Greece - US Department of State

Greece 823
member of the Greek Government for some two years. He thought that
they believed he was conspiring against them but this was not true. To
alleviate their concern he was willing to accept any Colonel they might
appoint as his personal aide who could report on his activities or to
even have a detail of several young Greek policemen guard him and
provide the same function.
—The King suggested that a balance was badly needed in the visible
relations the U.S. has with the regime in Athens and himself. Ambassador
Tasca, for instance, could have visited him some two years
earlier. One frequently sees pictures of admirals, generals and Cabinet
ministers visiting Athens.
—He hoped to persuade the present Greek regime to return to normal
political life and to persuade the people to further patience. But
change was necessary and the time for force might well come. In that
case, he would not seek material aid but would require a U.S. moral
commitment to support him. The Vice President indicated in the
strongest possible way that the U.S. would not support the overturn
of the present GOG by force under any circumstances nor was any sort
of moral commitment at all likely.
—If asked he would very seriously consider returning to Greece.
He felt the need very strongly for Greece to have a king as a unifying
power and that it was essential that the monarchy survive. He thought
the most likely arrangement for his return would be a scenario in which
he would be given a cordial reception. Papadopoulos would then resign
and the King immediately would reappoint him and give him full
backing. If Papadopoulos had any doubts he could have a letter of
reappointment in his pocket when he resigned. After reappointment,
Papadopoulos would infuse the government with new blood, with
people whom both could trust and all could go forward to build for
the future. The King asked the Vice President to mention his ideas on
returning to Greece to the Prime Minister and to also say that he had
no intention of bringing back the officers that had left the armed forces
since his departure and that he contemplated no punishment for those
who had taken part in the seizure of power.
During the afternoon of October 17, 1971, the Vice President met
for three hours by mutual agreement with Prime Minister Papadopoulos
to continue their conversation of the previous day. The following
are the highlights of this conversation:
—The Prime Minister indicated that he was searching for some gesture
that might throw the critics of his regime off balance and give the
press a new focus. For example, he had considered bringing some very
prominent person into his government but so far had been unable to
find someone who could project the proper image and not, at the same
time, impede the attainment of the objectives of his government.