501.BB Balkan/9–249: Telegram
The United States Representative on the United Nations Special Committee on the Balkans (Drew) to the Secretary of State
1759. Combal 479. From Drew. Reference Deptel 1416, August 29, 1949.1 There can be no question that key to future of war in Greece lies in elimination of threat from guerrillas who have found refuge in Albania. Their continued presence across border continues menace Greek security and will involve Greece and US in indefinite military and economic effort. Even though number involved may be smaller than original estimates, presence of any sizeable force will be equally serious.
However, I am not in agreement with desirability of making new tripartite démarche in Tirana as Greek Government has proposed. I recall complete ineffectiveness of démarche undertaken last September, although I concede circumstances have altered somewhat. I also have in mind Department’s objections to further démarche with regard to presence of Greek army prisoners in Albania as expressed in its telegram 1565 to Athens dated October 29, 1948,2 objections which I consider still valid. I agree with position, stated in that telegram that such action would by-pass UN and in present instance would be inconsistent with our oft-repeated policy of utilizing UN machinery in effort to find solution of Greek problem. Prospective early discussion of Greek case at GA and possibility that serious conciliatory efforts may be made there, suggest that timing of proposed démarche may be poor unless tied in in some way with such efforts.
Furthermore, I am not optimistic that recent developments will necessarily drive Albanian regime toward West. We should bear in mind that Russian infiltration is reportedly intense and probably sufficiently effective to prevent any serious wavering. It seems more likely to me that Cominform intervention may be stepped up in campaign against Tito from Albanian base.
If proposed démarche is made, I feel it should be in strongest possible terms but that no reference should be made to Free Albanian Committee. Indirect reference to it might be made in some such language as “continuation of such actions by the Albanian Government can only lead to stigmatizing the present regime as UN” representative [Page 395] of the Albanian people and as an outlaw group with no claim to membership in the community of nations”.
I further suggest that it is unrealistic to expect Albanian Government to undertake indefinite or protracted internment of several thousand Greek guerrillas. I believe practical measures should be suggested for their voluntary removal, either to Greece under satisfactory guarantees as to their treatment or to non-Balkan countries. It might be suggested that facilities of appropriate UN body or ICRC might be availed of by Albania to accomplish their removal.
I assume Department has given careful consideration to effect of proposed démarche on possible recommendation along similar lines by UNSCOB in its supplementary report to GA.3