Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, Volume VI

501.A Summaries/5–1449: Telegram

The United States Representative at the United Nations (Austin) to the Secretary of State

secret

New York, May 12, 1949—1:49 a. m.

586. Daily Classified Summary No. 94.¹ Evatt conciliation talks. Confirming remarks made earlier by Sarper (Turkey), Atyeo (Australia)² told USUN that at meeting with Alba, Bulg, and Yugo Reps May 6 GA President Evatt had been very severe with Alb. When Evatt had presented his new proposals³ to Reps of these three countries according to Atyeo Alb raised question of formal renunciation by Greece of Northern Epirus. Evatt stated Alb Rep was being very “silly” and “foolish” in making this suggestion. Again he indicated he would not be tool in forcing Grk Del to give such formal renunciation.

Evatt stated further Atyeo continued that Alb Rep cld hardly expect more than what was being offered since Evatt declared that phrase “territory belonging to” covered point at issue. Atyeo confirmed that Yugo Member was stronger even than Alb Rep in insisting that Greece was entirely at fault and that Grk Del shld give firm renunciation of Grk claim to Northern Epirus. Atyeo quoted Evatt to effect that he had told Yugo he did not care hear anymore of this kind of propaganda and did not expect to be instrument working against Grks in this matter.

Atyeo said Evatt planned make statement on matter to May 13 Plenary and if Grks replied in affirmative Evatt would pin responsibility where it belonged namely on Albania.⁴ Atyeo thought it would be very effective if Grks would pay appropriate tribute to Evatt’s work when they present their affirmative reply; Atyeo commented he intended return Greece about June 1.

After conversation with USUN May 11 Sarper said he was convinced Alb alleged that there was no distinction between phrase “territory belonging to” and phrase “its territory” as preferred by Grk Govt and Del. Sarper said he would see Dendramis (Greece) and urge him to accept fully Evatt formula in view of problem. Sarper agreed it would be tragedy for Grks to lay themselves open to any charge about possible failure in Evatt talks.

Earlier same day Dendramis said he had talked by telephone with Tsaldaris and latter as yet had been unable make any further change in Grk reply on this subject since Tsaldaris felt he had to take matter up with Council of Ministers. Dendramis said he was still under instructions therefore to present Greek reply as it stood although here might be some possibility of change in view Department’s cable to Athens.⁵ If there were no change Dendramis would proceed as planned and present to Evatt draft written communication already prepared which is complimentary to Evatt and very conciliatory.⁶

Austin

1. These daily summaries, prepared by the United States Mission at the United Nations in New York, reviewed the most significant events of the previous day in the various organs and agencies of the United Nations as well as other important information reaching the United States Mission.
2. Sam L. Atyeo of the Australian Department of External Affairs was serving as Alternate Australian Representative to the United Nations General Assembly and also as Secretary of the Conciliation Committee of which Evatt was Chairman. Atyeo was also Australian Representative on the United Nations Special Committee on the Balkans.
3. Regarding the draft Albanian-Greek agreement proposed by Evatt and referred to here, see footnote 1 to telegram 696, May 11 to Athens, supra.
4. Evatt eventually issued a statement on the work of the Conciliation Committee on May 19; see the editorial note, p. 321.
5. Presumably the reference here is to telegram 696, May 10 to Athens, supra.
6. On May 12 Greek Ambassador Dendramis called upon Evatt and presented a note of May 11 from the Greek Government to the Conciliation Committee expressing Greek acceptance of the draft Albanian-Greek agreement proposed earlier by Evatt. The Greek Government asked for a minor drafting change in one paragraph of the draft agreement involving the substitution of the phrase “its territory” for the phrase “territory belonging to it”. Telegram 589, May 13, from New York, not printed, reported that Ambassador Dendramis informed the United States Mission that Evatt had been clearly pleased with the Greek note and was not at all unhappy about the proposed drafting change (501.A Summaries/5–1349). Greek Embassy Counselor Economou-Gouras called at the Department of State on May 13 to present a copy of the May 11 Greek note to Evatt and to report on the friendly nature of the Evatt-Dendramis meeting of May 12 (501.BB Balkan/5–1249). For further information on the Greek note of May 11, see the editorial note, p. 321.