868.00/9–2644: Telegram
The United States Representative, Advisory Council for Italy (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
Caserta, September 26, 1944—midnight.
[Received September 27—4 p.m.]
[Received September 27—4 p.m.]
560. I learned this evening that a conference presided over by the Supreme Allied Commander,20 at which Papandreou with other members of his Government and the Greek guerrilla leaders, Generals Serrafis and Zervas, were present, following decisions were unanimously agreed upon:
- a.
- All Greek guerrilla forces announced that they are forming a national union in order to coordinate their activities in the best interest of the common struggle against the enemy.
- b.
- Supreme Allied Commander has nominated General Scobie and the Government has placed the guerrilla forces under his orders as GOC21 Forces in Greece.
- c.
- Declaration by the leaders of Greek guerrillas states that in accordance with proclamation by Greek Government it is forbidden for any units under their command to attempt to take the law into their own hands, and that any such attempt will be regarded as a crime and punished as such.
- d.
- Nothing is to be undertaken with regard to Athens except at the command of General Scobie GOC Greek Force.
- e.
- Security battalions will be treated as enemy organizations unless they surrender in accordance with GOC orders, since they are considered to be instruments of the enemy.
- f.
- All guerrilla forces functioning in Greece have put themselves under the command of the National Unity Government of Greece.
- g.
- General Scobie has received certain operational orders from General Wilson as Commander of Force 140 which provide that General Zervas is to continue to operate within the limits of the Plaka Agreement.22 A map showing the operational boundaries under the foregoing terms has been furnished to both commanders and the text of a brief press communiqué has been agreed upon which covers the foregoing.
Sent to Department repeated to AmEmBalk Cairo as 75.
Kirk