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

868.00/10–1446: Telegram

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

secret

Washington, October 16, 1946—5 p.m.

1351. Dept in full agreement conclusions urtel 1390, Oct 14,⁴ London 73, Paris 100 for Secretary. You should immediately take occasion express appropriate officials Greek Govt our concern over widespread unofficial arming civilians and rumored proposals that Greek Govt seeking to give official sanction to this practice and requesting additional arms and ammunition from Brit for that purpose. We do not believe that in country where political hatreds were encouraged by enemy occupation authorities and where arms were widely distributed for underground activities against enemy, a permanent solution internal order can be reached by further distribution arms which in our opinion would aggravate and not ameliorate present distressing conditions. Dept also hopes Brit colleague will see fit make similar strong representations Greek Govt.

Sent Athens 1351, rptd London 7201, Paris 5574.

Acheson

4. Not printed; the Ambassador concluded that the Greek plan to mobilize and arm civilians in sections of the country menaced by Communist bands would be ineffective in bandit warfare and highly dangerous politically (868.00/10–1446).