Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, The Near East and Africa, Volume VII

740.00119 Council/9–2446: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Acting Secretary of State

top secret
us urgent

Paris, September 24, 1946—8 p.m.
[Received September 24—4:50 p.m.]

4787. Delsec 986. For Clayton from the Secretary. I feel that you should have a full realization within the Dept of the importance of world developments in recent months and their effect upon such earlier plans as may have been under consideration with regard to economic assistance in different forms to various countries in Europe and the Near East. It was natural that consideration of such assistance should some months ago have been determined largely on the basis of need, capacity to repay, and general attitude of the recipient country towards our important aims and methods of expanding world trade. The situation has so hardened that the time has now come, I am convinced, in the light of the attitude of the Soviet Govt and the neighboring states which it dominates in varying degrees, when the implementation of our general policies requires the closest coordination. In a word we must help our friends in every way and refrain from assisting those who either through helplessness or for other reasons are opposing the principles for which we stand.⁷⁶

I have in mind particularly two countries which it is of the highest importance for us to assist, Turkey and Greece. I hope you have carefully read the top secret memorandum addressed to me approved by the Joint Chiefs of Staff as JCS 1704/1 on August 24⁷⁷ (a copy of which I have just received through military channels). I am in full accord with the reasoning contained in that document and with its conclusions. I discussed the question of Turkey with Bevin on Saturday and suggested that Britain, in view of her alliance with Turkey, might wish to furnish direct military equipment while the US would render all feasible economic assistance through sale of surplus, credits, etc. If the Turks should request a few selected US technicians I should favor granting the request.

The political situation in Greece is of course far less satisfactory than that in Turkey. On the other hand the strategic importance of Greece is equally great as set forth in the draft paper on Greece which I understand is now pending in the Near and Middle East Subcommittee of SWNCC. I therefore hope that every effort will be made to extend such economic help to Greece as we reasonably can and that you will emphasize the importance of such measures with regard to both countries in the NAC and in your discussions with the Export-Import Bank. The world is watching the support or lack thereof which we furnish our friends at this critical time and the future policies of many countries will be determined by their estimate of the seriousness or lack thereof with which the US upholds its principles and supports those of like mind.⁷⁹

[

Byrnes

]

76. In a memorandum of September 28 to Mr. Acheson, Mr. Hickerson in the capacity of Acting Director of the Office of European Affairs stated that Mr. Byrnes’ telegram was of fundamental importance and that the first practical application of the principles set forth in that communication “has been in our relations with Czechoslovakia.… We are considering carefully this telegram from the Secretary in connection with our economic relations with all of the countries of Europe.” (740.00119 Council/9–2446) For documentation on United States economic assistance to Czechoslovakia and the reversal of policy of assistance to those “opposing the principles for which we stand” in connection with that country, see vol. vi, pp. 178 ff.
77. Not printed; but for JCS 1704, dated August 23, see p. 857. JCS 1704/1 contains the same substantive text, with minor changes, as JCS 1704; its cover sheet states that on August 23 the Joint Chiefs of Staff considered No. 1704 and agreed to forward a copy to the Secretary of War and the Secretary of the Navy (SWNCC files, SWNCC 091–Russia Miscellaneous).
79. In telegram Secdel 990 (No. 5083 to Paris), September 25, 1946, 6 p.m., Mr. Clayton informed Mr. Byrnes as follows: “Concur completely views on Turkey and Greece set forth urtel delsec 986, Sep 24. We have been thinking on same lines here.” (740.00119 Council/9–2446)