182. Intelligence Information Cable Prepared in the Central Intelligence Agency1
1377744. Country: Greece/Turkey/Cyprus/USSR/Western Europe. Subject: Greek Prime Minister Karamanlis’ Comments on the Greek Internal Scene and Foreign Relations (DOI: Early October 1978). Source: [2 lines not declassified].
Summary: In early October 1978 Greek Prime Minister Karamanlis spoke at length [less than 1 line not declassified] on the Greek internal scene and foreign relations. He expressed satisfaction with his domestic political position and with his relationship with opposition leader Papandreou. He expects to discuss bilateral affairs with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher; he is in no hurry to sign a new Greek-U.S. DCA and plans to insure that Greece receives the same financial and military aid as Turkey. Karamanlis is worried about Soviet intentions in the Balkans and the Middle East, where he believes it is in the Soviets’ interest to foment trouble. He continues to disapprove of Cypriot President Kyprianou’s method of dealing with the Cyprus situation. Karamanlis foresees no serious problems to Greece’s entry into the EC, but he noted that Turkish objections are affecting Greece’s full reentry into NATO; he does not intend, however, to make any further concessions to insure reentry.2 Although the most recent Greek-Turkish talks did not accomplish anything substantial, Karamanlis does see some positive elements in the current Greek-Turkish relationship. End of summary.
[Omitted here is the body of the cable.]
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, Europe, USSR, and East/West, Brement Subject File, Box 64, Greece-Turkey: 6/78–1/79. Secret; Wnintel; Noforn; Nocontract; Orcon.↩
- Reference is to Turkish attempts to place several technical conditions on the terms of Greek reintegration into NATO. Greece and Turkey held bilateral talks in Athens on issues relating to Aegean airspace August 28–31. In telegram 8199 from USNATO, September 8, the Mission noted that Turkey was using the Military Budget Committee as a forum to highlight Greece’s failure to pass along to NATO members air defense data collected at its early warning sites. The telegram noted this action amounted to a form of financial pressure against Greece. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780382–0612) In telegram 8535 from Ankara, October 2, the Embassy reported on Turkish insistence on linking unresolved issues of control and command of the Aegean Sea airspace to Greek reintegration into NATO. The telegram also noted Turkey’s basic objective was to prevent Greece from achieving military parity. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780402–0257)↩