Foreign Relations of the United States, 1950, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, Volume V

781.00/7–2850

Memorandum by the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern, South Asian and African Affairs (McGhee) to the Deputy Under Secretary of State for Administration (Peurifoy)

top secret

[Washington,] July 31, 1950.

Subject: Views of General Van Fleet on the Greek Government

Thank you for sending along Ferris’¹ letter² to Travers,³ which is returned herewith. Harold Minor has also written me about Van Fleet’s views,⁴ which Van Fleet cabled direct to the Army Department.⁵

Ambassador Grady⁶ has reacted violently to Van Fleet’s telegram to the Army Department which was repeated to Grady for comment. Ambassador Grady believes that Van Fleet’s statement that we support a Government which permits Red infiltration is an absolutely unwarranted criticism of Department policy, the policy of the Embassy, and of himself personally. In Grady’s opinion, Van Fleet has wittingly or unwittingly lent himself to an effort on the part of the Palace to discredit the Plastiras Government.

We also believe Van Fleet’s charge that we are “turning Greece over to the communists” and backing a “traitor” (Plastiras) probably reflects the opinion of the Palace, and especially of the Queen. It is generally recognized that Van Fleet cultivated close social relationships with the King and Queen. Van Fleet’s statements of course misrepresent the Embassy’s and the Department’s position.

An important factor in the strength of Plastiras in the March elections was his advocacy of a policy seeking to reunite Greeks and to remove the scars of internal strife. We consider that this approach continues to hold a strong basic appeal to many moderate elements in Greece. If Plastiras can be kept free from the dangerous influence of the extreme left wing of his own party, he could continue to be useful in encouraging the development of a moderate liberal element.

Plastiras’ consistent record has been that of a patriotic, non-communist Greek. He does tend, however, to be fuzzy-minded, impetuous and emotional in his traditional liberalism, and this led him to pursue a lax and sometimes rash policy towards the communists and fellow-travelers. There are indications that this policy has facilitated some recent resurgence of communism within Greece. This is a factor we are taking into account in considering whether, if the threatened disintegration of the Plastiras Cabinet materializes, we should not support some stronger type of Government, presumably headed by Marshal Papagos. Thus, while no final decision has yet been made, we do not exclude the solution which the Palace and Van Fleet advocate, although we believe they overstate its urgency.

I sent Van Fleet a welcome-home cable to the ship,⁷ expressing the desire to see him as soon as he returns to Washington. I have attached a clipping from the Times of a press interview with Van Fleet.⁷

1. Walton C. Ferris, Foreign Service Inspector with rank of Counselor.
2. Not filed with source text.
3. Howard K. Travers, Director, Foreign Service Inspection Corps.
4. See telegram 222, July 19, p. 380.
5. See telegram 167, July 17, ibid .
6. Ambassador Henry F. Grady terminated his service as Ambassador in Greece on June 28 when he departed for Tehran. He presented his credentials as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Iran on July 2, 1950.
7. Not printed.
7. Not printed.