501.BC Greece/8–2947: Circular telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to Certain Diplomatic and Consular Missions 1
[Here follows a paraphrase of Ambassador Johnson’s statement before the Security Council on August 12.]
Following Aug 19 vote on Australian and US resolutions, both of which received nine affirmative votes but were defeated by Soviet veto,2 US requested that “threat to political independence and territorial integrity of Greece” be placed on GA agenda.3
US position that UN Subsidiary Group in Salonika still exists as de jure SC organ upheld by ruling of SC President (Syria) and by opinion of SYG that affirmative SC action necessary to dissolve Investigating Commission and hence Subsidiary Group. Although Soviet and Polish disagreement this point may mean withdrawal their reps from Subsidiary Group, we consider it important that Group continue functioning at least until GA discussion Greek item. Action to drop Grk case from matters of which SC seized might be simultaneous with interim GA decision to designate, as temporary GA agency, either [Page 884] entire present Subsidiary Group or as many as are willing to remain. Group could have substantially same authority as at present with proviso that its existence would terminate when GA disposes of case.
On assumption that no radical change takes place in Balkan situation before GA consideration Grk item, US proposes, after appropriate consultations, to introduce resolution embodying substance two previous US resolutions submitted SC June 27 and Aug 12. Following is summary points now being considered for inclusion in resolution:
Begin Summary Having considered SC proceedings on Grk complaint, including Commission report and info from Subsidiary Group, GA considers that Alb, Bulg and Yugo have assisted guerrillas fighting against Grk Govt and that such assistance in violation of UN Charter constitutes a threat to peace and acts of aggression and use of force against Grk territorial integrity and political independence.
GA calls upon three countries to cease and desist rendering such assistance and calls upon all four countries to cooperate in settling disputes by peaceful means.
It is recommended specifically that (1) normal diplomatic relations be established in near future; (2) frontier conventions be concluded for regulation and control common frontiers and pacific settlement frontier disputes; (3) arrangements be made for voluntary repatriation refugees and establishment measures to prevent political or military activity of refugees; (4) study be made of possible agreements for voluntary transfer of minorities.
GA establishes special committee with power to investigate and record facts concerning compliance by four countries with foregoing recommendations. Special committee empowered to question nationals and officials of four govts and to use its good office to assist in implementation foregoing recommendations. End Summary
Possibility also being considered of including provision for border patrol to report violations to special committee. Such patrol, if large enough to do effective job of reporting on conditions, would also, in our opinion, be powerful deterrent to aggressive intentions Greece’s northern neighbors. Units for this patrol duty might be furnished by countries represented on committee or by “neutral” UN members not primarily interested in area.
You should discuss foregoing informally and confidentially with MinFonAff or other appropriate officials stating that same info is being transmitted through US missions to almost all UN member nations with request that they give us comments and suggestions prior to GA meeting. You should also make clear that present US thinking does not preclude possibility of different approach in GA if warranted by circumstances.
Although pointing out that content of foregoing draft resolution still tentative, you should stress importance US attaches to constructive action by GA in Grk case. Intransigence of Soviet position in SC; [Page 885] defiance of Subsidiary Group by Alb, Bulg and Yugo; continued rumors of international brigade recruitment; possibility that guerrilla announcement of “free Grk Govt” may serve as pretext for some countries to give increased aid to Grk guerrillas—all indicate very real and imminent threat to Grk independence. We believe a moral obligation under the Charter rests on member nations to seek solution in accord with clearly expressed wish of overwhelming majority SC. You should make it clear that our purpose in urging vigorous GA action is not to win mere moral victory for record but honest desire to remove by UN action a threat to the peace and to give a member nation the protection against aggression to which she is entitled under solemn Charter pledges.4
Report to Dept results your discussions as soon as possible.
For your confidential info, the members not receiving this circular are Byelorussia, Czecho, Ukraine, USSR, Yugo and Poland.
- Sent to 44 Missions.↩
- See SC, 2nd yr., No. 79, pp. 2094, 2098. The Australian resolution had been introduced on August 6; for text, see ibid., No. 71, p. 1808.↩
- The United States request was embodied in a communication of August 20 from Ambassador Johnson to the Secretary General of the United Nations; the text is printed in General Assembly document A/344, dated August 21.↩
- An information paper, entitled “Threats to the Political Independence and Territorial Integrity of Greece”, dated September 4, 1947, records that the Department considered that the circular telegram of August 29 marked the beginning of the diplomatic preparation of the United States in connection with consideration of the Greek case by the General Assembly (SD/A/C.1/75, IO flies). The paper noted also that “A white book on the Greek frontier question is being prepared with a view to distribution to the Members of the United Nations within the next ten days or two weeks.” This document, entitled “The United Nations and the Problem of Greece”, was released in September 1947 as Department of State Publication 2909.↩