250. Telegram From the Embassy in Belgium to the Department of State0
825. Deptel 922.1ICFTU tells us $25,000 appropriated from solidarity fund for Greek GSEE as initial step in aid program which will be given under “most stringent conditions” including efforts reform dues structure, reconstruction GSEE along conventional union lines, new approach [Page 642] collective bargaining and “disentanglement” from government. The $25,000 for immediate use paying bills but as with all subsequent aid it must be matched “drachma for drachma” by GSEE and will be dispensed under supervision of yet unnamed ICFTU representative who must be satisfied matching GSEE funds come from union sources.
ICFTU does not envision attempt call new congress GSEE but representative will work toward bringing Theodorou group and others back into GSEE in interest building strong unified free movement. ICFTU’s Malles and Millard say no one has any illusions about quality of Makris but board members and Irving Brown agreed no other course at this time but to try work with him under very strict supervision. They say ICFTU of course will make every effort decrease or eliminate Communist influence GSEE and offer reassurance that “every step” taken ICFTU will be made with this in mind. ICFTU plans reassess situation March 1959.
ICFTU leaders recognize Greek Government belief it can control Communist labor under present subsidy system but they charge this only temporary at best and that better way defeat Communists is promote independent effective union movement along lines ICFTU program. Millard says that throughout lengthy GSEE discussions Irving Brown performance “excellent” and while disagreed on certain points he generally backed program as drawn by Millard. “Disentanglement” was term used by Brown throughout board session, referring to reduction government control unions, according to Malles. British TUC’s Tewson and ICFTU President Geijer went along only reluctantly with program.
Millard hopes Greek Government will take friendly view ICFTU efforts and expressed interest higher level discussion GSEE issues with US Government representatives in hope enlisting US support “selling” to Greek Government ICFTU views regarding “disentaglement”. [2-1/2 lines of source text not declassified]