868.00/6–2147
The Greek Embassy to the Department of State 1
Aide-Mémoire
With reference to the Aide-Mémoire, reference No. 3618 of June 7, 1947,2 presented to the Department of State by this Embassy, it is now desired to submit the following further considerations:
Although the question of an increase in Greece’s armed forces has indeed been examined in the light of financial and economic factors, it has not been linked with the American program of aid to Greece. On the contrary, in a written communication of 12 May 1947 addressed to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the American Ambassador in Athens emphasized that, independently of that program, the question under reference, if dealt with exclusively within the framework of the Greek Budget, would aggravate the problems of maintaining currency stability and of fostering exports, reconstruction work, etc., and that accordingly there was an imperative need for reducing military [Page 206] expenditure when the crisis resulting from the rebel warfare came to an end.
The American Ambassador added that in his opinion the proposed increase in the Gendarmerie gave rise to serious misgivings, not only on economic and military grounds, but also on grounds of political expediency. This clearly shows that the attitude of the United States Government toward an increase in the Greek armed forces was not prompted solely by economic considerations.
In a subsequent communication of 11 June 1947 the American Ambassador stated that his Government agreed to the recruitment of army personnel but solely for the purpose of replacing personnel due to be released. An increase would, however, be effected thereby only during the coming three months, after which period the total army strength would revert to 120,000 men. In consequence, virtually no advantage would accrue to the army.
Furthermore, no reply has yet reached the Greek Government regarding the proposed increase of the Gendarmerie by 6,000 men.
In these circumstances, the situation, in the matter of the inadequacy of the country’s armed forces, remains as critical as ever.
It seems therefore expedient that it be made clear whether the United States Government considers that the Greek Government should be at liberty, without hindrance or diplomatic intervention, to suppress the Communists’ activities in Greece. If so, it would be appreciated if appropriate instructions could be transmitted to the American Ambassador in Athens.