Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1944, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, The Far East, Volume V

868.51/10–2844

Memorandum of Conversation, by Mr. Edward G. Miller, Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of State (Acheson)⁵⁷

[Washington,] October 28, 1944.

Participants:	Mr. Diamantopoulos, Greek Ambassador
	Mr. Acheson
	Mr. Kohler, NE58
	Mr. Miller, A–A

The Greek Ambassador called at his request. He thanked Mr. Acheson for his cooperation with the Greek Delegation at the Second Session of the UNRRA Council⁵⁹ and also felicitated the United States on recent developments in the Philippines.⁶⁰ He discussed three principal problems as follows:

1. Remittances to Greece. The Ambassador stated that he wished to urge that the United States extend all possible assistance in the present critical economic and monetary situation in Greece. Specifically, the Greek Government desires that arrangements be made as soon as possible to permit remittances from the United States to Greece by (a) individuals; and (b) organizations interested in the welfare of Greece. It was agreed that the matter would be taken up as soon as possible with the Treasury Department.

2. Ships. The Greek Ambassador asked for the Department’s support on a request of the Greek Government now pending before the War Shipping Administration. WSA has agreed to allocate to the Greek Government two Liberty ships now being completed. The Greek Government desires that before these ships should be turned over to the WSA pool by the Greek Government, they be permitted to make a special run to Piraeus⁶¹ with relief supplies for Greece. Mr. Kohler will follow this matter up with WSA.

3. The Greek Ambassador renewed the request of the Greek Government for a loan from this Government of $25,000,000. Mr. Argyropoulos, Director of Economic Affairs of the Greek Foreign Office, and the Ambassador will return on October 30 at 4:00 p.m. to discuss this matter.

57. In a memorandum of October 28 to the Assistant Secretary of State (Acheson), the Director of the Office of Near Eastern Affairs (Murray) reviewed previous discussions with Greek officials regarding the $25,000,000 loan, pointed out the financial problems of the Greek Government in starting the reconstruction of economic life and for immediate relief needs, and concluded: “It seems evident that we must find some way to provide dollar credits to the Greeks, and initially the amount might well be the $25 million for which they have applied.” (868.51/10–2844)
58. Division of Near Eastern Affairs.
59. The Second Session of the Council of the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration met at Montreal from September 15 to 27, 1944. For a brief account of its proceedings, see Department of State, Participation of the United States Government in International Conferences, July 1, 1941–June 30, 1945 (Washington, Government Printing Office, 1947), pp. 134 ff.
60. United States forces had landed on Leyte October 20.
61. Port of Athens.