Office of the Historian

321. Telegram From the Embassy in Greece to the Department of State1

Athens, November 25, 1967, 0317Z.

2410. Vanto 16. For Secretary Rusk and McNamara. In the course of a busy day I have met with King Constantine, Prime Minister Kollias, Foreign Minister Pipinellis, and the UN Special Representative, Rolz-Bennett. I have found in Athens none of the raucous war hysteria which prevails in Ankara. There is no evidence of panic by the people or the government.

In my opinion, the Greek Government remains cool and determined as the war clouds thicken. They have a real desire to find a peaceful solution to the crisis. The King again today reaffirmed his commitment that there would be no preventive military actions by Greek forces. The Greek Government has also accepted certain military risks in limiting military call-ups and military movements in order to avoid provocation of the Turks and exciting the populace. They have leaned over backwards in an effort to formulate a proposition for me to convey to the Turks tomorrow [Page 664] which would be compatible with Greek national dignity and Turkish demands for Greek troop withdrawals. I could not ask them to do more. Signed Vance.

Addendum by Talbot:

Revisions of Greek statement which we declared necessary encountered considerable resistance in lengthy “little Cabinet” meeting with King tonight. We understand Greek military command—but in end not military Ministers—strongly resisted compromises they described as capitulation. When Vance and Talbot met King, PriMin, FonMin at 0115 local, GOG still wanted simultaneity in public announcement of acceptance of UNSYG appeal by GOG and GOT. Nearly two hours of discussion ensued, with King’s decisive interventions finally turning tide.2 At last Vance headed for airport at 0330 with documents he could fairly present to Turks.3

Talbot
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 7 US/VANCE. Secret; Exdis. Received at 0356Z and also sent to Ankara.↩
  2. The Embassy reported on this meeting in telegram 2419 from Athens, November 25. (Ibid.)↩
  3. The text of the Greek proposal was transmitted in Vanto 17 from Ankara, November 25. (Ibid.)↩