868.50/1–346
Memorandum by the Acting Secretary of State to President Truman
In accordance with your suggestion of December 22,65 certain changes have been made in the proposed text of a note to the Greek Government in the direction of making more evident our friendliness toward the Greek people and our admiration for their resistance to Axis aggression. Although certain phrases may still seem somewhat harsh, it is our belief that the Greek Government will be assisted by this public statement in its attempt to carry out a stringent program of economic stabilization which it hesitates to announce without some indication of Allied approval.
In confidential talks the Greek Ambassador has expressed the desire that any statement by this Government on the Greek economic situation will contain some fairly plain speaking concerning the measures which the Greek Government should institute to save a dangerous situation.
If you approve,66 the attached text67 will be telegraphed to Ambassador MacVeagh for simultaneous release in Athens and Washington after the approval of the Import-Export Bank loan to Greece and notification to the British of our intentions.