868.00/1321
The Ambassador to the Greek Government in Exile (MacVeagh) to the Secretary of State
[Received 12:29 p.m.]
Greek [Series] 139. Greek Prime Minister Tsouderos in a broadcast Tuesday night68 from Cairo directed toward the guerrilla factions in Greece, pointed out first the disastrous consequences of the civil war in aiding the enemy by weakening the guerrilla forces, and in exposing the civilian population to German reprisals, which drive them into the mountains, where not even the Red Cross can help them, while enemy propaganda blames their sufferings on the guerrillas.
Urging them to remove from their ranks any persons whose motives were personal or suspect, he said that he did not believe that any Greek was collaborating with the enemy, but “I am not now alluding to the pseudo government of Athens and I make an exception in their case. And the exception is still more explicit if it be true that they have armed Greeks whom, under the name of ‘security units’ they have sent with Germans against those of our guerrillas whom they call anarchists”.
After a reference to General Wilson and the statement that “only those who unite will be considered as part of the Army of the Middle East”, he assured the guerrillas that in this appeal he had the full support of the Allies, “who will regard with particular sympathy those who will undertake the initiative in reconciliation.”
Stating that all preparations for liberation were being made, he said, “You know that the King has already given the example of unity by his declaration of the 4th July and subsequently by his letter of 8th November.” He concludes with this final plea: “Unite against the common enemy or return to your peaceful occupations, because if you continue this fratricidal strife you are only serving the enemy’s cause. Let everyone’s watchword be that the unity of all Greeks is the nation’s strength.”
- December 21.↩