868.00/11–1447: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the American Mission for Aid to Greece
Gama 484. Personal for Griswold. Statement on organization US activities in Greece transmitted Gama 4301 was not intended to imply lack of confidence in you on part of Dept or President (Amag 4712). This statement prepared primarily because of desire of Armed Services Depts to avoid any possible confusion with regard to appropriate channels for approaching Grk Govt and Washington which might handicap work of both AMAG and Emb, thereby reducing effectiveness of additional military staff being provided to furnish operational advice and planning to Grk armed forces. Since decision to provide operational advice and planning involves far-reaching consequences and renders it even more important that no step for assuring success US aid program be overlooked, Dept endeavored, in cooperation with other interested depts, to work out statement which would prevent any possible future misunderstandings with regard to responsibility, organization or channels. This statement not intended to replace instructions already issued you but to assist in clarifying former instructions in connection with addition to AMAG of military group with functions not provided for in original AMAG organization. There was no intention to curtail your authority and responsibility as set forth in original instructions and of course no desire to take any step which would render more difficult work of AMAG or Emb.
In view your recommendations Amag 471 that there be no change in previous instructions relating to relations between Amb and Chief AMAG, and in view your opinion that satisfactory relationship has been established between AMAG and Emb, President has agreed to inform National Security Council that statement contained Gama 430 is being withdrawn with exception substance para 6 which states that “all military and naval assistance to Greece, whether in form of supplies or of advice on logistics, training or operations, should be handled by military and naval units AMAG” and that “in field operational [Page 417] advice to Greek forces, Chief AMAG would be expected leave to his principal military and naval subordinates military decisions which do not affect overall AMAG policies or other AMAG activities”.
Since statement contained Amag [ Gama ] 430 is being withdrawn, there is no reason for discussing with Grk or Brit officials organizational relationships between AMAG and Emb. It is necessary only to inform Grk and Brit officials that additional military personnel, to furnish operational advice, will be integrated with already existing military section AMAG under jurisdiction head military section.
I completely agree with your conviction that key to achievement American objectives in Greece is mutual consultation and cooperation between AMAG and Emb. Our aims in Greece can be realized only by unity of purpose and consistent presentation US policy. I feel that both AMAG and Emb have vitally important roles to play in executing US policy and our sole desire is that their contributions be utilized to fullest extent in complete harmony.
For your info state of health of Amb, who has recently undergone serious operation, is such that it is impossible to determine whether he will be physically able to resume his duties in Greece. It is hoped that within a few days more precise info can be given you regarding plans Amb.3
- Dated November 7, p. 400.↩
- Dated November 14, p. 404.↩
- In a personal message, Gama 486, November 20, Mr. McGhee informed Governor Griswold as follows: “I think you should know that the President as well as the Secretary personally approved Gama No. 484 and that every one feels that a satisfactory and final solution has now been reached to this problem. I can assure you that every one here is pleased with the results you and your Mission have achieved to date and have complete confidence in you personally.” (868.00/11–2047)↩