868.00/8–1645: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:10 p.m.]
8297. Deptel 6704, August 9, rptd to Paris as 3754, Athens as 799 and Moscow as 1777. We have received communication from FonOff stating it agrees to text of US announcement regarding supervision of Greek elections and it also agrees that similar but not identical announcements should be made simultaneously in Washington, London, Paris and Athens. FonOff encloses text of announcement it proposes to issue which it says has already been cleared with Dept.
According to FonOff note Foreign Secretary will probably make statement in Parliament on Greek affairs about August 20 and he is anxious that his statement should contain the British announcement about supervision if necessary arrangements can be made in time. FonOff, therefore, expresses hope that immediate instructions can be issued to US representatives in Paris and Athens to seek agreement of French and Greek Govts to this procedure. Instructions are being sent at once to British representatives in Paris and Athens to act in concert with their US colleagues as soon as latter are ready.
[Page 143]FonOff also agrees that Soviet Govt should be informed of developments shortly before public announcements are made and it suggests this might be done on August 19 if present time table is adhered to. FonOff hopes by that date to have received acceptance of French Govt and approach to Soviet Govt could then be made in Moscow by representatives of US, UK and France.
Sent to Paris as 53, repeated to Dept as 8297, to Moscow as 296 and to Athens as 43.