345. Telegram From the Embassy in Greece to the Department of State 1
2730. Ref: Athens 2721.2 At Greek Pentagon at 1230 local I was taken to office of Chief, Hellenic National Defense General Staff and ushered into presence of Ministers Papadopoulos and Makarezos, Generals Angelis and Zoitakis and Col. Paleologos (KYP). Papadopoulos states that General Angelis had received this morning message from King dismissing him as Chief, HNDGS, and stating he (King) would address message to Greek people. Papadopoulos claimed King had left Tatoi airport one and half hours ago, but he did not know King’s present whereabouts. He presumed King had gone to north. According to Papadopoulos it is clear King is attempting to overthrow revolution. He asked me specifically whether I had any knowledge of this action “from any direction.” I said there was certainly nothing I could tell him and that if he was implying question whether U.S. involved I could assure him flatly that it was not.3 In response to my question, Papadopoulos stated that he presumed that Prime Minister Kollias had gone with the King and he stated that Pattakos was now out of Athens but would return within one-half hour. Papadopoulos expressed hope that I would do everything possible to avoid bloodshed in Greece. I responded that through the mission of Mr. Vance the United States had recently made great effort to avoid conflict in this part of the Mediterranean and that we [Page 705] naturally had every wish that civil strife could be avoided inside Greece. I informed Papadopoulos and others that I would immediately inform my government and that I would be available in Athens throughout day if they wish to communicate with me again.4
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 23–9 GREECE. Secret; Flash; Limdis. Repeated to the Mission to NATO for Secretary Rusk.↩
- See footnote 3, Document 344.↩
- In telegram 4097 from Athens, December 13, Talbot requested that the press be informed that while he had frequently seen the King in previous weeks, the “U.S. Government has no advanced knowledge of this undertaking.” (Department of State, Central Files, POL 23–9 GREECE)↩
- Telegram 2739 from Athens, December 13, reported that at 12:30 p.m. local time Papadopolous and Makarezos called Talbot stating they had no knowledge of the King’s whereabouts. The telegram also described military maneuvers in the city of Athens. (Ibid.)↩