Greece - US Department of State

Greece 637
subject we addressed in this memo, I suggest that we consider the President’s
response an approval of this limited action.
4. It is important that we respond to State’s memo of June 11 (Tab C) 3
quickly so that negotiation of this sale can be completed before the end of the
fiscal year. Only if we meet that deadline can we take advantage of the
funds still available under the Foreign Military Sales Act which expires
June 30.
Recommendation: That you sign the memo at Tab A. 4
3 Attached but not printed. In it the Department found that the Greek regime was
a military dictatorship within the meaning of the Reuss amendment, but recommended
that continued military sales to Greece were important to U.S. security.
4 Attached but not printed. The June 23 memorandum, addressed to John Walsh
of the Executive Secretariat of the Department of State, informed the Department “to
proceed as proposed in your [June 11] memorandum. The President agrees that the sale
proposed is important to our security.”
252. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National
Security Affairs (Kissinger) to Vice President Agnew 1
SUBJECT
Your Letter on Prime Minister Papadopoulos’ Concerns
Washington, July 19, 1969.
I hope you will excuse the delay in replying to your interesting
July 1 letter, but I did not receive it until July 9. 2 With regard to the
points you report in that letter:
1. On the reply to Papadopoulos’ letter to the President, it is possible
that your informant talked with Papadopoulos before he had received
the President’s reply. But as you see from the President’s letter
(attached), 3 it was sent June 3, more than a month ago.
1 Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 593,
Country Files—Middle East, Greece, Vol. I Jan 69–Oct 70. Confidential.
2 Not printed. In it Agnew passed along observations from a “prominent Greek-
American businessman” who had returned from Greece after having five conversations
with Papadopoulos. (Ibid.) A July 3 letter from McClelland to Vigderman indicates the
businessman was Tom Pappas. (Department of State, Greek Desk Files: Lot 71 D 509,
Correspondence To and From Athens)
3 Not printed. See footnote 4, Document 249.