868.00/8–447: Telegram
The Ambassador in Greece (MacVeagh) to the Secretary of State
1282. Acting Foreign Minister Pipinelis assured me this morning that British decision withdraw troops neither taken at Greek Government’s request nor in accordance its desires and added that information given him August 2 by British Chargé included merely notification of early intention without mention of specific time. Believe [Page 279] all other questions Deptel 1213, August [2] already answered mytel 1275 same date.
Pipinelis added Greek Government aware that many difficulties now facing British and therefore had replied to Chargé with simple acquiesence. However, did attempt discreetly emphasize to Reilly disastrous moral effect decision sure to have following UN veto and new Yugoslav-Bulgarian pact. Said to me that British forces are of course purely symbolic but in existing situation presence of few British or US soldiers morally as strong as Army Corps and British decision evacuate could not have been taken at worse moment in addition opined that if US troops unable replace British in Greece (which he feels only too likely in view what he knows of US public opinion) best possible rectifying measure would be to strengthen Greek Army sufficiently to enable it hold temporarily against invasion pending arrival allied forces.