501.BC/12–946
Memorandum by Mr. Harry N. Howard of the Division of Research for Near East and Africa
Incidents on the Northern Greek Frontiers:
A Summary Statement61
The Department of State has accumulated a vast body of evidence with respect to numerous incidents along the northern Greek frontiers with Albania, Yugoslavia and Bulgaria during the period of 1945–1946. This evidence comes from Albanian, Greek, Yugoslav and Bulgarian sources, reports from United States Missions in Athens, Tirana and Belgrade, reports from military attachés, AP and UP dispatches and correspondents of the New York Times and other responsible newspapers. There were also charges and counter-charges concerning the situation along the northern Greek frontiers during the recent consideration of the Greek case before the United Nations Security Council. Despite general agreement in the Security Council that a disturbing situation existed along the Greek frontiers which might well constitute a threat to international peace and security, the Security Council, on September 20, 1946 rejected the recommendation of the United States for an on-the-spot investigating commission in the frontier area because of the veto of the Soviet delegate.
Both Greece and Albania have submitted numerous lists of incidents [Page 277] alleged to have occurred on the Greek-Albanian frontier, and there have been charges on the part of Greece, Yugoslavia and Bulgaria as to developments along the Greek-Yugoslav and Greek-Bulgarian sectors of the frontier area. While it is not possible to attest each alleged incident which appears to have taken place, the cumulative impression is that an extremely grave situation exists in the frontier area. This has been particularly true in recent weeks along the Greek-Yugoslav section of the frontier.
The evidence regarding the incidents, which has been thoroughly examined within the Department, points toward an over-all pattern, with indications that the USSR and its satellites, Albania, Yugoslavia and Bulgaria may be seeking 1) to embarrass the Greek Government, 2) to cut off Greek Macedonia from Greece and bring it into the Yugoslav Federation, 3) to obtain Western Thrace for Bulgaria in order to give that country and the Soviet Union an outlet on the Aegean Sea, and 4) to place the Soviet Union in a more strategic advantage on the Aegean side of the Turkish Straits.
Partly through its own blunders, but even more because of its geographic position, Greece has been placed in this dangerous situation. The pattern of encroachment has gradually emerged until there seems little doubt of Soviet intentions. Since the end of the war Greece has been unceasingly attacked by the Soviet press and radio, along with British and American policy toward that country. Moreover, it may be pointed out that Soviet policy with respect to Bulgaria and its claims on Greece dates at least from the “Big Bulgaria” policy of 1878. In November 1940 the Soviet Government offered both Western and Eastern Thrace to Bulgaria if it would sign a mutual assistance pact with the Soviet Union, which would also withdraw any objections against Bulgarian entrance into the Axis. Soviet policy toward the Turkish Straits is long established. In the past, Yugoslav governments have looked in the direction of Salonika, which was promised by the Germans on March 25, 1941 when the Yugoslav Government signed the Axis Pact. Despite official denials, there are indications that Marshal Tito has not given up the dream of Salonika.
If these developments continue without some action on the part of the United Nations, the situation in Greece and the eastern Mediterranean can only deteriorate. Whatever the interpretation to be placed on these incidents, and wherever the ultimate responsibility for them may lie, it seems clear that the situation in this frontier area calls for an impartial investigation on the part of the United Nations in the interest of Greece and its neighbors, of the welfare of all the peoples of the region, and of international peace and security.
- In telegram 1546, December 7, 1946, 1 p.m., to Athens, the Department summarized developments concerning the northern Greek frontiers. It cited the Soviet veto at the Security Council in September of the United States proposal for an on-the-spot investigation and stated that its research clearly indicated there was more reason for such an investigation now than there was in September. (868.014/12–746)↩