868.20/9–2048: Telegram
The Ambassador in Greece (Grady) to the Secretary of State
Amag 1562. There follows memo of General Van Fleet in reply to Gama 1282, September 15.
“The letter which Greek Ambassador referred in his memo to Secretary of State was undoubtedly my letter to General Yiadjis dated 31, August 1948. In that letter I stressed two main points: (1) Serious excesses which have developed in both GNA and NDC must be eliminated on or before 10 September 1948 bringing combined GNA–NDC and Esso trainees ceiling within authorized strength of 197,000 and (2) calling chief of Greek General Staff’s attention to fact that funds were authorized for 15,000 temporary overstrength for period of six months only to provide flow of replacements. This period ends on 20 October 1948 and I called his attention to fact this overstrength must be eliminated on or before that date, leaving GNA with total strength of 132,000 and NDC 50,000 or total strength of Greek land forces of 182,000.
“Two above points were main ones of my letter, but I also, as seen in paragraph 4, stated that studies were being made of status of funds for GNA and that it was entirely possible that as a result of these studies there might be required a further reduction of 20,000 in NDC sometime after 1 December 1948.
“This letter did not refer to general program of reduction as outlined in Gama 1246 of 16 August and was sent to General Yiadjis in [Page 152] order that he might have due warning with reference to reduction of GNA–NDC to strength previously authorized by State Department.
“It is my suggestion that in answering Gama 1282 that my letter to General Yiadjis be quoted in full so that State Department may have complete understanding of my position in this matter.”
There follows verbatim text of aforementioned letter from Van Fleet to Yiadjis:
[Here follows text of letter.]
I may add Department is correct in assumption that contents of Gama 1246 has not been discussed with Greek authorities by anyone in mission.