Foreign Relations of the United States, 1947, The Near East and Africa, Volume V

501.BC Greece/3–2647: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to Mr. Mark F. Ethridge, at Sofia

secret
us urgent

Washington, March 26, 1947—6 p. m.

111. For Ethridge.

1. Austin yesterday asked SYG to place on agenda SC meeting Friday, March 28, item No. 7 of summary statement of matters of which SC is seized, to wit: the Greek question. Decision to take this action has been made on highest levels after thorough appraisal situation here and in Greece. Desire exists here to make clear to UN connection between proposed U.S. assistance to Greece¹ and our policy in UN. It is realized that statement in SC at this juncture may affect work Investigating Commission and that there is possibility protracted discussion. Austin statement will make clear, however, that US is not prejudging work Commission but rather is vitally interested in its report and in action which SC may subsequently take with respect thereto.

2. Austin’s statement will express hope that SC will agree to following U.S. views on work of Commission under present terms reference:

(a) US hopes that Commission’s first report will be prepared and forwarded with all possible speed following completion its present schedule investigations.

(b) Commission members should come to seat of UN after submitting report and be available to SC until termination consideration Greek complaint. Commission should be available to prepare such supplementary reports as may be needed and it should be ready to undertake additional investigations if required.

(c) US believes that it is of utmost importance that Commission leave representation in border area during preparation report and subsequent SC consideration of it.

(d) US understands resolution creating commission as giving Commission full authority to leave representatives in Greece.

(e) US believes that Commission will continue in existence until SC either disposes of case or acts to terminate Commission’s existence.

3. Statement will continue that US has special and pressing interest in effective action by SC in Greek case. Greece is still prostrate because damage done by Nazi occupation to her economy, system of law and order and also because of operation guerrilla bands and other factors. Greece has appealed to US for assistance in response to which President has proposed program to Congress which is now under consideration. Program has specific and direct bearing upon central objectives US foreign policy to wit: to strengthen UN and to advance building of collective security. Proposed program of assistance is directly related to UN act in creating Commission of Investigation. Activities of armed bands in Northern Greece are threatening integrity Greece and have helped to make threat economic chaos and political anarchy throughout Greece grievous and imminent. Situation on frontiers is made far more dangerous by economic paralysis and weakness in Greece. While not anticipating in any way substance report of Commission it is apparent SC may wish to consider after receipt report such further action as recommending that Greece, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria and Albania agree on system border control regulations and that continuing Commission made up of representatives SC members be established. In addition neutral observers could be used by Commission. Action along these lines by SC combined with proposed emergency program of assistance by US would advance road to peace.

4. Substantial portion of statement is concerned with US economic aid to Greece and possibilities future UN assistance in such.²

5. Decision to make this statement in SC which has already been approved by the President was taken after full consideration of all factors relating to situation including careful review of what transpired during Investigation Commission’s consideration proposal that border team remain in Salonika after Commission’s departure and views your colleagues re possibility referring question to SC (re Ethridge No. 30, March 23 from Salonika³). Seasons you have given for not insisting at this time that team be left in area are fully appreciated. However, important considerations set forth above have led to belief that US should press for leaving such a team. Austin will, therefore, endeavor to persuade Council that Commission should leave team in area.

Sent to Sofia, repeated to Belgrade, London, Moscow for the Secretary, and New York.

Acheson

1. For documentation on the United States program of aid to Greece, see pp. 1 ff.
2. For the statement made before the Security Council by Ambassador Austin on March 28, see United Nations, Official Records of the Security Council, Second Year, No. 30, p. 617.
3. Not printed.