868.50 Porter/3–447: Telegram
The Ambassador in Greece (MacVeagh) to the Secretary of State
top secret
Athens, March 4,
1947—5 p. m.
315. Deptel 241, March 1 [February 28].1 After receiving Dept’s most encouraging message I have had long conferences with Porter and Ethridge as a result of which we have agreed on the following specific comments:
- 1.
- We feel it most desirable that British share responsibility here to fullest extent possible both economically and militarily and suggest US might continue avoid direct military assistance to Greece [Page 90] even if it must grant credits to British in this connection. Distinction admittedly narrow, but might have some psychological value in connection Anglophobe feeling in US and argument we being “left holding bag”.
- 2.
- Our assistance to Greek Govt should be clearly conditioned on latter’s acceptance and implementation of specific economic policies which will put end to present exploration [exploitation] of such aid for political purposes and private gain (e.g. mishandling of UNRRA supplies).
- 3.
- Greatest care should be taken to avoid giving impression that US aim at financing Greek “civil war” or maintaining in power an essentially reactionary govt incapable of developing sound economic program on democratic principles. Perhaps aim might be stated to insure opportunity for broader democratic govt and greater implementation of political, social and economic responsibility than now is possible. In this connection it might help if Congressional leaders were told privately that present govt is not representative of nation under normal conditions, having been elected under fear of Communism both external and internal and that our policy will be directed towards liberal changes here at opportune time when this fear removed.
- 4.
- Provisions for supervision by American experts of relief reconstruction and development should be broad and inclusive. They should begin with civil service reorganization and include teams of technical experts on port, highway, water power and reclamation development. Specific plans for such supervision will be contained in Porter report which now being expedited.
- 5.
- Finally in view desirability of ending bandit situation soonest we feel it might usefully be stated that if UN Commission successful in settling border problem our Govt will seriously explore possibility of obtaining internal pacification here on generous terms.
MacVeagh