Office of the Historian

868.00/12–845: Telegram

The Ambassador in Greece (MacVeagh) to the Secretary of State

Athens, December 8, 1945—11 a.m.
[Received December 9—12:13 p.m.]

1424. From Grady Mission. Allied Missions this morning received and heard representatives all political groups not included in Govt.

1.
KKE–EAM: Claimed electoral lists fraudulent and insisted thorough revision under conditions public order and security necessary prerequisite their participation elections. Desired proportional system.
2.
Republican Socialist–Papandreou: Asserted lists well done, with little abstention and public order satisfactory. Cited particularly prevailing press freedom. Favored election date prior March 31 and majority system.
3.
Populists: Claimed lack complaints to courts proved lists well done. Asserted only in Greece, Communist59 and Govt could fully establish public order in 5 days. Considered majority system necessary for establishment responsible Govt citing results proportional system in 1932 and 1936. Would accept any result elections and never resort to force.
4.
National Union–Kanellopoulos: Sure electoral lists “best in Greek history” with few abstentions and only one concrete case falsification. Refuting terrorism charges pointed out village registration practically automatic and order prevailing urban areas. Cited freedom speech press assembly unparalleled in Balkans as proof satisfactory public security. Believed psychological pressure Extremists diminishing despite Royalist exploitation and likely disappear in presence Allied observers. Considered some changes army gendarmerie necessary. Favored revised “mixed” electoral system with half deputies by majority and half proportional.
5.
ELD–Socialist: Stated elections undesirable until public passions calmed and adequate preparations made probably in May. Claimed local authorities tolerating if not favoring Royalist terror, but supporting present Govt in efforts take measures correct this condition and restore order. Will decide in light developments whether able participate registration and elections. Favored proportional system. States following parallel policy EAM though no longer associated.
6.
National Liberal–Gonatas–Zervas: Favored earlier but accepted March elections. Considered electoral lists well done and public order satisfactory. Strongly desired majority system.
  • [Grady Mission]
  • MacVeagh
  1. Apparent omissions in preceding part of sentence. Report of conversation forwarded as enclosure 15 to despatch from Ambassador Grady, December 20, stated that Populist Party representatives contended that the only terrorism in Greece was on the part of the Communist Party and that the Greek Government could “finish” the terrorist groups in a few days if there was the will to do it (868.00/12–2045).↩