Foreign Relations of the United States, 1947, The Near East and Africa, Volume V

868.00/8–1147: Telegram

Governor Dwight P. Griswold to the Secretary of State

secret

Athens, August 11, 1947—7 p. m.

1339. Amag 75 to McGhee from Griswold. Reference memo submitted by Greek Government to US Government through Embassy dated August 9¹ relative to increase in Greek armed forces.

1. Reasons given in Amag 41² still apply. Reemphasize fact that increases now would not improve fighting strength for at least three months.

2. Many Greek soldiers scattered over country on guard duty and General Staff not making full use of present strength. Commando troops also not being effectively used. General Livesay is getting some results in bringing realism to General Staff. However, they still give great amount of time to political considerations and to presentation of arguments for an increase. It is believed probable that if present application is refused greater realism will result.

3. General Livesay giving serious consideration to approval of 19 additional reconnaissance airplanes and additional air corps equipment. He insists that all armed forces commanders join in approving this increase so that it will not be used as argument for other unnecessary increases.

4. General Livesay’s considered opinion present army strength properly and energetically utilized can decisively defeat present strength bandits.

5. Imperative that any decisions made in Washington be disclosed only through mission in Athens. Otherwise, our effectiveness badly impaired.

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Griswold

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1. In telegram 1342, August 9, from Athens, Ambassador MacVeagh reported that the Greek Prime Minister handed him a lengthy memorandum the same morning which was essentially an appeal for numerical strengthening of the Greek armed forces (868.00/8–947).
2. Telegram 1268, August 1, from Athens, p. 273.