868.00/12–645
The Greek Embassy to the Department of State
The Greek Embassy has been instructed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to bring the following to the attention of the Secretary of State.
[Page 187]The Greek Government, acquiescing in the strong recommendations of the Allied observers to fix a date for the elections not later than March, has designated the last Sunday of March for that purpose. However, the Greek Government deems it necessary to draw the attention of the Governments of the United States, Great Britain and France that no change has taken place in the internal situation of Greece and that the revision with a view to bringing up to date the election lists has not yet begun.
As it is not certain that the essential conditions for a fair balloting could exist by that date, the fixing of a definite time is extremely inadvisable, for without a genuine popular vote the internal troubles could be aggravated.
Nevertheless, believing that a short postponement would facilitate in the normal evolution of the situation, the Greek Government, barring any further postponements, suggests that the elections be held in April. Thus a greater opportunity would be afforded for the purification of the public services, of the election lists, enlightenment of the people and the instillment in their conscience of the feeling that they are really free to vote as they please. Furthermore, with the passing of winter, which is very severe in the mountain areas of Greece the communication with the voters and their going to the polls, problematic during the winter months, would then be easier.
In making the above suggestion the Greek Government does not expect any political advantage. It simply believes that this postponement would strengthen somewhat the hope of a more general expression of public sentiment and would give to the Government greater opportunity to make some necessary changes in some main places of the public services, presently under the control of the extreme right wing.
The Greek Government deeply imbued with democratic feelings, abhors the subversion of the popular will and regards as unworthy of it a deliberate delay of its expression.
The above has been brought to the knowledge of the Soviet Government.