Boheman stated that expenses of Swedish members of committee would be paid from private sources through Swedish Government and similarly Swiss members would be provided for through Swiss Government.
As regards composition of Committee of Action it is planned to have total of 15 including three delegates each from Sweden and Switzerland; others also to be Swedes and Swiss approximately equally divided.
- Apparently there is some omission in this sentence.↩