Athens Embassy Files: Lot 59 F 48: “Top Secret 49–57”
Memorandum by the Ambassador in Greece (Peurifoy) to the Chief of the United States Joint Military Air Group in Greece (Frederick)1
top secret
[Athens,] August 24,
1951.
I should appreciate it if, in order to assist in supporting the American objective of maintaining political stability in Greece during and immediately after the forthcoming elections, you could take the following steps in relation to the Greek armed forces:
- 1.
- Take an early opportunity to point out to General Grigoropoulos and General Tsakalotos, particularly the latter, as I have pointed out to the King and the Prime Minister,2 the concern with which we regard measures calculated to influence the attitude of the armed forces and their leaders in the elections. You should emphasize the very unfortunate impression which would be created in the United States and elsewhere by any attempt to prevent the soldiers from voting by holding maneuvers or training on or about election day or by any other device of this kind. In this connection you might refer to the unfortunate effect created by General Tsakalotos’ memorandum published in Athenaiki, which gave the misleading impression that he and other generals opposed voting by the Army in the present election, whereas it is your understanding that their recommendation [Page 502] referred only to future elections. In view of the misunderstanding created by General Tsakalotos’ memorandum, it would be desirable that a circular be sent by the General Staff to all corps and division commanders instructing them to see to it that the soldiers are in no way prevented from voting.
- 2.
- You may also wish to point out to General Grigoropoulos and Tsakalotos that, while the ostensible purpose of the measures taken by General Tsakalotos during recent weeks has been to remove or neutralize political influences in the Army, the actual effect has been to create the widespread impression that the High Command has been using its position to oppose and defeat one of the political parties. Such activities cannot help but jeopardize the morale and unity of the armed forces at a time when it is of the utmost importance that they be maintained at their highest pitch.
- 3.
- Having made these points to Generals Grigoropoulos and Tsakalotos, I believe you should take every possible precaution to see to it that these recommendations are not ignored. Specifically, you and your staff should be alert to observe and, if possible, forestall any sanctions against any of the officers whose views on soldier voting and related matters differed from those of General Tsakalotos. Most important of all, I hope that your officers in the field will watch for and report immediately to you any indications that substantial units of the Army are, through one device or another, about to be deprived of the possibility of voting, and that they will, insofar as possible, observe the actual situation on election day.