868.00/11–347: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the American Mission for Aid to Greece
Gama 429. For Griswold. Notwithstanding gravity Greek budgetary problem and after sympathetic consideration your views (Amag 345 and 4191) Dept has decided agree British arrangement with Greek Govt latter to pay costs other than food and personnel UK military missions in Greece on scale not greater than for similar US personnel with AMAG control thru review Greek budget. US agreement this arrangement to be conditioned on British agreement that similar request will not be made respect additional types expense or additional missions in Greece. Foregoing based on (1) consistency Marshall letter to Bevin Moscow April 1947 stating “it appears to me feasible to have the Greek Govt, if it is not already doing so, provide food and quarters [Page 400] for the British Mission” this being broader than present British request; (2) political and military desirability British military missions’ remaining in Greece; (3) difficulty British pay full costs view present UK financial position international account. Dept also hopes this arrangement will create favorable environment British to agree to leave their troops in Greece without definite time limit after December 15.
- Dated October 10 and November 3, respectively. In No. 345, Governor Griswold protested that tinder the draft agreement, the Greek Government would be required to pay practically all costs of the British military missions except salaries, which would impose a heavy burden on the Greek budget He made a plea that the British bear a “fair share” of the costs of the common effort in Greece. In No. 419, he reported these costs to the Greek budget at 10,880,100,000 drachmas, based on figures from the British Embassy. (868.00/10–1047, 11–347)↩