Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, The Near East and Africa, Volume V

781.00/8–2251: Telegram

The Ambassador in Greece (Peurifoy) to the Department of State

secret

Athens, August 22, 1951—5 p. m.

890. I expressed our concern over the recent polit developments to PriMin yesterday, assured him we took decidely dim view of apparent attempts to deprive army from voting. …

I told Venizelos frankly that we were much disturbed by Gen Tsakalotos memo (remytel 870, Aug 21)¹ because:

(1) I had learned from Gen Frederick that the special training exercises or maneuvers referred to by Tsakalotos had not been previously scheduled;

(2) Tsakalotos statement that under electoral law, “the soldiers, especially those of the infantry, would not be technically able to vote” seemed incomprehensible in view clear provision for soldiers voting in electoral law;

(3) publication of a secret mil document in local press tended to foster belief that Greek mil security had diminished considerably since Papagos’ resignation.

Venizelos answered that he too found Tsakalotos memo somewhat obtuse, but that he understood General referred to insignificant number of men along Bulgarian frontier. In any case we cld rest assured that there wld be no skulduggery and that soldiers wld vote as originally planned. He then declared that he wld have method of document’s publication fully investigated.

Here I interjected that I wld save him trouble and expense of investigation by telling him without further ado that his close associate Napoleon Zervas had sought to peddle secret memo to Vima and perhaps other papers and failing had published it in his own sheet Athinaiki. His response to this was a rather shamefaced “I am afraid you are right.” I then said pointedly that I understood Zervas’ friend Boulis Metaxas had returned.

Venizelos said that he had opposed Sedgwick interview and considered its publication untimely although he fully agreed with its content (re Embtel 839, Aug 18).² I mentioned fact that he had assumed full responsibility for this as he had several other controversial moves by Palace. This he ruefully admitted, but added categorically that King’s polit activities wld cease immed.

Venizelos said he understood there was good chance of cut in ECA aid to Greece. If this were true he pled that no announcement be made until after elections since voters might hold him personally responsible. I told him that matter now under discussion in Congress but that I doubted very much any definite action wld be taken prior to Sept 9.

Although our conversation was friendly I made our concern with current trends eminently clear to Venizelos. In view of apparent determination in Palace circles to beat Papagos at all costs and Venizelos extreme reluctance to resist these forces it might be desirable for Dept to express our concern at turn of events here to some reliable Amer newspapermen. Here I might add that for some inexplicable reason Greek polits seem to fear criticism in US press more than anything else in world.

Peurifoy

1. Not printed; it reported that the daily newspaper Athinaiki, controlled by General Zervas, leader of the Greek National Party, had published on August 21 the full text of a memorandum dated August 4 from General Tsakalotos to the King recommending that the Greek armed forces not vote in the forthcoming national elections (981.61/8–2151).
2. Not printed.