868.00/5–2648: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Greece
665. Grk Amb has informed Dept that newspaper stories reporting Griswold’s press conference immediately upon arrival US have been interpreted to mean that US has lost confidence in present coalition Govt and hopes to see it fall when Parliament reconvenes. In order correct this erroneous impression Griswold has sent following letter to Grk Amb:
“I have learned from officials of Dept with whom you have discussed’ matter that some of my remarks in recent press conferences have been interpreted by Grk press in such way as to cause embarrassment to Grk Govt. May I assure you that it was not my intention to imply [Page 97] any lack of confidence in present Grk Govt or a desire to see it reconstituted.
As you know, it has always been view of US Govt that composition of Grk Govt is internal Grk matter and we welcomed decision of all loyal Grk parties to lay aside during time of national crisis their partisan differences of opinion in order support present coalition Govt.
In referring to difficulties which present Govt may face in Parliament when it reconvenes, I was merely endeavoring to inform American correspondents of what was being said almost daily in Grk press. It certainly was not my intention to indicate that such developments were either inevitable or desirable, nor did I intend my remarks to be taken as adverse criticism of Grk Govt.
I hope, Mr. Amb, that this explanation will remove any misgivings which may have been caused by recent newspaper stories reporting my discussions with correspondents.”1
- Chargé Rankin informed the Department, on May 26, that “While Embassy realizes that Griswold’s remarks were intended to inform US press as to present situation in Greece, and contained in fact many favorable statements, it is important to note that local effect has been unintentionally to undermine further already rather precarious position of government. In absence of instructions to contrary, Embassy is losing no opportunity to assure members of government that US policy in support present coalition has not changed”, (telegram 913, 868.00/5–2648)↩