868.01/1–248
The Secretary of State to the Greek Ambassador (Dendramis)
Dear Mr. Ambassador: I have read with interest the memorandum transmitted to me under cover of your letter of January 2, 1948 (No. 163 [I 63])1 and have given careful consideration to the views of your Government contained therein with respect to the situation created by the recent announcement of the formation of a guerrilla Communist “government” in Greece.
In the light of my Government’s past and continuing interest in assisting Greece to maintain its territorial integrity and political independence, you may be assured that we are giving most urgent and serious study to the implications of this announcement, as well as to the position of the United States in the event that any country should extend recognition and assistance to the Markos junta. The views of this Government that any such recognition not only would be contrary to the principles of the United Nations Charter but would also have serious international implications have already been publicly stated. In addition, American representatives have transmitted these views to the foreign offices of Yugoslavia, Bulgaria and Eumania, as well as informally to appropriate officials in other countries.2
Since the despatch of your letter, as you know, an additional allocation of funds to the military program has been approved which will permit increases in the strength of Greek armed forces as requested by your Government. General Livesay and competent officers of his staff are conducting a detailed investigation to determine whether further measures or additional equipment are necessary in order that the Greek military establishment may be able to overcome armed rebels who are seeking to deprive Greece of its independence as a sovereign state. Under the circumstances, it is the opinion of my Government that the destruction of guerrilla forces and the early establishment of internal security are of paramount importance to the future of Greece, since they are the necessary preliminaries to any permanent recovery of the country. It is essential that all the efforts of Greece on the [Page 33] political and economic levels should be concentrated on this objective. Patriotism of your political leaders and willingness of all Greek citizens to make the necessary sacrifices to achieve urgent economic reforms and political solidarity are required now as never before.
My Government is urgently exploring possible future steps which might be taken to meet changing circumstances, and I wish to assure you that any course of action which may be decided upon will be inaugurated only after consultation with the Greek Government. Also, in order that our policies should be completely coordinated, it is my earnest desire that the Greek Government give this Government the opportunity of prior discussion and exchange of views before initiating any new action in this regard either within or outside the framework of the United Nations.
Faithfully yours,