868.00/10–1045: Telegram
The Ambassador in Greece (MacVeagh) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 11—5 p.m.]
1147. Department’s telegram 989 September 23 [20],83 Note received today from Foreign Office stating that Greek Government while appreciating friendly interest Allies is not yet in position make decision re Allied desire some form resumption diplomatic relations Greece-Italy.
Briefly summarized, note:
(1) Emphasizes vivid Greek memories brutal Italian aggression; (2) points out Greece showed generosity towards Italian occupation forces at time Italy’s collapse, but only relief from moral and material hardship can now assuage Greek people and this not yet forthcoming; (3) adds Foreign Minister Council in London84 settled neither of territorial problems (Dodecanese and Epirus) for which Greece holds Italy responsible and adds reasons for holding such settlement in abeyance “hard for Greek people to understand”; (4) calls attention enormous property damage inflicted Greece by Italians and alleges reports Greece would present account caused “storm of protest” not only from Italy but Allies as well; (5) ends by stating Italy continues to enforce war measures on Greeks in Italy while demanding improved living conditions for Italians in Greece which still bleeding from Italian-inflicted wounds.
Copy of text forwarded airmail.85
- Not printed. Reporting, at the request of the Department, on the problem of Italians being deported from Greece, Ambassador MacVeagh in his telegram 884, August 21, 1945, 7 p.m., recommended that “In view current discussions resumption Greek-Italian relations best solution might be joint Allied recommendation to Greece and Italy for direct settlement, suggesting desirability observe humanitarian principles and avoid added rancors prejudicial future relations.” (868.00/8–2145) The Department had undertaken such a démarche to the Greek and Italian Governments in the telegraphic instruction under reference (repeated to Rome as telegram 1627) (868.00/9–745).↩
- For documentation regarding the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers at London, September 11–October 2, see vol. ii, p. 99 ff.↩
- Copy transmitted in despatch 1689, October 11, not printed.↩