868.002/6–2546: Telegram
The Chargé in Greece (Rankin) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 26—10 a.m.]
825. Called on PriMin this afternoon after receipt Paris Delsec 613, June 2424 and informed him of substance Deptel 786, June 22. He expressed keen disappointment at necessity postponement Washington visit for following reasons: (1) He will be blamed locally for apparent failure to take timely steps toward negotiating for US economic aid in post UNRRA period, a matter which predecessor Govts bungled; (2) he planned visit Washington as well as London to evidence Greece’s position as sovereign state and not simply British satellite whose Ministers must run to London periodically for instructions; (3) he fears that Dept’s discouragement Washington trip indicates lack sympathy his Govt and its policies.
To offset in part second point above, PriMin indicated he would like very much meet Secretary and Bevin together, preferably before seeing either separately, rife would endeavor persuade them Greek Govt has no secrets from either western ally and seeks only their continued good will and guidance. Tsaldaris also is not unmindful of favorable effect in Greece of such meeting. He is currently under heavy pressure from extreme Right which condemns his comparative leniency toward Left terrorists whose activities currently increasing in northern Greece perhaps on orders from abroad. Meanwhile Center opposition rebuffed Tsaldaris’ conciliatory gesture June 20 of inviting their participation in Govt during preparations for plebiscite, for which gesture extreme Right roundly condemned him. He still controls solid majority but [Page 173] naturally seeks any evidence US support which would strengthen his position. If opponents able play-up absence US sympathy effectively extreme elements might get upper hand.
Tsaldaris informed me he might send Under-Secretary Coordination Ailianos and Sophocles Venizelos, the latter as representative of opposition, to visit US at early date for economic discussions since he and Finance Minister unwelcome. However he may be expected upon seeing Secretary to raise again question of visiting Washington on present trip.
PriMin intends fly to Paris Friday accompanied by party of about 10.
Sent Dept as 825, repeated Paris as 50.
- Not printed; but see footnote 23, above.↩