868.00/9–2849: Telegram
The Ambassador in Greece (Grady) to the Secretary of State
1949. ReDeptel 1604, September 23.1 Embassy officers have called on Prime Minister and War Minister to stress importance immediate passage satisfactory leniency law. They confide that yesterday they persuaded General Papagos to agree to amendment leniency law to provide all court martial death sentences passed on civilians be reviewed by specially created civilian pardon boards.2 They state that as Rendis and Melas also favor amendment no doubt of its inclusion in law which they insist will be enacted this week.
War Minister agrees press for further amendment providing immediate restoration civil rights on release from Makronnisos organization3 and for revision articles 6 and 19. He expressed confidence martial law could soon be lifted Crete and most Aegean islands, but said this not yet feasible Peloponnesus and other parts Greece. He firmly opposed civilian control Makronnisos organization, a matter Embassy considers of minor importance.
Diomedes, Canellopoulos and Melas seem to realize importance this subject and I am hopeful of immediate action.
- Same as telegram Gadel 9, September 23, to New York, p. 424.↩
- Telegram 1953, September 28, from Athens, not printed, reported that all Athens newspapers that day published an announcement by Prime Minister Diomedes that a special section of the Supreme Council of Pardons would be established to examine all court-martial death sentences against civilians (868.00/9–2849). On September 30 Prime Minister Diomedes announced that as of that day the execution of all death sentences would be suspended until reviewed by the Council of Pardons. The action was taken in conformity with draft clemency legislation introduced in the Greek Parliament the same day. The clemency law was subsequently enacted on October 6.↩
- A detention and rehabilitation center for captured guerrilla soldiers.↩