Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, Eastern Europe; The Soviet Union, Volume IV

888.20/3–1248: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Greece

top secret

Washington, July 29, 1948—7 p. m.

1064. In view earlier Russian interest alleged Greek violations Italian Treaty (urdesp 308 March 12¹) use Dodecanese airfields by RHAF against bandits on islands would probably elicit Soviet protest and should therefore be avoided if not dictated by absolute military necessity.

In spite wording Art 14 para 2 Italian Treaty (urtel 1110 June 18²) Dept’s opinion is that victorious ally who has been awarded territory as result Allied victory should not be placed in less favorable position than defeated enemy. Military clauses Italian Treaty after specifying destruction of fortifications and prohibitions for new constructions, state in several places that “this prohibition does not include other types non-permanent fortifications or surface accommodations and installations designed meet only requirements of internal character and local defense of frontiers” (Articles 47 b, 48 b, 50 para 4, Italian Treaty). Dept feels therefore that Greece has equal right to use Dodecanese military installations to maintain internal order or defend frontiers.

Marshall

1. Not printed; it reported information from the British Ambassador in Greece that the Soviet Ambassador at London had sent a note, dated January 8, 1948, to the British Foreign Office making inquiry about implementation by the British Government of Article 14 of the Peace Treaty with Italy. The Article provided that the Dodecanese “shall be and shall remain demilitarized”, and about withdrawal of foreign troops, called for by the same Article.

   The British reply stated that responsibility for demilitarization of the islands rested with Greece and that British troops, the only foreign troops involved, had been withdrawn well in advance of the date stipulated in the treaty (868.20/3–1248).

2. Not printed.