868.20/8–2848: Telegram
The Ambassador in Athens (Grady) to the Secretary of State
1700. I concur Van Fleet’s appreciation factors militating against any immediate drastic reduction Greek armed forces (paragraph 7 Amag 1508, August 25). Withdrawal several thousand Grammos guerrillas to Albania, their probable reinfiltration other frontier regions, and concentrations guerrilla forces border areas, particularly Vitsi and Murgana districts, emphasize close connection international aspects Greek question with problem establishing and maintaining country’s internal security. This objective cannot be satisfactorily attained unless large-scale trans-frontier movements checked. Under present circumstances any tangible steps toward “sealing of frontiers” devolve upon Greek army.
I share Van Fleet’s opinion that Greek armed forces can be drastically reduced next spring—perhaps even earlier date—in view favorable prospects for reducing internal public order problem to police proportions within next few months. However, I must emphasize that external factors probably will be more decisive than internal, and that neither Greek Government nor Americans in Greece are in position influence former except to minor degree. If Greece is to preserve its sovereignty and territorial integrity US military aid must continue [Page 144] to be extended as long as threat from north exists, even if only of indirect Markos pattern. Economy of Greece cannot in foreseeable future support modern armed forces above level needed to meet normal problems of internal security.
While inclined toward optimism, therefore, I believe it would be grave error for US to think of Greek problem primarily in terms of any fiscal year. USSR seems favor series of five-year plans, and we should not count on ending military aid to Greece (nor let Greeks know we are even considering termination of such aid) until it becomes evident that threat of external aggression, direct or indirect, has been largely removed. This obviously will depend in first instance upon success of US efforts in cooperation other western powers, through UN or otherwise, to persuade Russia that aggression does not pay.