781.00/8–450
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Officer in Charge of Greek Affairs (Anschuetz)
Subject: General Van Fleet’s Impressions of the Current Greek Situation
| Participants: | Mr. McGhee—Assistant Secretary, NEA |
| Lt. General Van Fleet—Commanding General, Second Army | |
| Mr. Rountree—Director, GTI1 | |
| Lt. Colonel Ford—Greek Desk, Operations Division, G–3, Department of the Army2 | |
| Mr. Anschuetz—Officer in Charge, Greek Affairs3 |
Summary
General Van Fleet agreed that in light of the current international situation, Greek authorities should be permitted to call up additional military classes without further demobilization of existing forces. The General was confident of the effectiveness of the Greek forces in the event of a Bulgarian attack on Greece. He suggested that in this event the US should provide only logistic support and that the UK should be prevailed upon to provide additional forces if necessary. The General expressed frank dislike for the Plastiras Government which, in his opinion, is being infiltrated with communist sympathizers. He believes that Venizelos, although weak, might be the man to head a new government, and that Marshal Papagos is competent to solve the political problems which would confront him if he were Prime Minister. Mr. McGhee said that the Department had approved Ambassador Grady’s policies in Greece. The Korean attack, however, had now altered the situation. The Department has developed serious reservations concerning the activities of the Plastiras Government and is presently considering alternative solutions. The conversation opened and closed with Mr. McGhee’s congratulating the General for his outstanding performance in Greece.4
- William M. Rountree was the Acting Director of GTI.↩
- Lt. Col. Blair A. Ford.↩
- Norbert L. Anschuetz was the Acting Officer in Charge of Greek Affairs.↩
- Secretary of State Dean G. Acheson sent a letter of commendation dated August 24 to Lt. Gen. James A. Van Fleet, Commanding General, Second Army, thanking him for his “outstanding services … as Chief of the United States military mission in Greece.” Lt. Gen. Van Fleet’s reply of September 19 to Secretary of State Acheson expressed appreciation for “your kind and generous words thanking me for my recent services in Greece.” In addition, a memorandum of August 24 by Secretary of State Acheson for the President recommended that the President also send a letter of commendation to Lt. Gen. Van Fleet for his services in Greece. (091.81/8–2450) No indication was found in Department of State files of the President’s action on this recommendation.↩