868.00/7–747: Telegram
The Ambassador in Greece (MacVeagh) to the Secretary of State
1040. Rendis, ex-Liberal Minister of Foreign Affairs, called Saturday on behalf Sophoulis and said latter had received communications from EAM containing certain fair-sounding proposals re appeasement as means ending present strife (see mytel 1038, July 61). He said Sophoulis, knowing control of EAM by Communist Party and having taken firm stand against that party’s increasingly anti-national attitude, does not wish fall into trap, but feels some reply his part necessary to avoid accusation he opposed to peaceful settlement. Rendis asked my advice.
In reply I emphasized once more that while my Government has no intention of intervening in Greek internal politics or of indicating preference for any individual as Minister, it does hope today as it has hoped for long time that all national-minded Greek leaders will be able subordinate purely political interests to patriotic ideal of unity at a time of crisis (Deptel 717, May 28). I pointed out that present EAM maneuver cannot be considered apart from general Communist campaign against Greece’s independence and territorial integrity, and added that therefore any reply might best be made, in my opinion, after concerting with all national elements, thus avoiding character of purely party reply, which could only continue serve Communist aim of exploring [exploiting?] divisions in national ranks. I said I have been in Greece long enough to understand political difficulties in way of forming national government, but that I thought at least a beginning of unity could be made on question national defense and that this approach of EAM to Sophoulis might well provide opportunity. I suggested that Sophoulis take EAM document to his old friend Maximos and that patriotic heads of Greek political [parties] get together to decide on common attitude against enemies of Greece.
Rendis could think of no argument against such a course and promised repeat whole conversation to his chief. Meanwhile I had seen Prime Minister earlier in day, and he had told me he feels that [Page 214] now is time to get Liberals into government, which he believes could be done if Tsaldaris were personally less intransigent and Sophoulis would agree participate through some of his juniors and not insist on premiership for himself. I also saw Papandreou this morning and he said same thing. As for Maximos personally, he said he is willing cede his place even to Sophoulis if that would result in unified national government but that other Ministers are squarely against this solution, and Papandreou said he feels Maximos the ideal chief of coalition. Perhaps if the Department sees Tsaldaris in US, it may be willing to emphasize desirability of political union, but pending any miracle of broad collaboration among jealous Greek politicos, it would not seem impossible that if some sort of accord could be started on vital national defense problems, this might lead to further developments in day of inter-party cooperation once AMAG commences function.
- Not printed.↩