290. Telegram From the Embassy in Greece to the Department of State 1
1211. Paris USRO for Gray. When we learned yesterday from Prime Minister that Foreign Ministry was about to deliver to Embassy formal note raising question of privileges and immunities enjoyed by American personnel in Greece, it was decided to make available immediately to Karamanlis the statement contained Deptel 10412 (see paragraph 2a Embtel 11363).
Prime Minister undertook discuss matter with Foreign Minister before taking any action. Although Karamanlis not conversant with technical aspects question, we gathered from his remarks that he had understood that prospective negotiations would embrace entire scope AMAG agreement of 1947.
Today other Embassy officers and I have discussed matter with Foreign Minister and Grivas, Chief U.S. Section, and we found that they had strong views that prospective negotiations should include all American personnel. We endeavored, I believe, with some success to dispel their misconceptions in this regard, emphasizing that by so widening the question they were introducing complications and delays which would not be in the interest of either government. We stressed that if what they desired was quick progress on the most important sector of the problem, then the best way to proceed would be along the lines indicated in the statement contained Deptel 1041.
[Page 553]Deptel 1041 expressed hope that instructions to negotiate would be transmitted in one week. That was one month ago. Developments reported herein make it painfully clear that unless we can get ourselves into a formal negotiating posture in this matter within the next few days, we may have to face up to great pressure for a revision of status American personnel here far broader and more damaging than that envisaged in Deptel 1041.