Telegram from Prime Minister Winston Churchill to President Franklin D. Roosevelt

ane OCADET TOT DEGLASSIFIED E.O. 11652, Sec. 3(E) and 5(0) or are KOGAN TOGUTTAFION 1-20-72 a Stote Aug. 10,3072 WITH WANS Derte 63075 FROM: THE PRIME MINISTER TO : THE PRESIDENT HATIONAL ARCHIVER AND RECORDS NO : 932, 3 APRIL 1945 SERVICET I am attracted the suggestion in your No 723 that a high-powered (by) economic mission should visit Greece, but I am rather doubtful whether this is an appropriate moment to bring the Russians in. We cannot expect any help from the Russians in the economic sphere, and to include them in the mission would be a purely political gesture. As such, it might be valuable if we could be sure that the Russian representative would behave correctly and make a public demonstration of his solidarity with our policy, but this assumption seens very doubtful. There is the further disadvantage that at a time when the Russiens are firmly excluding both you and us from any say in the affairs of Roumania, it would be rather odd to invite then unsolicited to assume some degree of responsibility in Greek affairs. 2. We have ourselves been giving some thought to the future Allied organization in Greece. I am, of course, most anxious to reduce the number of British troops in the country at the earliest possible moment, but it is clear that this will not be the end of our responsibility there. In fact the Greek Government must for some time be given advice and guidance in many spheres of the administration if they are to govern the country effectively. Without this help, they will be unable to resume control throughout the country, and the withdrawal of our forces may be seriously delayed. 3. Advice for the Greek Government has hitherto been provided mainly under the authority of General Scobie as general officer commanding British troops in Greece. We hope, however, that the "operational phase" is now over TOP