868.00/7–247: Telegram
The Ambassador in Greece (MacVeagh) to the Secretary of State
1020. Prime Minister came to see me this morning and said has been informed by security and military authorities that immediate action necessary against Communist leaders Athens to prevent some leaving country to join Zachariades and Porfyrogennis in promoting mooted separate Greek Government and others from launching series of crippling strikes.
Prime Minister added ‘action likely take form of arrests of principal Communist leaders remaining here such as Partsalides and a number [Page 209] of organizers on lower levels. Said he hesitated place matter wholly in hands Zervas (Minister Public Order) and is thinking of constituting small unofficial committee consisting of Zervas, Stratos (Minister War), Ventiris (Chief GS) and perhaps Alexandris (Minister Justice). Incidentally he said he has done utmost to get rid of Zervas but latter now enjoying strong support Tsaldaris who threatened resign if Zervas removed.
Prime Minister asked my advice and also that of General Livesay1 whom he had requested be present. I replied that matter an internal one regarding which I could not advise officially and also that it falls entirely outside General Livesay’s terms of reference. However I took occasion stress once more Department’s hope for maximum unity among all national minded Greeks under existing conditions (Deptel 717, of May 28) and pointed out that since Communist menace now clearly threatening integrity of country this would seem afford best possible reason for leaders beginning to get together without delay. In addition I said I felt that any new and strong national defense move undertaken at this time would unquestionably have better chances of success here and be better received abroad if it represented not merely a Governmental policy but one approved and supported by all Parliamentary parties. I therefore expressed the thought that he might consider broadening his committee to include opposition members or at least try to secure the advance blessing Sophoulis for any action proposed in order to give it a non-partisan and national character. In latter connection I added that Sophoulis strong reaction published today (mytel 1018 July 22) against anti-national tendencies of Communist Party might afford some hope of success. Prime Minister said he felt considerable cogency in above and asked whether he could use my name in possible conversations. This I felt unable authorize but added he might very well stress strongly the already well known US attitude regarding unity and that I felt this should give him a most potent argument particularly at this moment when US on very point of instituting closest collaboration with Greece through AMAG Mission.
- Maj. Gen. William G. Livesay, Chief of the War Department Group of AMAG, who replaced Colonel Lehner because of the necessity of designating a general officer for this position. General Livesay’s letter of instructions, dated June 12, 1947, directed him to proceed to Athens on or about June 17. The initial composition of the Group was set at 28 officers, 10 enlisted men and 26 War Department civilian employees.↩
- Not printed.↩