868.00/5–1849: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Greece
749. Eyes only for Chargé. Re urtels 954, May 131 and 982, May 18,2 fol info provided for your eyes only pending agreement with Brit on transmitting it to Sophoulis and Tsaldaris on top secret basis. On basis fol info, you can of course deny reports such as urtel 982 and in other respects give gen assurance to Grks that we are not negotiating on Grk matters without Grk participation and that subject has not at any point been mentioned for CFM consideration. Hope to clear with Brit shortly authorization to inform Grk Govt.
[Here follows a summary record of the Rusk–McNeil–Gromyko conversations of April 26, May 4, and May 14. For the record of the [Page 323] first two conversations and the available information on the third, see pages 301, 303, and 320.]
We hope Grk question will not arise during Paris CFM mtg.3 If nevertheless brought up we will listen to whatever is said avoiding direct rebuff to Russians but we will keep Grks informed of developments land we will not engage in any substantive talks on future of Greece without Grk participation.
US is adhering to policy laid down at some length by Pres Truman in Berkeley speech Jun 11 1948 in which he stated that “situation in Greece requires no special negotiation or discussion or conference” and that “if Soviet genuinely desires make contribution to peace and recovery in world it can prove it in Greece”.4 Important to avoid publicity which cld undermine morale Grk forces and compromise whatever hope for peace may lie in delicate contacts with Soviets. Although Drew Pearson has somehow been able broadcast distorted version of talks their details and fact they have really taken place are known here to only a few essential individuals on top secret basis. When cleared, we will give substance this tel personally to Dendramis in order obviate need for cables on subject between Grk Fonoff and Grk Emb here.
Grady returns Athens next week and will discuss development with Grk officials.
McNeil’s remarks during Gromyko talks generally paralleled Rusk’s and will presumably be communicated to Grks by Brit Amb when clearance obtained.
- Not printed; it reported that both Greek Deputy Prime Minister Diomedes and Permanent Under Secretary Pipinelis had told Chargé Minor of their concern lest Greek interests be sacrificed to the Communists as part of a general European settlement. Of particular concern to the Greeks was the possibility of a Great Power settlement of the Greek problem which would allow the Soviet Union to interfere in Greek internal affairs (868.00/5–1349).↩
- Not printed; it reported that the Athens newspaper Eleftheria carried an article regarding an alleged American compromise Greek settlement which had been discussed by Rusk and Gromyko (868.00/5–1849).↩
- Reference here is to the forthcoming Sixth Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers, held at Paris, May 23 to June 20. For documentation on the session, see vol. iii, pp. 856 ff.↩
- The quotations are from President Truman’s Commencement Address at the University of California, June 12, 1948; for the text, see Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States S. Truman, 1948 (Washington: United States Government Printing Office, 1964), pp. 336–340.↩