868.00/7–1147: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Greece
1021. In his interview with Secretary Marshall on July 9 Tsaldaris expressed his Govt’s appreciation of American aid and stressed problems of Greek frontier violations and urgent need for strengthening Greek armed forces. Tsaldaris stated Greece prepared to accept US suggestions regarding course of action to be taken regarding Greek [Page 225] frontier violations in event USSR vetoes US resolution before SC. He said much of Greek-Yugo frontier wide open because Greek armed forces insufficient. Tsaldaris referred to possibility US and other friends of Greece might establish some kind of international police force to patrol Greek frontier but stated he would not now press for info re US position in case of Soviet veto of UN Border Commission.
Tsaldaris declared if Greek Govt had means and freedom of action to strengthen its army at once it was confident it could put down disorders within three months but that it could make no move in this direction without US assent. Secretary informed Grk FonMin that question of enlargement of Greek army was matter which should be discussed at length with Mr. Griswold and his military advisors in Greece who after studying the matter on the spot would give him appropriate answer. Tsaldaris gave impression that he believed army should number at least 150,000 and should be reorganized in order to achieve high proportion of front line troops.
In response to FonMin’s question, Secretary stated that he would be glad to see him again before his departure from US.
Subsequent conversation of Tsaldaris with Griswold, Under Secretary and other Dept officials1 followed same lines as above.
- Memorandum of conversation, July 9, 3:45–5:15 p. m., by William Witman. 2d, not printed. Mr. Witman was Second Secretary of Embassy in Greece, temporarily in the Division of Near Eastern Affairs (868.00/7–947).↩