Memorandum, State Department Summary of Telegrams

NET(NAVAL AIDE) 455 OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE DECLASSIFIED WASHINGTON E.O. 12065, Sec. 3-402 State Dept. Guidelines, March 6, 1982 By DER NLT, Date 9-11-05 January 2, 1953 TOP SECRET SECURITY INFORMATION SUMMARY OF TELEGRAMS GREEK-YUGO- The Greek Minister of Defense and the Deputy SLAV TALKS Chief of the General, Staff have supplied informa- tion on the recent Greek-Yugoslav military talks. The Yugoslavs desire a formal tripartite agreement with Greece and Turkey that the other members will assist in case of attack on any one of the three. Such an agreement would include concrete details as to the use of forces in case of war. The Yugoslavs also proposed in- clusion of arrangements for the operation of Greek forces in Yugo- slavia and vice versa. After receiving a report of the concurrent Turkish-Yugoslav conversations in Belgrade, the Yugoslav delega- tion in Athens appeared encouraged that the Turks would participate in defense arrangements. The Greeks told the Yugoslavs they would have to study further the question of a defense agreement. Our Embassy notes that the Greeks can stall until after the forth- coming visit of Italian Prime Minister De Gasperi, but may find it difficult to do so afterward. The Greeks are puzzled by the urgency with which the Yugoslavs are pressing for this agreement. However, according to the Minister of Defense, the Greek Govern- ment would be disposed to sign a defense agreement with Yugoslavia if to do so would not conflict with their NATO obligations. They hope to receive our views promptly in order to be able to resume talks with the Yugoslavs after the middle of January. The Greeks would expect to work out very carefully in consultation with us the exact character of the obligations which they might assume. CZECHO- Ambassador Wadsworth has reported concerning SLOVAKIA a private conversation with President Gottwald following the formal presentation of credentials. Wadsworth men- tioned his sincere desire to resolve, with the Czech Government's help, many problems between the two countries, including the Oatis case. Our envoy said he had learned Mrs. Oatis had addressed a direct personal appeal to Gottwald that the sentence be commuted TOP SECRET SECURITY INFORIATION