868.20/6–848: Telegram
Governor Dwight P. Griswold to the Secretary of State
Amag 1081. I discussed with Van Fleet reduction Greek military aid recommended by House [Committee?] and can state unequivocally our belief any reduction would seriously jeopardize achievement American objectives Greece. Department will recall careful budget requests estimated Greek military aid requirements at 248,000,000 and this figure reduced prior submission Congress to 200,000,000 for Greece alone which considered absolute basic minimum. Anticipated 200,000,-000 appropriation has been apportioned to provide accelerated expenditure for increased Greek service ceilings during first part coming fiscal year to ensure maximum effectiveness against major concentrations guerrilla bands and on assumption their defeat next few months. Thereafter program calls for compensating reductions GNA and NDC strength, reduction navy personnel (within ceilings) and reduced US expenditures.
It must be remembered Greeks not fighting enemy army whose defeat will bring immediate peace but is [are] confronted by guerrilla warfare. Even annihilation of major concentrations will not prevent escape and circulation individuals and small groups of bandits who because of incredible terrain can pass almost anywhere at will unless [Page 104] strong efforts taken to ensure security of areas cleared by major actions. If this summer’s campaign fails to result in establishment security major part of Greece effect on AMAG objectives self-evident: (1) Greek people would be seized with despair which psychologically would destroy home economic recovery; (2) refugee problem would multiply with consequent financial, economic and psychological reactions; (3) reconstruction already accomplished and proposed would be largely nullified; and (4) Greece next summer would again have to increase its army and wage campaign of present scope which simply it cannot afford.
Security plans involve detailed searches areas for guerrilla groups and individuals, dumps and supplies; constant vigilance against infiltration by individuals or small groups; pursuit and destruction as rapidly as groups are discovered and if possible before they coalesce into larger bands. For these purposes substantial mobile forces must be held each area after clearing with specific responsibility for security in given sectors. In addition gendarmerie and special village defense units required for static protection and checking village infiltration. This type of active and intensive security work will have to continue for many months after defeat of major bandit concentrations before security problem can be left to gendarmerie as civil police function.
In addition while Greek Army will not be able seal border it will have to occupy many positions to minimize as far as possible new imports supplies, arms and guerrilla recruits.
Even if defeat major guerrilla concentrations should result in wholesale surrender and amnesty and even should northern neighbors abjure further aid it would not be possible to forego intensive security measures outlined.
Department may rest assured both Van Fleet and I will reduce US military aid expenditures and Greek expenditures for armed forces as rapidly and to maximum extent possible consistent protection American objectives. New Greek budget will actually provide as of 1 January arbitrary 25 percent reduction in rate expenditures all armed services available for 1 July to 31 December coupled with announcement needs will be met. While reduction this extent now appears impossible fulfillment it will give mission necessary control to compel all possible reductions. However, an army, navy or air force cannot be decreased and then increased as temporary conditions vary and retain any effectiveness. Schools and training instruction for example must be maintained and generally planned over a period of years rather than months. I repeat that Van Fleet and I believe 200,000,000 for Greek military aid program is minimum essential figure for coming [Page 105] fiscal year and that if reduced and so prevent necessary mopping up and security measures following defeat of major bands it may undo results this summer campaign just as failure establish security after area clearing operations a year ago resulted in necessity present campaign. It must be remembered also cost of military items much greater 1949 than 1948 as surplus stocks Great Britain and US are practically exhausted. Replacement airplanes for example now very expensive but essential since air power is advantage which must be exploited.
Finally, we believe any announcement this time of reduction Greek military aid could have serious adverse effect, GNA and civilian morale and stimulate guerrillas and satellite countries. Guerrillas might indeed endeavor avoid battle, retreating across border, regrouping and resuming operations in winter when Greek army weakened as result of cut.
With regard to alleged substantial “unobligated” balance fiscal 1948 funds USAGG has no knowledge of actual “unobligated” balance since this determined in Department Army but from USAGG viewpoint estimates of requisitions and of earmarked funds by 30 April constituted commitments totalling $210,000,000.
[President Truman, on June 12, 1948, delivered an address on the progress of world peace at the commencement exercises at the University of California, Berkeley; for the text of his address, including his observations on the situation in Greece, see Department of State Bulletin, June 20, 1948, pages 804, 805.]