Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1943, The Near East and Africa, Volume IV

740.0011 EW/8–2243

Memorandum of Conversation Held During the First Quebec Conference⁴²

[Extract]

Quebec, 22 August, 1943—5:30 p.m.

[Participants:]	The President
	The Prime Minister of Great Britain
	The Secretary of State
	Mr. Eden
Present also:	Mr. Harry Hopkins43
	Sir Alexander Cadogan44
	Mr. Dunn45
	Mr. Atherton46

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6. The King of Greece

This discussion turned on the subject of the message from the King of Greece recently received by the President and the Prime Minister, in which the King of Greece asked advice from the President and Prime Minister as to the action the King should take, in view of the request of certain Greek elements that His Majesty should not return to Greece until after a plebiscite on the subject of the Monarchy had been held.

At the request of the Prime Minister, Mr. Eden read a report on the present political situation of Greece prepared by the British Foreign Office.

At the further request of the Prime Minister, Mr. Cadogan read a communication on the subject from General Smuts, who advocated, as a matter of fair play, that the King of Greece not be precluded from entering his own country and resuming his former position, subject, perhaps, to later decision by the people of Greece as to the future form of the Greek regime.

There was some discussion then on the general subject of the attitude of the British and U. S. Governments toward the constituted governments of the refugee countries. It was decided, in general, that the two Governments should continue to support the governments and regimes as now recognized by them generally through the period up to the defeat of the enemy.

Mr. Hull pointed out that this attitude was in line with the attitude adopted in the statement with respect to administration of liberated areas, decided upon under Subject 2⁴⁷ of the agenda above.

With specific reference to the situation of the Greek King it was agreed between the President and Prime Minister that the British Foreign Office should reply to the King’s telegram, supporting his contention that he was prepared to return to Greece as soon as possible and submit the question of the Royal House to plebiscite.

The President said the United States Government would not take any different position.

The Prime Minister further stated, on his own initiative, that the British Government would instruct the British agents who were working with the guerrilla elements in Greece to refrain from encouraging those elements to put forward political claims as to the future form of government of Greece at this time.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

42. The records of the First Quebec Conference are scheduled for publication in a subsequent volume of Foreign Relations.
43. Special Assistant to President Roosevelt.
44. British Permanent Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
45. James C. Dunn, Adviser on Political Relations.
46. Ray Atherton, Minister in Canada.
47. i. e., Liberated Areas.