Greece - US Department of State

754 Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, Volume XXIX
I would appreciate any suggestion or comment you may have. 8
With warm personal regards.
8 In backchannel message WH2251 to Tasca, December 28, Kissinger approved
plans for a briefing of Papadopoulos. (Ibid.)
301. National Security Study Memorandum 116 1
TO
The Secretary of State
The Secretary of Defense
The Director of Central Intelligence
SUBJECT
Policy Toward Greece
Washington, January 26, 1971.
The President has directed a review of progress in executing the
decisions made by him in June 1969 in connection with the resumption
of full military shipments to Greece. The principal question to be
addressed is what options the U.S. now has vis-à-vis Greece in the light
of recent developments there. 2
A paper should be prepared in the NSCIG/NEA and submitted to
the Senior Review Group by January 29, 1971. 3
Henry A. Kissinger
1 Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1265,
Saunders Subject Files, Greek Military Supply, 1/1/71–12/13/71. Secret; Nodis. A copy
was sent to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
2 In telegram 1521 to Athens and Rome, January 2, the Department authorized Ambassadors
Tasca and Martin to pursue contacts with King Constantine. (Ibid., Box 594,
Country Files, Middle East, Greece, Vol. II 1 Nov 1970–31 Dec 1971) Kissinger was informed
of Tasca’s intention in a January 7 memorandum from Richard Kennedy. Kissinger
noted: “I want to take up with President. Totally, utterly unacceptable. Sisco will either
lead in or there’ll be a show down.” (Ibid.) A January 8 memorandum for the record by
Kennedy stated that Kissinger instructed Haig to call Sisco and inform him that “this is
contrary to policy and any such instructions should have been cleared by the White
House.” (Ibid.) In telegram 17382 to Athens, February 2, the Department instructed Tasca
that in view of the fact that “question of calls on King seem to be an element to be considered
. . . visits must be deferred until [the NSC] review completed.” (Ibid.)
3 In a January 27 memorandum from Davis to recipients of this memorandum, the
due date was changed to February 16. (Ibid.) See Document 306.