868.014/6–2946: Telegram
The Ambassador in Greece (MacVeagh) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 30—3:11 p.m.]
838. News of award of Dodecanese to Greece25 has been greeted here with notable enthusiasm on part of Government, Parliament and press and last night’s Parliament session was largely devoted to this event. PriMin expressed gratitude of whole Greek people toward Paris Conference and Parliament addressed messages to latter and to people of Dodecanese. However, party leaders and other Deputies generally followed PriMin’s lead in expressing hope event foreshadows satisfaction of other Greek claims.
[Here follows an account of press reaction.]
Contrasting with officialdom and the party press; general public has shown little enthusiasm, possibly because man in street has long regarded Dodecanese as Greek and its cession as only simple justice. In this connection stronger popular feeling may be involved in case of Northern Epirus but even in this matter as also in regard to Greek claim to a more favorable strategic boundary with Bulgaria, popular interest would appear somewhat apathetic compared with persistent propaganda of political leaders.
- By the Council of Foreign Ministers; see vol. ii p. 661. In telegram 841, July 9, 1946, 6 p.m., to Athens, the Department stated: “Turkey satisfied with Foreign Ministers decision return Dodecanese Greece, but would be pleased if Greece returned to Turkey two or three islands near Turkish Coast. Turks feel their claim as good as Greek, since Italy forcibly took islands from Turkey. Turk Govt has no intentions discussing matter with Greek Govt to avoid misunderstanding with Greece.” (800.00 Summaries/7–946) On July 15, Ankara reported information that Mr. Bevin had told the Turks it was inadvisable to seek Castellorizo and Simi because this action would encourage the Soviets to renew pressure on the Turks regarding the Straits. The Dodecanese should be treated as a whole and not split up, and the demilitarization of the islands should remove any menace to Turkey (telegram 755, 740.00119 Council/7–1546).↩