Office of the Historian

313. Memorandum From the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs (Davies) to the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Johnson)1

Washington, May 7, 1971.

SUBJECT

  • Letter to Deputy Secretary Packard Requesting Review of U.S. Military Activities
  • Planned in Greece—ACTION MEMORANDUM

Discussion

We are being asked by the military services to approve or at least consider an increasing number of new activities (homeporting, additional exercises, naval air station, Special Warfare Training Unit deployment, fleet marine force training base, etc.) involving Greece. These activities are for the most part bilateral although to a degree they fall within the NATO framework. The rationale supporting these new projects is linked to the Soviet fleet buildup in the Mediterranean, contingency planning for Middle Eastern crises, and our commitment to maintain strength within NATO including the southern flank.

At the same time those members of Congress critical of our policy toward Greece can be expected to view with concern any increase of U.S. military operations. In the opinion of certain critics we are successfully achieving our military/security objectives at the expense of our political goals. While there appears to be little anti-American resentment among the Greeks as a result of U.S. military presence now, the consequent risk of a continuing buildup cannot be overlooked. A comprehensive overview of anticipated military requirements involving Greece would provide perspective in the totality of our relations with Greece.

Recommendation

That you sign the attached letter to Mr. Packard2 requesting a comprehensive review of military planning involving Greece.

  1. Source: Department of State, Greek Desk Files: Lot 75 D 227, Def 15. Confidential. Drafted by David Rowe and George Churchill (NEA/GRK) on May 6, and cleared in EUR/RPM, PM/ISO, and NEA/RA. Johnson initialed the memorandum and wrote: “Return to NEA.” In an attached handwritten note to Sisco, May 11, Davies explained that the Department of the Navy had been going forward with plans for an increased military presence in Greece without the knowledge of either the Department of State or White House staff. When questioned about this activity by Johnson, Zumwalt replied that during the fall of 1970 Moorer and Laird had briefed the President on this possibility following their return from Athens (see Document 293) in the presence of Secretary Rogers and Johnson and had been told to “go ahead” by Nixon. No record of this conversation was found.↩
  2. Not attached.↩