868.00/8–2146: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Greece (MacVeagh)
1035. Paris 42 Aug 20 to Athens.55 For Amfoge II and Embassy. In accordance Secretary’s wish US personnel remain Greece for informal observation plebiscite Dept hopes you and staff will be willing to remain and in consultation with Amb MacVeagh and your Brit colleagues be able to work out plan of observation as satisfactory as limited facilities allow.56
After consultation and agreement between you and Amb MacVeagh latter should inform Greek Govt that as result further Greek request for limited observation US has reversed earlier decision and is now willing keep observers in Greece for plebiscite. It should be clearly explained to Greek Govt that observers will make no formal report to Greek Govt but are remaining in order to transmit to their respective governments as much information as possible on conditions under which plebiscite is carried out. Also make clear to Greek Govt that it is our understanding that our observers are to have complete freedom of movement and complete cooperation of Greek officials. You may add that we are somewhat disturbed by recent reports of growing [Page 194] tendency on part of various factions to bring pressure for the apparent purpose of influencing plebiscite results. Greek Govt should be told that our observers will of course be obligated to report any acts of violence, intimidation, unfair pressure or fraud which may be brought to their attention and that we shall take into consideration these observer reports in arriving at our decision with regard to fairness of plebiscite.
Dept has discussed with War possibility of detaching on urgent basis from European Theater 25 officers to be assigned to you as additional observers, recommending Lt. Col. William H. Patterson, formerly with Amfoge I and now in Germany, to be in charge this group. Dept has indicated that if such group military personnel could be made available it should reach Athens by Sunday or Monday Aug 25 or Aug 26 and that its duties in Greece would last only about 8 days. Decision of War on this request will be transmitted to you soon as possible.
Dept will explore possibilities at this end of return transportation and will appreciate any suggestions you can make. Suitable arrangements will be made for those observers scheduled to take Foreign Service exams Sept 30.
Sent Athens 1035, rptd London 6184, Paris 4264 for Secretary.
[On August 24, 1946, Dmitry Zakharovich Manuilsky, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, telegraphed the complaint of his Government against Greece before the Security Council, then meeting in New York City, under article 34 of the United Nations Charter. The complaint alleged that irresponsible Greek policy had resulted in a situation in the Balkans which represented a grave danger to the peace and security of that area. It called attention to the numerous border incidents on the Greek-Albanian frontier provoked by Greek armed units; the repeated public statements by Greek Government spokesmen about the existence of an alleged state of war between Greece and Albania; the persecution of minorities in Macedonia, Thrace, and Cyprus by the Greek Government; and the unbridled propaganda of Greek monarchist extremists who demanded Albanian territories. The principal factor said to be conducive to the situation was the presence of British troops in Greece which intervened directly in the internal affairs of Greece on behalf of aggressive monarchist elements. For text of the Ukrainian complaint, see United Nations, Official Records of the Security Council, First Tear, Second Series, Supplement No. 5, page 149.]