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

768.75/4–446: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the United States Representative in Albania (Jacobs)

Washington, April 9, 1946—8 p.m.

60. Greek Emb under instructions has presented note dated Apr 4⁶⁸ stating Greek Govt “reliably informed that new wave terrorism raging in Northern Epirus, and Greek residents of district being arrested, deported, and otherwise persecuted.” Note claims “two Greek priests and four laymen” arrested Feb 10 in Premeti and imprisoned Argyrocastro; 42 persons alleged arrested Feb 23 in Premeti, Argyrocastro, Delvino and Himarra. Note states following arrested persons face summary execution and requests Dept’s intervention their behalf: Soterios Louis, Athanasios Pantos, Papachristos, Spelios Louis, Evangelos Tachos, George Liakos and Vasilios Partalis.

Dept would appreciate your comments re this reported mistreatment Greek residents Northern Epirus and situation seven persons mentioned above.⁶⁹

Sent Tirana, repeated to Athens.

Byrnes

68. Not printed.

69. In telegram 213, April 12, 1946, Mr. Jacobs set forth his belief that it was inadvisable to approach the Albanian authorities in specific cases of the kind raised by the Greek Government. He pointed out that the Albanian authorities had inaugurated a Sovietization process and that those under arrest might have been detained, not because they were Greeks, but because they were under suspicion of being non-conformists or oppositionists. For text of No. 213, see vol. vi, p. 17.

    In telegram 80, May 15, 1946, 5 p.m., the Department informed Tirana of a further note of May 10 from the Greek Embassy and stated: “Although US intervention requested by Greek note not feasible (urtel 213 Apr 12, 1946), Dept would appreciate any available information.” (768.75/5–1046)