Greece - US Department of State

778 Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, Volume XXIX
Mr. Johnson: That Ambassador Tasca pay a courtesy call. This
would be handled through the Greek Foreign Office. This is the standard
procedure. The Foreign Office won’t be happy, but they will have
to say yes.
Dr. Kissinger: This seems the most straightforward way of handling
it.
Mr. Johnson: Have we sent you a memo on this?
Dr. Kissinger: Let me check this with the President. He wasn’t eager
when [Ambassador Gardner] Ackley wanted to call on the King a
year ago. I will explain that it is the normal thing and that it is not Martin
or Lodge who will be involved but our Ambassador in Athens, who
will be paying a call as a matter of courtesy as arranged through approved
Greek Government channels. Let me check. I think it is likely
he will approve. 8
Lt. Gen. Knowles: It would be abnormal if the Ambassador
doesn’t call, wouldn’t it?
Mr. Johnson: Yes.
Dr. Kissinger: I don’t know what utility the King has. He might
be of some use during a transition, but the opposition wouldn’t want
him back. I am sure Papandreou wouldn’t want him.
That is all I have.
[Omitted here is discussion of Pakistan.]
8 See Document 315.
311. Telegram From the Embassy in Greece to the Department of
State 1
Athens, April 23, 1971, 1635Z.
1920. For the Secretary.
1. Recently I have taken a major initiative to move the Papadopoulos
regime along toward full implementation of the 1968 Constitution.
Papadopoulos is influenced by the opinions of leading busi-
1 Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 594,
Country Files—Middle East, Greece, Vol. II 1 Nov 1970–31 Dec 1971. Secret; Nodis.