Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XVI, Cyprus; Greece; Turkey

273. Telegram From the Embassy in Greece to the Department of State¹

Athens, April 21, 1967, 1123Z.

4753. This is Country Team message.

1. On basis still fragmentary information I have formed tentative impression that coup was triggered this morning by small army group not including High Command, King or civilian political leaders. Service Chiefs of Staff, faced with question of whether they would cooperate, all appear to be joined and to be actively participating in planning next steps. Military command seems united and now fully committed to coup. King also appears no longer to fear possible arrest as he did when Defense Attaché talked with him at 0415 local time² but rather to have joined with military leadership in considering where to go next. Presumably he was asked about military leadership and all have emphasized their fidelity to King and to NATO.

2. We have been told most members of Kanellopoulos government in protective custody. Andreas Papandreou reported in local military prison.

3. Because we had heard rumors that some political prisoners might suffer harm, I had Chief JUSMAGG and Defense Attaché call on General Papadatos to convey messages any such actions would greatly increase complications of already complicated situation.

4. So far as we know, Athens, Thessaloniki, Crete and all other parts of the country are quiet now.

5. I see no present indication of resistance to the coup.³

Talbot

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 23–9 GREECE. Secret; Flash. Received at 6:33 a.m. and passed to the White House, DOD, CIA, USIA, and NSA at 6:55 a.m.
2. Telegram 4746 from Athens, April 21, reported that the Defense Attaché had called Tatoi Palace at approximately 5 a.m. to “find out what was going on.” King Constantine answered that he had no clear idea of what was happening, adding: “They are headed this way for me. Get word to Sixth Fleet. Get word to Washington and have them send your army in.” (Ibid.)
3. In a memorandum for the President, April 21, Rostow outlined the fragmentary evidence available and commented that “the immediate question is what we say. At some point, I feel we should express regret—even if softly—that democratic process has been suspended.” (Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Greece, Vol. 2)