840.50/2206
Memorandum of Conversation, by Mr. Roy Veatch of the Office of Foreign Relief and Rehabilitation Operations
| Participants: | M. Diamantopoulos, Greek Ambassador, |
| M. Varvaressos,68 Mr. Acheson and Mr. Veatch |
The Ambassador and M. Varvaressos called to say that a formal note from the Greek Government will be delivered shortly69 stating [Page 921] the willingness of that Government to accept the proposed agreement on relief and rehabilitation in the form in which it was placed before that Government on June 10.
M. Varvaressos said that his Government considered that the plan would be a very useful instrument for assistance to the countries that had been victims of war, and that the general lines of the proposal seemed workable and satisfactory. There were of course details which the Greek Government might prefer to have in some other form, but that Government felt it was desirable to accept the plan in its present form in order to show its optimism with respect to the future and its confidence with respect to the way in which the plan would be worked out in operation.
M. Varvaressos went on to say that he was sure the objective of those who had drafted the plan would be to use all of the means available to the countries that will cooperate through this scheme, in extending assistance to the nations who have been victims of war. His Government was prepared therefore to accept the spirit of the proposal and to leave the discussion of details to the Council after the organization is established.
The Ambassador inquired as to whether other Governments have yet accepted the proposal and when he learned that no other government had registered its formal acceptance as yet, he and M. Varvaressos expressed their gratification that Greece might have the honor of being the first to accept.
M. Varvaressos said that he would be returning to London shortly to wind up some matters there before taking up his residence in Washington. He said that he would wish to confer with his friends in the other European Allied Governments in London, especially those with whom he had worked on the Leith-Ross Committee, in the hope that he could persuade the other governments to take the same action as that now taken by the Greek Government. He was convinced that it was entirely desirable to postpone the discussion of details until after the Council of the proposed administration should meet, for he understood from the draft that the Council would have the power to determine the policies of the organization.
M. Varvaressos also said that he would seek every opportunity in Washington before his return to London to convince representatives of the other European Governments that early and unconditional acceptance of the draft agreement is desirable.
In M. Varvaressos’ opinion it would not greatly matter what countries or what individuals should make up the Central Committee. He recognized the necessity of having some Central Committee which would be constantly available to the Director General but he thought there would be little danger in that committee having too great power, or in its abusing the power that it would have.
[Page 922]Mr. Acheson expressed his pleasure in receiving this encouraging reply from the Greek Government. He said also that he agreed fully with the comments which M. Varvaressos had made regarding the desirability of quick action on the draft as it now stands, with the adjustment of details being handled by the Council when it is established. He said that he would of course appreciate anything that M. Varvaressos could do to convince the officials of the other European Allied Governments that such procedure would be desirable.