Greece - US Department of State

728 Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, Volume XXIX
e. [less than 1 line not declassified] steps to expose Communist and
Soviet tactics and duplicity and to thwart Soviet purposes in Greece.
5. The above program would not be expensive. Indeed it is not today
a question of large sums of money. Rather we need approval of a
modest program (of perhaps $35,000 in FY 1971) designed to keep matters
in Greece moving in such a direction that we may avoid much
more serious and disturbing problems at a later date. 4
4 In a July 14 message to Tasca, Sisco and Davies indicated “interest” in the proposal
and requested a more detailed analysis of the “types of activity and what you have in
mind.” (Department of State, INR/IL Historical Files, Greece, 1969–1972) In his August 5
reply, Tasca outlined a series of steps that could be taken to employ the Greek and foreign
press to build support for implementation of the 1968 Constitution and to expose Communist
propaganda operations. He also suggested providing advice to junta leaders on
the creation of viable political and economic-social movements to support their continuance
as a force in a restructured democratic state. (Ibid.) In an August 19 memorandum
to Christopher Van Hollen (NEA), James Gardner (INR) reported that a message to Tasca
had been approved authorizing implementation “of those parts of the Ambassador’s proposal
that are aimed at leading the regime toward regular constitutional practices and
those that are directed against Communist forces. It disapproves those that are designed
to popularize the regime with the Greek people or to arouse perhaps unjustified hopes
among the Greek people about the future course of the regime. The response also concludes
that none of the approved actions is so unusual or serious as to require interagency
consideration in the 40 Committee.” (Ibid.)
287. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in
Greece 1
Washington, July 27, 1970, 1647Z.
119968. Ref: Athens 3994 and 3996. 2 For Ambassador from the
Secretary.
1 Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 593,
Country Files—Middle East, Greece, Vol. I Jan 69–Oct 70. Secret; Nodis. Drafted by Vigderman
on July 24 cleared by Van Hollen, Sisco, Tibbetts, Eliot, and Springsteen; and approved
by Rogers.
2 In telegram 3994 from Athens, July 22, Tasca warned Sisco that putting excessive
pressure on Papadopoulos for liberalization would play into the hands of extremists
within the ruling group. (Ibid.) Telegram 3996 from Athens, July 22, reported on efforts
by Tasca and Ellsworth in discussions with Papadopoulos to secure Greek political cooperation
within NATO in an effort to head off further challenges from the Nordic states
to the regime. (Ibid.)