841.2368/9–1547: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Douglas) to the Secretary of State
4977. For the Secretary and Lovett from Douglas. I informed Bevin this afternoon that with great reluctance we agreed to his suggestion for the withdrawal of not more than 800 men from Greece. We agreed that the remainder of the troops would remain in Greece at least until December 15.
I emphasized again the importance of maintaining US-UK unity in Greece and recalled his personal suggestion that by December 15 events might make it possible for him to hold the troops there longer (reDeptel 3988, September 131). While he did not commit himself to hold them beyond December 15 he repeated that no one could now tell what the Soviets might do or what other developments might take place and that depending upon them he might be able to retain troops beyond the period in question.
As to publicity in Greece, he is taking the matter up with Alexander2 with a view to determining how 800 troops can embark in Greece without publicity and will talk with me further about the matter on Wednesday when I return from Paris.