868.00/11–2245: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 22—12:48 p.m.]
12244. The following is text of public statement issued by King of Greece yesterday:
“The postponement of the plebiscite in Greece for 3 years accompanied by the formation of a one-party government creates a completely new situation. When Greece was liberated I agreed at the suggestion of my Government and on the advice of the British Government to return to my country only after the freely expressed [Page 180] consent of the Greek people. For this reason I entrusted to the Archbishop Regent the exercise of my royal duties for the time of emergency resulting from the civil war.
The Varkiza Agreement which put an end to the civil war specifically laid down that the plebiscite would be held before the end of the current year and that it would precede the elections in September of this year. However, it was decided that elections should precede the plebiscite which was to be held at a future unspecified date. Now it is unilaterally decided that the plebiscite should once again be postponed for 3 years and in the meantime a government has been formed, made up exclusively of Republicans. This solution is no more applicable than the proposal that elections should precede the plebiscite because since the Greek people are to be called upon to go to the polls sooner or later it is obvious that the question of the regime either explicitly or implicitly will automatically be put before the electorate. Such a solution is also harmful to the economic and political recovery of the country as it would lead to the perpetuation of a state of uncertainty that would aggravate the present political tension and prevent economic rehabilitation. The lack of stable government for some months now through the succession of temporary administrations which speedily lose control of the situation has shown beyond all possible doubt that the imperative collaboration among the Greek people cannot be achieved unless recourse is taken honestly and frankly to the will of the Greek people.
Finally this solution and especially the manner in which it has been linked with the continuation of financial assistance constitutes an insult to the Greek people who have no less than any other people the right to express their opinion regarding their regime and government. The postponement of the plebiscite for 3 years would amount to the stifling of the sentiment of the Greek people which as is known to all is being expressed clearly in my favour at every opportunity. So as far as I am concerned the repudiation of every decision that has so far been taken compels me to regulate my future attitude without any reservation other than the interests of my people and the respect of its sovereign will.”
Repeated to Athens.