Greece - US Department of State

726 Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, Volume XXIX
Prime Minister Papadopoulos. Despite his faults, King may be needed
in this situation at some point. (As Department aware King, in interim,
is being kept financially by regime; and Constitution provides for his
return after elections.) But our first requirement must be that he return
under conditions that do not prejudice US interests here. In no case
should it ever appear that US instrumental in any way in his return. I
have King very much in mind as I follow the Greek scene, and I think
you can count on me to give you every indication of opportunities that
may arise for using his position to further our interests here.
286. Message From the Ambassador to Greece (Tasca) to the
Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Johnson) 1
Tasca
Athens, July 10, 1970.
SUBJECT
[less than 1 line not declassified] Action to Support U.S. Policy Aims in Greece
1. In my report of March 31, 2 I analysed the Greek situation and
submitted my recommendations. Essentially, I proposed—
a. Restoral of the suspended portion of MAP for Greece and the
future maintenance of MAP at adequate levels, and
b. Continued pressure on the Greek Regime to encourage the earliest
possible implementation of the 1968 Constitution.
2. Basic assumptions—The present Government is firmly in control
of the Greek internal situation, the opposition within Greece has
no effective short-range means at their disposal to effect the overthrow
of the present Government, Soviet long-range policy towards Greece
aims at separating Greece from NATO, isolating Greece from its natural
allies in Europe, denying use of Greek soil to the U.S., thus neutralizing
Greece as a U.S. ally, then hopefully leading Greece into the
neutralist camp and ultimately the Communist sphere of influence à
la the Arab world.
1
Source: Department of State, INR/IL Historical Files, Greece, 1969–1972. Secret;
Sensitive.
2
Document 273.