868.00/5–1349: Telegram
The Chargé in Greece (Minor) to the Secretary of State
950. Embtel 923, May 11.1 Rountree and I were received by King last evening. I began conversation by referring to King’s commitment to Ambassador before departure to endeavor to avoid Cabinet crisis and said how much we had appreciated his endeavor to hold line and communicate with us before taking any action. Question has now been raised, I said, as to whether the present government is capable of carrying on under circumstances or whether change in personnel or nature of government is advisable. Matter has been carefully considered by Department and Ambassador in light prevailing circumstances both here and in US. We are strongly of the opinion that Cabinet crisis or radical change in nature Greek Government prior to or during Congressional hearings would have most undesirable effect. We could see, I declared, no circumstances which would make such change at present necessary. I added that any step taken in Greece which would be, rightly or wrongly, interpreted by world public opinion as being unconstitutional or leading in direction dictatorship would inevitably have harmful effect on Greece’s reputation abroad and would frustrate our effort show internal Greek situation in true light. I then suggested that King might wish to receive message directly from Ambassador Grady through Rountree who just returned from US. Rountree then went over much same ground and expressed Ambassador’s strong wish that Cabinet crisis be avoided at present time.
King expressed appreciation of our views and stated in clear terms that he has no intention of suggesting Cabinet changes in immediate future. He declared that there is at present no alarming circumstance which would require radical change and that it would appear present government is capable confronting situation. He inquired whether I agreed with this statement to which I replied in affirmative. He made rather pointed inquiry as to when Congressional hearings will be held and when they might reasonably be expected terminate. He made clear in rather stern language that in case Papagos is attacked he will step in personally at least with a statement to stop such “nonsense”.
I feel we may consider subject closed and will take no further action. It would do considerably more harm than good to bring other political leaders into discussion since question has apparently not gone beyond King.
- Not printed.↩