320/12–1251: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Greece 1
niact
2827. Re urtel 2728. While we appreciate Greeks’ discomfiture over SC election developments, we hope you will make it clear to them [Page 125] that decision whether continue in race is matter for their own determination. There shld be no misunderstanding re fact they decided on their own to make race and US support was given only after Greece seemed leading non-Soviet candidate.
We expect GADel will inform Emb re prospects in Dec 13 balloting. Seems to us Greeks shld pick up number of LA votes, and perhaps UK and Fr votes on second ballot as well. If GADel concurs, you may inform Greeks our own view wld therefore be that they wld be wise reserve decision re withdrawal until several more ballots cast. We repeat, however, Greeks must make this decision themselves.
- Repeated for information to Paris priority as Gadel 430.↩