868.20/9–2849: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Greece
Gama 54. Budget for remaining three qtrs FY 50 MAP Program for Greece soon to be submitted to Bur Budg will provide $106.4 mil [Page 429] for Army $7.9 mil for Navy, $15.7 mil for Air—a total of $130 mil. This amount plus $81 mil for Turkey will total $211 mil provided for under Title II MAP Authorizing Legis. This amt rep funds required for obligation during last three quarters FY 50. In terms of matériel Grk program has been developed against requirements outlined Dec 6, 1948 AMAG Budget, minus $20 mil cutback by Bur Budg last spring and excluding first quarter FY 50 Grk requirement (est at approx 37.9 mil dols) provided by interim appropriation.
Inasmuch as requirements set forth in AMAG Dec Budget have undoubtedly changed and in view success Operation Torch1 there is strong feeling in Bur Budg that $130 mil program outlined above cld be further reduced as much as $50 mil. However, insufficient data available here estimate how much of replacement and re-equipment program contemplated in previous budget nec to meet requirements for eventual 80,000 man Grk Armed Force contemplated para G Van Fleet’s L40452 and to what extent large items individual equipment and ammunition contemplated in previous budget have been met or are still required.
Ur full comments and recommendations requested soonest as to possibility making any such further reduction FY 50 budget, bearing in mind current levels of supply in Greece, planned strength Grk Armed Forces during FY 50 as recommended Amag 74,3 and estimated operational requirements during remainder this FY.
- The final Greek National Army operation in August 1949 during which the guerrilla forces were cleared from the Greek-Albanian frontier.↩
- Not printed.↩
- Not printed; it reviewed recent progress in reducing the size of the American Military Advisory Group in Greece and the Greek National Army (868.00(P)/9–2349).↩