868.00/9–2349: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Greece 1
1605. Dept informing Tsaldaris that while we understand he may be obliged make some statement in GA re Alb in view advanced publicity in Greece and in order satisfy Grk opinion, we hope this will be confined to general declaration along lines Greece will defend itself in event armed attack. Such general declaration shld be unobjectionable and might even have some psychological value in stressing importance solution Grk problem and in giving Alb and USSR some cause for reflection. On other hand categoric statement Greece will invade Alb if guerrillas permitted return might expose Greece to charge of aggressiveness, open protracted GA debate on applicability Art 51 this situation, or quickly be exposed as bluff by subsequent developments.
As you know, Dept considers any invasion of Alb wld be extremely unwise even from Grk point of view. Impossible foresee consequences such action and repercussions likely spread far beyond Balkans and be of most dangerous character. Therefore, despite recognition of great provocation which wld be produced by renewed guerrilla incursions from Alb, believe we must be absolutely firm in preventing Grk mil attack that country.
So long as Grk action not imminent we of course prefer confine ourselves to type of advice you have been giving and which Dept has given Grk Amb here, pointing out dangers to Greece of any drastic steps such as Grk officials have recently suggested publicly. However, if at any time it appears Grks are about to attack and normal dipl [Page 426] representations are insufficient to influence them, you shld, after consultation with ur Brit colleague and preferably in conjunction with him, immediately bring strongest pressure against Grk mil action until you have had opportunity consult ur Govt. If you consider it necessary, you may say that US wld be unable support Greece in aiiy UN Security Council case arising out of such action, that we wld be forced reconsider our entire policy toward Greece and that you will recommend ur Govt immediate cessation mil assistance to Greece.