868.48/11–944: Telegram
The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Kennan) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 10—4 a.m.]
4291. On November 7 the British Ambassador wrote to Vyshinski42 to say that his Government now felt that the question of the procedure to be followed in dealing with the Greek Government’s request for [Page 485] immediate deliveries from Bulgaria should not be referred to the European Advisory Commission since this would involve loss of time. In the British view the legal basis for action by the Allied Control Commission already exists, as the protocol to the armistice agreement provides for immediate deliveries of foodstuffs; under article IX of the agreement, the Greeks are entitled to other goods by way of reparation; under article XI the Bulgarians must return all loot within a time limit fixed by the Control Commission. Clark Kerr has therefore asked that the Soviet Military authorities be instructed at once (1) to arrange for the immediate beginning of deliveries of foodstuffs to Greece (2) to begin at once the examination of the list of other requirements submitted by the Greek Government and (3) to ensure that loot is restored in full and that early action is initiated in this respect.
His letter added that the British representative on the Control Commission42a had been instructed to cooperate to these ends, and that the British Ambassador in Athens43 had been directed to telegraph to Sofia a list giving the order of priority in which goods should be delivered, after consultation with the British military authorities in Athens.
Sent to Department, repeated to AmPolAd as No. 22 for his information and for transmission to Athens.