Memorandum, State Department Summary of Telegrams

DEPARTMENT OF STATE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY WASHINGTON September 26, 1946 SUMMARY OF TELEGRAMS iw In view of the attitude of the USSR and of the neighboring states which it dominates in varying degrees, the Secretary is convinced that the time has now come when we must help our friends in every way and refrain from assisting those who either through helplessness or for other reasons are opposing the principles for which we stand. Outlining the future of our program of economic assistance to countries in Europe and the Near East, the Secretary points out that the world is watching the support or lack thereof which we furnish our friends at this critical time, adding that the future policies of many countries will be determined by their estimate of the seriousness or lack thereof with which the US upholds its principles and supports those of like mind. The Secretary states it is of the highest importance for us to assist Turkey and Greece. In a discussion with Bevin on the question of Turkey, the Secretary suggested that Britain, in view of her alliance with Turkey, might wish to furnish direct military equipment while the US would render all feasible economic assistance through the sale of surplus property, credits, etc. The Secretary points out that although the political situation in Greece is far less satisfactory than that in Turkey, the strategic importance of Greece is equally great. The Secretary hopes that every effort will be made to extend such economic help to Greece as we reasonably can. The Department agrees completely with the views expressed by the Secretary on Turkey and Greece and has informed him that we have been thinking on the same lines here. ARGENTINA Ambassador Messersmith believes that since the inauguration of President Peron, the Argentine Government has shown a desire to collaborate with us and other American republics and to eliminate all diffi- culties in the way of full collaboration with us. The Argentine Government realizes the seriousness of the times in which we are and, in the Ambassador's opinion, there is no present reason to doubt the sincerity and good faith of the Argentine Government in this regard. ICELAND Despite the failure of attempts to persuade the Iceland Progressive Party to support our proposals, the Prime Minister believes he has enough votes in the legislature to obtain acceptance of the agreement. DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12065, Sec. 3-402 State Dept. Guideline, June 12, 1979 By NLT- HL NARS, Date 11-12-to