501.BC Greece/9–2547: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Greece
us urgent
niact
1596. We are considering recommending to Tsaldaris immediate selection and despatch of small neutral group to observe amnesty for following reasons: [Page 349]
- a.
- To increase actual effectiveness of amnesty thereby reducing guerrilla strength.
- b.
- Tsaldaris in May and Sophoulis in September announced intention to invite foreign observers. Elements unfriendly to Greece in the UN and in Greece itself will seek to exploit failure to act in accordance with previous declarations.
- c.
- Question of amnesty likely to be raised in GA either by those seeking to embarrass Greece or those genuinely seeking to be helpful. Presence on the spot of foreign observers would strengthen Greek position before world public opinion and might discourage a movement for GA consideration of problem. Otherwise, although many members of UN consider amnesty a purely internal matter, the Greeks would be almost obliged to invite UN supervision and incur the disadvantages of possible Russian participation if the question is raised.
In our view Greeks should make no statement in GA re amnesty unless question is raised by other states. In latter case Greeks would describe steps already taken and indicate willingness to consider any suggestion on amnesty that GA or proposed Special Committee might advance. With foreign observers actually on the ground it is less likely that the GA would consider it necessary either to act itself or to transfer this function involving essentially an internal matter to the Special Committee.
To be effective within Greece and before world opinion Greek Govt must act promptly and be prepared extend the amnesty period during the second month which the law provides. One possible plan would involve a small group (10–20) headed by a prominent national of the country providing observers. Upon arrival the observer group, or groups if subdivided, could announce an itinerary, i.e., Yannina, Florina, Serres, etc. etc. and dates of arrival for the purpose of accepting surrenders and hearing complaints of breaches of amnesty guarantees. Acceptance of surrenders would be pro forma, involving a record of names and other vital information and the immediate transfer of those surrendering to Greek authorities for disposition. We believe that permitting actual surrender to foreign observers would create tangible evidence of Govt’s good faith.
Suggest you obtain reactions of Sophoulis to our views and inform us soonest. Tsaldaris has not come to Washington and we shall defer approach to him pending your reply.
Repeated to USUN, New York as 427.