868.00/5–2846: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Greece (Rankin)
696. Paris 2604 May 2914 rptd as infotel Athens 677, London 4365. 1. In view French decision against participation mission for revision Greek electoral lists please request further info of Greek Govt re PriMins suggestion of Canadian, Swedish or Swiss participation. For your info Dept would be glad for other participation if only token in order to counteract probable criticism that US–UK coalition is exerting undue influence on Greek internal affairs.
2. Dept agrees advisability exchange of identical US–UK notes with Greek Govt suggested para 5 urtel 712 May 28.15 In addition to points you mention it might be advisable to indicate that we would welcome participation of other national groups if Greek Govt makes appropriate overtures.
3. To avoid later confusion official name of mission should be decided upon. In view possibility that only US and UK may participate it seems preferable not to use word “Allied”. Dept therefore suggests “Mission to Observe Revision of Greek Electoral Lists” which could be referred to briefly as “Greek Electoral Mission”.
4. In spite of Depts willingness to cooperate to fullest practicable extent it was thought impossible to recruit and send to Greece in time to be of assistance any civilian observers. Attempt being made to include in total of eight samplers and six statistical assistants as many men as possible who could make trips to field with observer teams. In light suggestions para 1 your 712 (delayed in transmission by garble) Dept now recruiting approximately 25 carefully screened university or graduate students particularly interested in international affairs to act as civilian observers.
[Here follow paragraphs numbered 5 and 6 dealing with personnel matters.]
Sent to Athens 696, rptd to London 4466, Paris 2670.
- Not printed.↩
- Not printed; it was a reply to telegram 661, May 25, to Athens, p. 165. Paragraph 5 reads: “Since mission (at least British contingent) will in effect be functioning June 3, suggest advisability early tying down Greek Govt commitments as proposed Dept’s telegram 621 [620], May 16 by formal acceptances Greek request for observers in identical British and US Embassy notes, specifying as condition understanding Greek Govt will loyally undertake give effect observers recommendations by such administrative or legislative action as may be indicated including eventual prolongation various steps in list revision process and reasonable postponement plebiscite if necessary. Greek Govt reply would constitute binding agreement.” (868.00/5–2846) No. 620 is printed on p. 162.↩