868.00/2–2447
The Department of State to the British Embassy 1
Aide-Mémoire
The Government of the United States has given urgent attention to the aide-mémoire dealing with Greece and Turkey (Nos. 658–47 [G58/—/47] and 693–47 [G93/—/47])2 left by the British Ambassador at the Department of State on February 24, 1947. The Executive Branch of the Government of the United States is of the opinion that the political and territorial integrity of Greece and Turkey must be maintained and has therefore decided to make every effort to extend the aid necessary for that end and for developing a sound economy in those countries.
However, action by the Congress will be necessary to provide funds and authority to furnish the substantial assistance required by Greece and Turkey. Although the Executive Branch will do its best to obtain such action, it cannot guarantee that favorable action will be taken.
In view of the need for Congressional action and of the obvious difficulty of organizing any program of assistance in so short a time, this Government doubts that despite its best efforts it will be prepared within the next few weeks to undertake substantial financial responsibility for Greece. It trusts, therefore, that the British Government will continue on an emergency basis such financial advances to Greece as may be necessary to prevent the collapse of the situation there.
In connection with its proposed program of aid, this Government further wishes to receive confirmation of its assumption that the British Government will continue, to the extent of its ability, fully to cooperate in supporting the political independence and territorial integrity of those two countries.
This Government agrees that questions concerning the Greek and Turkish armed forces be discussed informally between appropriate representatives in Washington of the armed forces of the United States and Great Britain and that these discussions begin at once.
It is further suggested that consultations begin immediately between the Department of State and the appropriate British officials at Washington regarding the financial, economic and administrative needs of Greece and Turkey. In this, as in the case of military requirements, it is believed that precedence should be given to the problems of Greece, as being the more urgent.