868.48/3258
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Assistant Secretary of State (Berle)
The Greek Minister came in to see me, at his request.
He referred to a conversation he had had with Mr. Welles with respect to financial assistance for the Greek Government. His point was that he hoped a way might be found by which the United States Government could perhaps take over the burden of supporting a very large number of refugees whom the Greek Government was presently supporting in various countries of the Middle East. He mentioned particularly Turkey, and Palestine, and Egypt. His impression was that roughly two hundred thousand pounds sterling a year were being spent for this purpose, and perhaps we could help in that regard.
I said that I would want to go into the matter before giving him a considered view. I asked if he would be good enough to send me, for our information, a memorandum as to the number of refugees, and their location, and the cost of taking care of them. I would then see what could be done about it. The Minister agreed to do so.