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

868.00/9–2446: Telegram

The Ambassador in Greece (MacVeagh) to the Secretary of State

secret

Athens, September 24, 1946—9 p.m.
[Received September 25—2:07 p.m.]

1284. In conversation with me last night Prime Minister stated:

(1) Believes resignation of Govt uncalled for at this time since no constitutional change involved as result of plebiscite.

(2) Considers broadening of Govt to include elements all parties except extreme Left possible only if chiefs agree to continued leadership of Populist;

(3) Is personally unable consider surrendering leadership to coalition or “ecumenic” Govt as this would mean betrayal of mandate given in March election;

(4) Finds other party leaders taking different attitude and general agreement of “political world” unlikely before King’s return.⁸⁰

MacVeagh

80. The King returned to Athens on September 28. The Government resigned the same evening and Mr. Tsaldaris was requested by the King to form a new cabinet. Negotiations ensued between Mr. Tsaldaris and the opposition leaders in order to broaden the Government but they were unsuccessful. A new Tsaldaris Cabinet was sworn in on October 2 with no changes from the previous one.