Foreign Relations of the United States, 1950, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, Volume V

781.00/5–1850: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Greece

secret

Washington, August 19, 1950—2 p. m.

513. Dept approves line set forth Embtel 549,¹ particularly conditions that crisis be of short duration and solution be found within constitutional framework with parliamentary support. Dept gratified apparent willingness Palace develop solution through normal parliamentary means. Proposed representation outlined by Metaxas appears to be as good as might be expected. There is apparently no thought that Plastiras cld head new govt, and Dept believes any new govt under Plastiras wld, in fact, be undesirable. Any allegation US intervention will be minimized if Emb can avoid press statement as suggested last para Embtel 549.

If no satisfactory solution evolves from Parliament as constituted, we wld find no insuperable objection prompt elections which might provide new and firmer parliamentary base for effective governmental action in uncertain times ahead. In this connection if elections inevitable it wld seem desirable, in Dept’s tentative view, to use strongest possible Emb influence secure adoption majority system. We feel any new elections under proportional representation system might tend produce some polarization to right and left, but that no one party or effective coalition wld emerge to form stable Govt.

Although Plastiras Govt demonstrated certain laxness in security matters, it appears this has been exploited out of all proportion by opposition for polit purposes and that extraordinary measures, such as “Papagos solution” cannot be justified at this time. We consider that Papagos can make greatest contribution at present through continued firm leadership in maintaining and increasing efficiency Grk armed forces. If, however, Palace eventually decides Papagos shld enter polit arena this, in our opinion, shld be effected through participation in elections.

Even though Papagos were accepted as supra-party premier, he wld be identified with Palace and his principal advisers wld undoubtedly be ardent royalists. Under these circumstances there wld be tremendous temptation to effect any subsequent change in Govt through leverage of an appeal to latent anti-royalist sentiment within Greece. Obviously KKE in position profit most shld issue of Crown again become paramount in Grk politics. Resort to Papagos in extra-parliamentary solution wld tend divorce support from liberal republican elements which may in long run represent best hope for Greece. We suspect Papagos Govt might be least well-recd in northern border areas where reconstruction so necessary and subversion easy. Although public opinion here and abroad might accept emergence Papagos Govt more readily at this time in light present internati circumstances, we feel propaganda reaction of Cominform and possible reaction certain left liberal elements in US opinion should not be underestimated. Moreover Emb reports indicate lack broad popular support in Greece this course.

Dept interested in fate of EPEK deputies in any new coalition and to what extent Tsouderos, if he adheres to new coalition, cld bring EPEK deputies with him. We hope any new solution wld not throw left center republican sentiment represented by EPEK into arms of Democratic Camp. We suspect Plastiras policy attempting reunite Grk people has considerable appeal and shld, in fact, to extent consonant with security requirements, be cardinal element in any attempt to eliminate conditions under which communism thrives.

Papandreou and Tsouderos have not yet visited Dept officials.² Secy and Under Secy were unable accept luncheon invitation Grk Emb Aug 23 and although Papandreou has requested an appt with Under Secy in next few days, is unlikely this can be arranged.³ McGhee, however, will undoubtedly see Papandreou and Tsouderos.

Ur comments any foregoing Dept views invited.

Acheson

1. Supra.
2. On August 18, Minister of Coordination Emmanuel Tsouderos met with Francis F. Lincoln of the Office of Greek, Turkish, and Iranian Affairs, Carter N. De Paul, Jr., Chief, Greece, Turkey Branch, European Program Division, Office of the Assistant Administrator for Program, Economic Cooperation Administration (ECA), and with other ECA officials, to discuss the Greek budget for fiscal year 1951 (memorandum of conversation, August 18, by Mr. Lincoln, not printed, 881.10/8–1850).
3. No record of such a meeting was found in Department of State files. Mr. George Papandreou left New York on August 22 for Athens because of the Greek Government crisis.