<--PREV Doc #227  |  Memorial Commission Home Page  |  First Term Table of Contents  |  Presidential Papers Home Page  |  Doc#  |  NEXT--> Doc #229 Document #228; June 5, 1953 To Alexander Papagos Series: EM, AWF, International Series The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, Volume XIV - The Presidency: The Middle Way Part II: Settling into "the long pull"; May 1953 to August 1953 Chapter 4: Striving for Unity   Dear Mr. Prime Minister: I was happy indeed to receive your thoughtful and friendly letter of April 29, 1953, which Mr. Markezinis brought to me.1 I have refrained from replying until Mr. Dulles, with whom I discussed your letter prior to his departure, could give me his impressions of his recent trip to Greece and other countries.2 The sentiments you express in your letter indicate that the bonds of friendship which unite our two peoples are strong and enduring.3 It is a matter of particular pride and comfort to know that a people with the glorious history and achievement of the Greeks stand resolutely at the side of the American people and face with them the problems which confront the free world today. Your understanding of these problems makes it clear that Greece is fortunate to have such a leader as yourself as the head of her Government. I understand Mr. Dulles discussed with you in Athens, in the light of the present truce negotiations, your generous offer to recommend an increase in the number of Greek troops now fighting in Korea at the side of their United Nations allies.4 As I indicated to Mr. Markezinis, our awareness of your efforts to place the economy of your country on a sound footing makes us all the more appreciative of your willingness to increase your own burden in Korea. On behalf of the United States, which bears the responsibility of the Unified Command in Korea, I accept this offer. I am informed that the Department of State will communicate with representatives of your Government in order to make the necessary arrangements for utilizing additional troops in Korea. I believe that your intention to maintain Greek armed forces at their present strength, and to increase them if necessary, is a very wise decision.5 Although, as you note in your letter, there is much talk of peace, I have repeatedly said that we must not permit such talk to deceive us. We are far from certain that the originators of this peace talk intend to back up their words by deeds, and my frank opinion is that only a strong military posture on our side will induce them to do so. I therefore welcome your assurance that the fine fighting forces of Greece, whose valor has been praised since the earliest days of history, will be kept intact.6 I deeply appreciate the considerations which have led you to offer to recommend that your King and Government accept a proposal for base rights for American armed forces in Greece.7 It is gratifying to receive this further evidence of the acute awareness of the Greek nation to the threat to the free world and this demonstration of its willingness to continue to contribute to the collective effort to prevent aggression. We are now studying the requirements for base rights in support of NATO plans and your generous offer will be considered in this connection. When this study has been completed we shall be in a position to explore this matter further with you. I wish also to express to you my thanks for the fact that your Government is making common cause with us in our efforts to secure closer collaboration among our European allies. Like you, I am a firm believer in the old adage that in unity there is strength, and I would like at this point to praise the wisdom and statesmanship of your Government in pursuing and achieving a pact with your friendly neighbors which adds much to the common security in southeastern Europe. The determination with which your Government followed this aim deserves the highest praise, especially when considered in the light of recent history. Under an enlightened leadership, Greece cannot fail to play an increasingly important role in world affairs. Certainly, as matters stand, she is a beacon of hope to all lovers of freedom.8 I extend to you and to Mrs. Papagos the very best personal wishes of Mrs. Eisenhower and myself. We hope and pray that God will continue to bless the great work you have undertaken in behalf of your country. Sincerely 1 Papagos had written from Athens (AWF/I) to discuss Soviet expansionism, in particular the longstanding Russian interest in obtaining a warm-water port on the Mediterranean or the Indian Ocean. "From this point of view," he wrote, "safeguarding the independence of Greece was a vital factor in halting communist aggression." He applauded Eisenhower's peace address and its promise of a "Pax Americana" (see no. 132). Papagos reiterated the willingness of his government to participate in collective security arrangements in spite of the burden preparedness placed on his country's economy. Spyros Markezinis, Greek Minister of Coordination for Economic Planning, had met with Eisenhower on May 7 (see the Chronology). Two days later the State Department released word that the President, Secretary of State Dulles, Secretary of the Treasury Humphrey, and Mutual Security Director Stassen had discussed Greek economic and defense issues with Markezinis during his visit to the United States (U.S. Department of State Bulletin 28, no. 725 [May 18, 1953], 752-53). 2 Dulles and Stassen had stopped in Athens on May 27-28, completing their tour of the Near and Middle East (see State, Foreign Relations, 1952-1954, vol. IX, The Near and Middle East, pt. 1, pp. 154-62). 3 On May 28 the White House had announced that Eisenhower had invited King Paul and Queen Frederika of Greece to visit the United States. The press release referred to them as "rulers of a nation which contributed so much of its classical heritage of ideas to the concepts which animated the founders of our democracy" (New York Times, May 29, 1953). 4 Papagos in his April 29 letter had offered to enlarge the Greek military contingent in Korea immediately if Eisenhower so requested. "Wherever American soldiers are fighting," the Greek Prime Minister declared, "Greek soldiers consider it an honor to fight alongside them, so long as they are able." 5 In August the Greek government would announce that 51 percent of its fiscal year 1954 budget of some $290 million would consist of military spending (New York Times, Aug. 9, 1953). 6 Drawing from Pericles, ruler of Athens during its golden age, Papagos had written that "Greeks judging happiness to be the fruit of freedom, and freedom of valour, never decline the dangers of war." 7 Papagos had expressed his eagerness to see U.S. military bases established in Greece. "Appropriate land areas are available," he said, "the population is friendly, and the prevailing sentiment of our people is strongly anti-communist." 8 In February Greece had signed the Balkan Pact with Turkey and Yugoslavia (see no. 913). For developments see no. 475; see also no. 226. Bibliographic reference to this document: Eisenhower, Dwight D. To Alexander Papagos, 5 June 1953. In The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, ed. L. Galambos and D. van Ee, doc. 228. World Wide Web facsimile by The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission of the print edition; Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1996, http://www.eisenhowermemorial.org/presidential-papers/first-term/documents/228.cfm <--PREV Doc #227  |  Memorial Commission Home Page  |  First Term Table of Contents  |  Presidential Papers Home Page  |  Doc#  |  NEXT--> Doc #229

Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission 1629 K Street, NW Suite 801 Washington DC 20006 Phone: 202.296.0004    Fax: 202.296.6464