279. Memorandum From Harold Saunders of the National Security Council Staff to the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)1
SUBJECT
- Greek Resistance Journalist Wants to See You and Mrs. Nixon
Mrs. Eleni Vlachou, a prominent Greek newspaper woman widely known for her disapproval of the present Greek government, is in Washington this week and is asking to see you and Mrs. Nixon. State would like to have your views on both of these appointments.
Mrs. Vlachou was well known as the owner of two Athens dailies which she suspended in protest immediately after the 1967 coup. Thereafter arrested for insulting the new government, she evaded authorities and went into exile in London where for two years she has been lobbying hard against the junta, both in speaking engagements and in her writings. (I see from the New York Times Book Review yesterday that she has just published a book called House Arrest.) Her contact in Washington—also an anti-junta personage—is Elias P. Demetracopoulos, a not-too-responsible journalist and leader of the Greek resistance movement in this country. He has been trying to arrange prominent appearances for her on the Hill, at the National Press Club and on “Meet the Press.”
She is apparently here to ascertain the true U.S. feeling about the situation in Greece, presumably for future writing in Europe. State (attached)2 feels that on the one hand, open reception by high government [Page 714] officials here would cause some unhappiness in Athens; on the other, they believe that hearing her out would signal that this Administration is willing to listen to all sides. They have therefore recommended (1) that she not see the Vice President (which she is trying to do) because of the possibility of journalistic exploitation by her of such a meeting; (2) that she not see Mrs. Nixon (Mrs. Nixon should not be subjected to this kind of problem); but (3) that a meeting with you would pose no difficulties.
Recommendations
- 1.
- I feel that this is not the kind of situation which we want to involve Mrs. Nixon in and recommend against the appointment.3
- 2.
- I do not see the necessity of your seeing Mrs. Vlachou either. I doubt you have much to say to the exiles or want to be exploited for their purposes. I recommend against your seeing her.4
- Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 593, Country Files—Middle East, Greece, Vol. I Jan 69–Oct 70. Confidential. Sent for action.↩
- Not printed.↩
- Kissinger initialed the approval option.↩
- Kissinger initialed the approval option on June 15 and added in a handwritten note: “In other words neither of us sees her.”↩