875.00/9–1449
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Secretary of State1
| Participants: | Mr. Bevin |
| Ambassador Sir Oliver Franks2 | |
| Sir Gladwyn Jebb3 | |
| Sir Roger Makins4 | |
| Mr. Barclay5 | |
| Mr. Acheson | |
| Ambassador Jessup6 | |
| Mr. McGhee7 | |
| Mr. Thompson8 | |
| Mr. Achilles9 | |
| Mr. Satterthwaite10 |
With reference to Albania, Bevin said the British had followed a policy of unrelenting hostility to the Hoxha Government. Did we [Page 415] think it possible to lure Hoxha along the path Tito had followed if favorable circumstances should arise? He said the British had not considered this worthwhile, but thought we were inclined to take the contrary view. I said I did not think that we did. The differences revolve around whether we should take more active steps to make trouble for Hoxha. I said we had been trying to quiet the Greeks to dissuade them from precipitating a premature crisis in Albania, and that we thought the Albanian problem should be taken up in the UN instead. If we are not too eager, so that Russia would not attempt to exact a price, the Assembly might try to arrive at a solution which would result in interning the Guerillas or putting them under UN supervision. Bevin asked whether we would basically agree that we try to bring down the Hoxha Government when the occasion arises? I said yes, but if this were precipitated now, the Greeks and Yugoslavs might touch off serious trouble. Bevin agreed that we have to be careful or Russia will intervene. He asked what government would replace Hoxha if he is thrown out? Are there any kings around that could be put in? Mr. Thompson said a free Albanian Committee has been set up and would have a voice in the Government. Bevin was skeptical of the free Albanian Committee as a possible future government and said he thought a person we could handle was needed. Thompson said we had taken no decision with respect to a possible future government. The situation was still too fluid. We would have to reconsider it on a day to day basis and take advantage of any opportunities which may arise. Bevin said he thought Albania should be continually studied by US and UK experts.
Bevin then asked our opinion of bringing up the Greek and Albanian dispute for discussion among the Big 4. I replied I thought the Greeks would bring up the border situation in the General Assembly. I expressed the opinion that we should listen to what the Russians might have to say. If the Russians are looking to liquidate the situation, there are dangers in our taking the lead. If we are anxious, the price goes up. If the situation is propitious maybe the UN might suggest talks. Bevin inquired whether I meant the Big Four. I said I did not mean the Council of Foreign Ministers—I meant the UN representatives of the Big Four plus Greece, Albania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia. Bevin said we had to be very careful about accusing Russia about Greece, as there seemed to be no evidence of direct Soviet intervention, but indicated acceptance of my suggestion without, however, indicating any enthusiasm. Bevin thought there was a possibility Stalin wanted to write off the Greek situation as a bad job, as long as the discussions about it were not handled through [Page 416] any agency in which a veto could be exercised. Bevin then expressed his annoyance at Evatt’s maneuvers and said he would ask Cadogan to continue discussion with Jessup. Bevin said now that things were going better in Greece, we should avoid any more slips, as they might affect the Middle East.
- British Foreign Secretary Bevin was in Washington at this time in connection with the First Session of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Council. This conversation on Albania and Greece appears to have been part of a longer meeting held in Secretary of State Acheson’s office beginning at about noon during which a number of other topics were also considered. For the record of the conversation on Yugoslavia, see vol. v. p. 955.↩
- British Ambassador in the United States.↩
- British Deputy Under Secretary of State; Superintending Under Secretary, United Nations Department, British Foreign Office.↩
- British Deputy Under Secretary of State.↩
- Roderick E. Barclay, Private Secretary to Foreign Secretary Bevin.↩
- Philip C. Jessup, United States Ambassador at Large.↩
- George C. McGhee, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and African Affairs.↩
- Llewellyn E. Thompson, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs.↩
- Theodore C. Achilles, Director, Office of Western European Affairs.↩
- Livingston L. Satterthwaite, Chief, Division of British Commonwealth Affairs.↩