868.00/9–1146: Telegram
The Ambassador in Greece (MacVeagh) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:15 p.m.]
1206. Recent announcements of British military withdrawal from Greece have been in keeping with long-standing official attitude that such withdrawal would follow completion of plebiscite. However, Lt. General Crawford, commanding British Land Forces Greece has told me privately that in his opinion British troops will stay here till [Page 209] Russians withdraw from Bulgaria and possibly longer since by time Russians withdraw they will have completed the formation of strong Communist armies in all Balkan puppet states constituting continued threat to Greek northern provinces. Hazarded guess of at least another year of British occupation. Meanwhile some troops are due to leave Greece in accordance with announcements but Military Attaché reports from British staff sources that combat strength in north will not be lowered appreciably. Withdrawals which will total about 4,000 out of approximately 28,500 now in country will be made chiefly from Patras and Athens areas. In addition RAF planning to depart before end of year leaving here only small advisory and training mission.