Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1945, The Near East and Africa, Volume VIII

768.75/8–245: Telegram

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

Athens, August 2, 1945—1 p.m.
[Received August 3—7:15 a.m.]

791. Assistant Military Attaché sent Jannina by me for objective investigation situation Albanian border reports as follows:

1. Greek authorities Jannina state 150 Greeks imprisoned northern Epirus, 220 families obliged abandon homes move northward, 27 individuals killed, 2,850 refugees Greece. Last figure can be regarded approximately correct.

2. Reliable reports state Enver Hodja visited Argyrokastron July 15 instructing local officials propagandize against annexation Greece. Meanwhile Albanian military units moved southward and all males conscripted (British military report July 26 states 2 battalions Albanian partisans advanced into areas Argyrokastron, Delvino, Libohova and all men ages 16 to 60 being conscripted regardless religion or race).

3. Evidence Greek side frontier indicates reported persecution Greeks by Albanians is on political rather than racial basis and Greek Communists in Albania unmolested. (This may be particular interest Department) Indiscriminate conscription all males including Greeks and subsequent transfer interior Albania also partly responsible these reports.

4. No Greek troops allowed within 5 miles Albanian frontier without extraordinary permission. No recent Greek-Albanian border clashes; only reported incidents occasional exchange shots Greek territory with Albanian irregular bands apparently seeking plunder. Responsible British military sources confident Greeks will take no unilateral action and regard Albanian military movements as purely defensive. Complete report follows air mail.⁵⁹

MacVeagh

59. Copy transmitted in despatch 1377, August 3; not printed.