740.5/10–251: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Greece 1
1583. Tentatively planned Gens [Gen] Bradley and [Field Marshall Sir William] Slim and possibly Fr Gen arriving Athens from Paris evening Oct 10 have brief general discussion with Grks re their membership various NATO bodies and their integration into NATO overall command structure. Group will fly Turkey morning Oct 12 for similar discussion Turks. Suggest you inform Grk Govt Gen Bradley wld welcome opportunity if projected trip materializes and if Grk Govt finds acceptable, to stop off Athens for above purpose. Pls advise Dept Grk response earliest.
Brit Emb Wash assumes Slim wld visit Athens concurrently with Bradley. Has requested confirmation from ForiOtf and info re Brit approach Grk Govt. Suggest you check with Brit Amb before informing Grk Govt.2
FYI only. One of prin objectives of trip is enable top level mil reps three countries discuss with Turks co-related arrangements Turk participation proposed Middle East Command in hope creation of such command with Egypt well as Turk participation. It is hoped that settlement of Anglo-Egypt question will be found through MEC.3 Greece not involved MEC problem.
- Drafted by B. F. Dixon of GTI and cleared with Stabler.↩
- In telegram 1605, October 5 from Athens, Ambassador Peurifoy reported Prime Minister Venizelos statement that the Greek Government would be pleased to receive the Bradley–Slim–French mission (740.5/10–551).↩
- For documentation on the interest of the United States in Anglo-Egyptian affairs see volume v .↩