841.2368/4–1547: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Acting Secretary of State
1386. Kosmos 41. Personal for Acheson from Marshall. Your Moskco 57 refers.1 I have this date sent the following letter to Mr. Bevin.
[Page 146]“I refer to your letter of April 11, in which you state that the British Military Mission will remain in Greece ‘until their task is completed’ on the understanding that the Greek Government will pay for its maintenance in dollars from the United States loan. You asked me to confirm that my Government would agree to this procedure.
I am informed that the British Ambassador in Washington made a similar suggestion last month and was told that direct or indirect payment by the United States for British troops or missions in Greece was quite impossible. It is my understanding that the British Mission does not pay dollars for its upkeep in Greece, and it seems to me that the sterling costs of approximately 1,000 officers and men, which would continue even if they moved out of Greece, are too inconsequential to warrant the serious embarrassment which would result if my Government made an effort to accede to such a request.
Further, an amendment to the United States bill now being considered provides, as a condition precedent to receipt of any assistance under the act, that the government requesting such assistance shall agree ‘not to use any part of the proceeds of any loan, credit, grant or other form of financial aid rendered pursuant to this act for the making of any payment on account of the principal or interest on any loan made to such government by any foreign government’. I am informed that there is under consideration in the Congress a plan to broaden this provision, and in opposing such restrictive action the Acting Secretary of State stated that we had no intention of using any part of the funds to pay the costs of British troops or missions in Greece. It appears to me feasible to have the Greek Government, if it is not already doing so, provide food and quarters for the British Mission.
In view of the foregoing, I trust that your Government will find it practicable to bear this relatively small cost, or to make other arrangements for payment, without involving in any way expenditures of any portion of the proposed United States loan to the Greek Government. Faithfully yours, signed George C. Marshall.”