Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, Volume VI

868.00/12–1649: Telegram

The Chargé in Greece (Minor) to the Secretary of State

confidential

Athens, December 16, 1949—11 a. m.

2496. Embtel 2487, December 14.¹ I called on Prime Minister yesterday for one of our periodic talks, desiring particularly express our hope martial law and its attendant restrictions will be abandoned as rapidly as possible in order that Greece may resume full democratic procedures and enter pre-election period unfettered by measures which make difficult or impossible free expression of opinion. I stressed importance of revealing Greece to World in its true democratic light and thereby averting criticisms which are inevitable if Greeks show sign of retaining measures which would render free elections impossible. Prime Minister replied he was in full agreement and that government is moving in this direction. He admitted, however, that it is not easy to convince military persons along this line and suggested that I make these views known “elsewhere.”²

Prime Minister then quickly turned discussion to politics and said he wished to express his concern and that of most political leaders in Greece at possibility of Papagos entering politics.³ His objections may be summarized in following three points:

1. Papagos is essential in Army, the threat to Greece by no means having been eliminated.

2. His entry into politics would probably be interpreted as sharp swing to right and as paving way to military dictatorship. This would show Greece to world in bad light and might be used by Russia and satellites as pretext for further action against Greece.

3. It may come to be believed that King is backing Papagos in which case crown would become involved in internal politics to its detriment. King should remain aloof from all politics to maintain the high respect he has earned. Prime Minister said that while he himself does not believe King is involved in Papagos movement, the general impression can hardly fail to develop among public.⁴

In conclusion he read me sentence from Bismarck outlining danger inherent in introducing military mentality into politics. I replied, along lines last paragraph Embtel 2490, December 15,⁵ that these matters were for the Greeks to decide.

Later I saw Minister of Foreign Affairs on another subject and when conversation turned to politics Tsaldaris also expressed concern re Papagos entering politics. However, he based his objection on sole point that Papagos is irreplaceable in military establishment and cannot be spared for politics. He added that while the Americans understandably cannot express preferences in purely political matters, it is their right and even duty to see that military establishment into which they have put so much money is provided with effective leadership.

Minor

1. Not printed; it reported that Greek Minister for Public Order Rendis had refused permission to a former follower of the late dictator John Metaxas to hold a political rally in Athens. Rendis explained the ban in terms of the great internal turmoil in Greece and the continued existence of martial law. (868.00/12–1549)
2. Telegram 2559, December 27, from Athens, not printed, reported that the Greek Government had abolished martial law in the Athens area, Peloponnesus, and in nearly all Greek islands (868.00/12–2749).
3. In his telegram 2490, December 15, from Athens, not printed, Chargé Minor reported that Markezinis on December 13 urged King Paul to make every effort to induce Field Marshal Papagos to enter politics. Minor further reported that Papagos’ entry into politics was the principal Greek political issue currently being discussed and the Embassy’s position in the matter was being sought from all sides. Minor explained that when questioned, the Embassy was replying that questions relating to political parties and personalities were for the Greek people to resolve and that no indication as to American preference could be expected of the Embassy. (868.00/12–1549)
4. In his telegram 2582, December 29, from Athens, not printed, Ambassador Grady reported that King Paul had told an Embassy officer in categorical terms that Papagos would not stand for election or enter politics at “this time.” The King stated that about a week earlier he had so advised Papagos who had replied that he had come independently to the same conclusion. The King explained that he had carefully considered the merits of Papagos’ candidacy under current conditions and had decided that the disadvantages far outweighed the advantages. (868.00/12–2949)
5. See footnote 3, above.