Greece - US Department of State

640 Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, Volume XXIX
254. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National
Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon 1
SUBJECT
Message from King Constantine
Washington, September 24, 1969.
Tom Evans in the attached memo has passed on to you a message
from King Constantine. 2 The King requests that the newly appointed
Ambassador to Greece 3 stop off for a chat with the King on his way
through Rome. Constantine argues that this would not upset the Military
Government in Athens because the Ambassador will be presenting
his credentials to a Regent who is the King’s representative in
Athens. (Tab A)
I will take no action unless you disagree.
1 Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 593,
Country Files, Middle East—Greece, Vol. I Jan 69–Oct 70. Confidential. Sent for information.
Drafted by Saunders on September 23. A notation on the memorandum indicates
it was returned on October 6. In a note attached to Saunders’s copy of this memorandum,
Haig commented: “HAK—This looks like more dynamite. I suspect we should
thank this fellow and tell him to let it drop.” Kissinger minuted: “I agree. HK” (Ibid.,
Saunders Subject Files, Box 1234, Greece 6/1/69–9/30/69)
2 Not printed. Evans’s discussion with the King took place at a dinner party in
Copenhagen, Denmark during the last week of July.
3 Henry J. Tasca. The Senate confirmed his appointment on December 20, 1969.