760H.68/9–845: Telegram
The Ambassador in Greece (MacVeagh) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 10—3:25 p.m.]
990. Mytel 781, August 1, and despatch 1380, August 3.74 Replying my note re Dept’s proposals to Yugoslav Govt for international investigation latter’s charges anti-Slav persecution Greek Macedonia Foreign Minister75 has now stated in formal note dated September 3, but received yesterday, that Greek Govt “ready subscribe initiative US Govt” but adds “considers that it goes without saying that mandate of commission in question will not be limited to Greek Macedonia but will equally extend to Serbian Macedonia. It is evident that without this extension the inquiry could not be complete and its conclusions would risk being defective”.
On my inquiring this morning what this means, Politis explained verbally Greek Govt, bearing in mind Yugoslav allegations re thousands Greek refugees fleeing persecution, feels investigation should include who these thousands Greeks are (if they exist) and true reasons their migration. Said Greek Govt also has information hostages taken by EAM now in camps Serbian Macedonia and this added reason investigation that region desirable. Promised send me confirming letter repeating to Greek Ambassador Washington who already sent [Page 343] substance note in question.76 Despatch will follow with full texts.77 Politis emphasized matter one of interpretation and not opposition our friendly proposals.
Sent Dept as No. 990, repeated Moscow as No. 7, London as No. 95, Paris as No. 10 and Belgrade.
- Despatch 1380 not printed.↩
- John Politis.↩
- Memorandum 3430, dated September 12, 1945, from the Greek Embassy, not printed, contained these points: 1. The Commission which might be sent to inquire into the situation prevailing in the boundary area between Greece and Yugoslavia should surely include an investigation of the border in Yugoslavia and not only in Greece. 2. The Commission should verify Tito’s assertion that the flight of refugees was because of terror in Greece by interrogation by refugees and by finding out from them why they had crossed the boundary. 3. The Greek government had information that hostages taken by Greek Communists in the December uprising were being held in three concentration camps in Yugoslavia and Albania. The Commission must necessarily find out that these persons were not in reality refugees, and it should obtain their release and freedom.↩
- Copy forwarded with despatch 1518, September 12, 1945, from Athens, not printed.↩