317. Telegram From the Embassy in Greece to the Department of State0
386. 1. Prime Minister informed this morning of contents Department telegram 285.1 Caramanlis’ immediate reaction was to inquire [Page 617] whether this NATO guarantee or direct US assurance. After discussion in detail and some reflection his part, Caramanlis, who in calm unruffled mood, said he appreciated this reply from US to his request but wanted to say in all frankness it did not fully satisfy him. Asked to elaborate, Prime Minister went on to say record is clear that he and Greek Government have given strong support to NATO but that he frankly lacks confidence in ability of NATO to come immediately to aid of Greece in event of attack on this country. He pointed to pulling and hauling involved in all NATO decisions, mentioning doubts re British and Italian readiness face up to hard decisions involved in present crisis. He called attention, as he often does, to Greek geographic position, saying if Belgium or Holland attacked other Western European powers immediately involved because of geography, but this not necessarily so in case of Greece with her position separate from rest of European NATO. He said he had discussed his preoccupations about NATO with President Kennedy during his July visit. He said again this morning that he and Greek people know what they must do and will do it. There is no doubt, however, Prime Minister would like to have US assurances of direct and immediate support for Greece in case of trouble without waiting for results of NATO deliberations.
2. In short, what Caramanlis wants is simple US statement to effect we are on Greece’s side and have no intention letting Greece go down Soviet drainpipe. Reassurances along these lines would have more positive effect than assurances re NATO commitment which regarded here as useful but rather legalistic.
3. Same exercise repeated later in morning with Foreign Minister, who was attended by Director General Palamas. They had been advised of Caramanlis position and both took very careful notes of our statement.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 375/9–1361. Secret; Priority; Limit Distribution. Repeated to Paris for Stoessel.↩
- Telegram 285, September 3, instructed Briggs to inform Karamanlis that the United States would regard a Soviet or Bulgarian attack on Greece as coming within the scope of Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty. (Ibid., 780.54/9–361)↩