781.00/11–351: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Greece 1
2187. Emb’s contd fine reporting apprising Dept difficult post-electoral polit situation appreciated. Although we do not wish prejudge newly installed govt, your reports indicate its lack cohesion and unity in purpose, coupled with polit maneuvers going on between Libs and Rally, gives rise serious doubts that it has real prospect effectiveness and durability. Dept views with grave concern possible repetition polit doldrums as occurred first half 1950 in what is now even more crucial period. Wld appear that most likely indigenous factor which might strengthen present govt wld be vehement Papagos opposition, which might conceivably result in closer EPEK–Lib bond. Two serious hazards seem inherent in this forced union: At best EPEK–Lib Parl Majority extremely weak, which condition wld inevitably be reflected in its adm. As Emb points out, such union although not permanent might lead to impasse in new elections or result in vesting balance of power in extreme left.
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In connection possible new coalition under present Parl, Lib–Rally combination wld have advantage real Parl strength. Moreover as Emb has pointed out a combination of these two elements wld be desirable objective even if new election on majority system were to be held. Dept presumes that in any event, there is little possibility for either EPEK–Lib–Rally or EPEK–Rally coalition in present Parl.
[Page 518]Dept thus concurs, that if obvious difficulties cld be overcome and if they cld be brought together, Papagos–Venizelos coalition wld afford best possibility stable govt under present circumstances. …
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- Drafted by Dixon, approved for transmission by Rountree.↩