868.00/8–2647: Telegram
The Ambassador in Greece (MacVeagh) to the Secretary of State
1464. Regret results of efforts get Greek leaders “subordinate party interests to national ideals” (Deptel 1404, August 24) so far disappointing.
Brought Sophoulis and Tsaldaris together at my house this morning and spoke to them textually as follows:
“This is a very critical moment for Greece and it is the hope of my government, which is doing its utmost to help Greece, that Greek political leaders may get together to form an effective government with broad national support, presenting a solid political front to the Greek people and the world.
You two gentlemen are the leaders of the two great historical Greek parties. If you can get together and work together till order and national security are established and new elections can be held, there is no doubt that a degree of national unity will be established which will discourage Greece’s enemies and encourage her friends.
Mr. Tsaldaris has made certain proposals to Mr. Sophoulis for a joint government. Mr. Sophoulis may have some counter-proposals. If he will make these to Mr. Tsaldaris now, perhaps agreement can be reached. The matter is urgent, because Greece must not be left without a govt at this moment.
It is my hope that you two will get together, whatever concessions each may have to make, to find a mutually acceptable solution. In the event of such solution, the American Govt will at once make its satisfaction a matter of public record.”
During conversation which ensued, Sophoulis proposed that he be PriMin and have control of public order, war and justice. Tsaldaris rejected this and counter-proposed that either his previous proposals be adopted (mytel 1455, August 25) or a neutral PriMin be appointed with the two chiefs to act under him as deputy PriMins. Sophoulis called this last “bastard” solution and reiterated he should himself be PriMin as sign to world at large that former govt had in fact failed and Liberal Party’s policies would now be carried out. I labored for hour and half to find possible common ground of accord, saying that not past party policies but future national policy is now the issue, and suggesting among other things that, if agreeable to both, Sophoulis, as senior statesman, be PriMin, Tsaldaris as majority leader, deputy PriMin, and the above three Ministries be entrusted only to individuals on whom both agreed. Tsaldaris showed some willingness consider this, but Sophoulis adamant against any other proposal than his original one, and despite all my appeals for common agreement in principle on patriotic grounds and mutual confidence regarding future arrangement of details, conference broke up in failure.
[Here follows final paragraph descriptive of further Greek political maneuverings.]