Office of the Historian

868.20/10–148: Telegram

The Charge in Greece (Minor) to the Secretary of State

top secret
niact
Athens, October 1, 1948—noon.

1969. Prime Minister last night transmitted to the Embassy Top Secret memorandum regarding increases in Army, Navy, Gendarmerie and Air Force considered necessary by Greek Government and services for continued successful prosecution guerrilla war. Memorandum originated by Minister War Stratos and GGS at request Prime Minister and Tsaldaris final draft prepared with collaborative consultation Foreign Office other interested Ministries and Prime [Page 156] Minister. Summary being prepared and will be cabled. Embassy’s and AMAG’s comments and recommendations will follow.

Foreign Office has informed Embassy an exactly parallel though not identical memorandum carefully compared by cable to contain same points, will be handed Secretary by Tsaldaris in Paris. Tsaldaris has also informed Foreign Office that he made same points in conversation with Bevin two days ago (Foreign Office not aware whether Bevin will be handed copy of memorandum) and received assurance his support though Bevin stated his position in matter delicate since US will be required foot the bill.1

Sent Department 69, repeated Paris 154, London 173.

Minor
  1. The Department advised Athens on October 5 that in view of the presentation of the Greek memorandum, the Department was not sending to the Greek Ambassador the reply proposed in Gama 1282, September 15, p. 150 (telegrams 1415 and 1419, 868.20/10–148, 10–548).↩