Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Eastern Europe; Soviet Union; Eastern Mediterranean, Volume VIII

711.56381/8–3153: Telegram

No. 451
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Greece¹

secret

Washington, September 18, 1953—2:20 p.m.

960. Noforn. State–Defense message. ReEmbtel 663² final para re Greek plan seek parliamentary approval expurgated form Agreement. Agreement for military facilities we seek with Greeks actually constitute arrangements in implementation Article III NAT which treaty already ratified and registered with UN. We will not submit Agreement for Senate consent ratification here or register with UN and strongly hope Greeks will not do so. Should Greeks seek parliamentary approval, question US ratification would undoubtedly be raised publicly here and probably stimulate undesirable public discussion. Submission Greek Parliament would likewise invite UN controversy and elsewhere re UN registration (Deptel 725³ para E), in turn raising question other agreements US has or seeking about which are varying degrees public awareness. Certain aspects these arrangements cannot be made public for military security reasons and in many cases facilities arrangements contain provisions which if known would create political difficulties domestically for other governments concerned. In certain instances revelation existence such arrangements would increase East-West tension and render host country position more vulnerable. Other governments have insisted on secrecy arrangements for these reasons.

Presentation abridged agreement Greek Parliament would inevitably provoke debate and probing in Parliament and press speculation as to US military program resulting possible undesirable misunderstanding of further revelation substance agreement.

Embassy requested urgently explain Greeks above views and press strongly for abandonment plan present facilities agreement to Parliament. We consider most important no public discussion be permitted concerning these agreements. However, should Greeks be adamant re submission Parliament, we would not wish press matter to point of jeopardizing successful conclusion of negotiations. Furthermore if Greeks insist you will be authorized yield but we would wish discuss with Greeks form and timing submission to Parliament. In lieu specific parliamentary ratification or approval government might seek enabling legislation or other form parliamentary authorization for Executive Branch conclude type agreement which we seek. This form parliamentary sanction could be accomplished without revealing substance or nature our proposed agreement. Ratification SOF could provide natural opportunity for such legislation without attracting attention. Greece now in position ratify SOF. Ratification SOF however does not itself constitute enabling authority station troops in that country. Therefore Parliament might pass enabling legislation concurrently with SOF ratification composed of simple language roughly along following lines: “Prime Minister authorized permit reception foreign forces, civilian components and dependents, and arrange for installations for their reception and use as might be required in implementation Article III NAT”. Should this line be followed, wording should be developed carefully and fully agreed between us.

Either without parliamentary action or with it on abridged agreement Greek Government may wish discuss agreement appropriate members Parliament or opposition party. We would have no objections if done on need-to-know basis and would like be informed if such action taken.

Report earliest.

Smith

1. Drafted by Dixon and cleared with Richards, Charles E. Rogers (RA), Yingling, Admiral Smith (Defense). Donald D. Kennedy (SOA), and Barbour. Repeated to Rome for Maffitt and Alpern, to London for CINCNELM, to Bonn for CINCEUR and Satterthwaite, to Wiesbaden for USAFE, to Heidelberg for USAREUR, and to Valletta for Paul E. Paddock, Jr.
2. Dated Aug. 31, telegram 663 reported that the Greek Government insisted on presenting the general agreement at least in expurgated form to Parliament and that it might be dangerous for the United States to urge prolonged delay of ratification. The Embassy in Athens hoped that secrecy could be maintained for at least some weeks with Greek cooperation. (711.56381/8–3153)
3. Supra.