868.00/8–1145
The British Embassy to the Department of State 85
Paraphrase of Telegram From the Foreign Office Dated August 11, 1945
My immediately preceding telegram.86
Following is Text.
Article 9 of Agreement signed at Varkiza on February 12th between representatives of the Greek Government and representatives of E.A.M. provides for a plebiscite and elections will be held in Greece as soon as possible and in any case during 1945. The Agreement goes on to state that representatives of both sides agree that Great Allied [Page 138] Powers shall be requested to send observers. In answer to this request and in view of their obligations to Greece and undertakings assumed at Yalta, the United States Government and His Majesty’s Government suggest[ed] to the Greek Government that supervision should be exercised by themselves, the Soviet Government and the French Government. The Greek Government expressed entire agreement and the United States Government therefore sought the views of the Soviet Government and the Provisional Government of France. The Provisional Government of France agreed to participate in supervision but the Soviet Government stated that they were opposed in principle to supervision of National Elections by foreign states. Allied supervision in Greece will therefore be exercised by representatives of the American, British and French Governments. Detailed arrangements are being worked out between the Three Governments concerned and Greek Government.