Office of the Historian

256. Telegram From the Embassy in Greece to the Embassy in Belgium0

Athens, February 23, 1959, 3 p.m.

13. 1. ICFTU representative Levin examining Greek trade union situation, plans fly Brussels February 25 for three or four days consultation. Asked Embassy ascertain whereabouts Irving Brown and transmit message he anxious see him and can be reached via Israeli Mission Brussels.

2. Levin has achieved remarkable understanding of situation in three weeks. He has:

a)
Resisted pressure from Makris to blast Greek Government for its failure turn over labor funds.
b)
Recognized that Schevenel’s October visit left labor situation in complete mess.
c)
Come to conclusion Makris thoroughly unreliable and cooperating secretly with Communists.
d)
In addition conferring with Markis established working relations with dissidents, despite Makris objection.
e)
Been independently working on scheme to reunify trade union movement along same lines as advocated by Embassy.
f)
Obtained dissident agreement to meet with GSEE.

3. GSEE executive will meet today to decide whether they will participate in joint meeting. Levin will attend to argue in favor. If they agree there will be joint meeting tomorrow. In any case Levin will leave for Brussels following day.

4. Dissidents have put following unassailable proposition to Levin: a) They are prepared return to GSEE if Makris will begin take action immediately under existing GSEE constitutional provision to expel Communist-dominated unions at all levels and to require all trade union members to sign statement they support ICFTU and oppose DSK (local Communist-front trade union center) and WFTU.

b) If Makris in next few months not merely agrees to but actually carries out this action, they will after proof of his good faith (i) call off their court action to declare October Panhellenic Congress illegal; (ii) give Makris and ICFTU verbal commitment they will support Makris for reelection to General Secretary at new labor congress to be held this year; (iii) make a joint approach to Minister Labor in effort to persuade him to release labor funds; and (iv) work with Makris to install proper dues system and to reconstitute GSEE in order strengthen national federations.

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5. Comment: Foregoing program ideally designed put Makris on spot, and make it impossible for ICFTU to support Makris if he resists these eminently sensible proposals.

Makris knows he is cornered and has told Levin that key dissident proposition, i.e. expulsion of Communists and “loyalty pledge”, not in consonance ICFTU policy as laid down by Schevenels. But this merely dodge and is evidence Makris’ continued bad faith.

One purpose Levin’s trip is to ascertain ICFTU view on this key proposition. Embassy also had evidence some members GSEE executive intend make demand on Makris to take initiative against Communists on same lines as advocated by dissidents.1

6. Suggest Department consider passing substance this telegram to AFL–CIO and Brown.2

Berger
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 881.06/2–2359. Confidential. Repeated to Paris and the Department of State as telegram 1919, which is the source text.↩
  2. In telegram 1946 from Athens, February 25, Berger reported that Levin’s proposal was rejected by the GSEE Executive at its February 23 meeting. The Executive instead adopted a plan calling for a vote by individual unions of the GSEE of a loyalty oath to the ICFTU. (Ibid., 881.06/2–2559)↩
  3. Telegram 3061 from Paris, February 24, reported that Levin’s message had been given to Brown. (Ibid., 881.06/2–2459)↩