868.50/7–1145
The Greek Minister for Foreign Affairs (Sofianopoulos) to Mr. Edward B. Stettinius, Jr. 51
My Dear Mr. Stettinius: I am leaving this afternoon for New York on my way to Greece. But before leaving, I would like to thank you most warmly for your kind promise to exert your influence in obtaining for Greece the economic assistance which she so badly needs in the present difficult circumstances. I very much appreciate your courteous attention and attach a great importance to your personal interest.
As you know, President Truman kindly promised that the United States Government would assist in any feasible way in Greece’s reconstruction over and above what will be done by UNRRA.52 I should be deeply grateful to you if you would be so kind as to talk over this matter with Mr. Grew, the Under-secretary of State, and with the Foreign Economic Administration and see that steps be taken immediately to cover Greece’s most urgent needs. This can be done by Art. Sc of the Lend-Lease Act.53 Your personal intervention will, I know, help enormously to expedite the matter.
Before leaving, I should like to express to you once more my profound admiration for your outstanding personal contribution to the success of the Conference. I will always retain most vividly the memory of my association with you.
With my warmest regards
Yours devotedly,
- Mr. Stettinius’ resignation as Secretary of State had been accepted by President Truman on June 27, 1945. Mr. Byrnes, his successor, took the oath of office on July 3.↩
- For statement by President Truman on his conversation with Mr. Sofianopoulos, released by the White House on July 5, see Department of State Bulletin, July 8, 1945, p. 69.↩
- Approved March 11, 1941; 55 Stat. 31.↩