Evening star., 1947-04-04
A Quiz Answers Supplied
Some Of the Questions With the Replies on Our
Greek Turkish Policy

Answer: On February n, 1947. the
Bank Of Greece had available unpledged
freely expendable sterling exchange In
the amount OF II ,500. 900 pounds. equiva-
lent to $S6, 900 900 ct the rate Of n to
pound. OF this amount roughly hall
constituted loan from the Bank Of
England originally granted for the pur-
pose Of currency stabilization.
In addition, the British government
recognizes an obligation to the Greek
government in the amount Of Il, 800, 900
pounds {$49, ,200, ,000) for British military
authority notes Issued In Greece and
Slrachma advances by the Bank OF
Greece to British military forces. This
amount is almost completely Offset by
obligations Of the Greek government
to the British government for expenses
incurred by the British on Greek ac-
count. The settlement OF these obliga-
tions would net Greece only about 500,-
600 pounds sterling equivalent to
$4,000 COO, available for expenditures
by Greece In the sterling area.
Question: What other countries. IN
the opinions or plans OF the State De-
partment, may require similar aid? Do
we have q general policy OF aid or sup
port for other countries?
Answer: At the present time the
State Department has no plans for the
extension Of similar aid to other coun-
tries. It is believed that the prompt ex-
tension of the aid proposed to Greece
and Turkey would have the effect Of en-
couraging constructive, democratic
forces in other areas and thereby OF re-
ducing the possibility of similar situa-
tions arising elsewhere.
No Secret Commitments.
Question: Does the United States
Government have any undiscloSed COM
mitments to foreign nations as result
of promises made at previous confer
ences by the late President Roosevelt or
by President Truman or by former Sec
retaries of State Hull, Stettinius. and
Byrnes?
Answer: All tripartite agreements
among the United States. the Union OF
Soviet Socialist Republics and the
United Kingdom have now been made
public with the publication on March "a
OF the texts of the Teheran, Yalta, and
Potsdam agreements.
Question: Are there any commit
merts concerning (a) control of the
Dardanelles: Cd the status OF Greece;
lc) the status Of Turkey; I'D control
generally in the Mediterranean; (e)
control Of the Suez Canal: and Cd ac-
cess to the oil fields Of Iraq and Iran?
Answer: The United States Govern
ment has no commitments concerning
the matters mentioned other than those
contained in the Charter Of the United
Nations.
Question: Has the State Department
any information which would indicate
that the United States would be re-
auested or required to send any armed
force to Greece In the foreseeable future
If this loan is made?
Answer: The State Department does
not possess any information to indicate
that the United States would be re-
uuested or required to send an armed
force to Greece In the foreseeable fu-
ture.
Question: In the opinion of the State
Department, would Russia be entitled
to interpret the proposed assistance as
an unfriendly and overt act on our part
iustifying retaliatory measures on the
part OF the Soviet Union?
Answer: In the opinion Of the State
Department the Soviet Union would not
be entitled to interpret the proposed as
sistance as an unfriendly and overt act
on our part. justifying retaliatory
measures on the part OF the SOVIET
Union. The assistance proposed Is not
directed against any legitimate Inter-
ests of the Soviet Union. The establish
ment of stable political conditions and
a sound economy In Greece will. In our
opinion, greatly diminish, the possibility
OF friction arising out OF the Greek
question.
Overthrow Would Alter Policy.
Question: Would the United States
provide relief for the Greek people If
within the next few weeks there should
be- an upheaval resulting in the estab-
lishment of a government under the
Of Greek Communists? II
the Communists should gain control,
would we follow the same policy IS 1t
is proposed to do at time when Greece
Is under the control Of the constitutional
Answer: A government under the
of Communists could come
into power in Greece in the next few
weeks only through subversive action by
q minority against the will of the ma
jority. That being the case, the United
States would not propose to follow the
policy which we are submitting to the
Congress at the present time.
Question: In case the respective gov
ernments of Greece and Turkey fall in
spite of our efforts, then what do we do
about 1t?
Answer: We believe that II this pro-
posed program is carried out the demo-
cratic constitutional systems of Greece
and Turkey will be preserved. II, in
spite OF our assistance, that should not
be the case, our course Of action would
have to be determined in the light of the
new conditions thereby created.
Question: What will be the extent of
the military aid proposed for Greece
or Turkey as to personnel and costs?
Answer: With respect to military
1t is contemplated that only
limited, technical personnel would be
required, having as its function to de-
termine the details of the military re-
quirements OF Greece and Turkey and
to assist in assuring that the financial
assistance granted to enable Greece
or Turkey to organize and equip their
armed forces will be effectively utilized.
Secretary Forrestal suggested before
the committee that perhaps at the OUT
set three or four naval officers and
possibly 20 or Is men would be sufficient
for the limited purpose Of advising the
Greek authorities. Secretary Patterson
indicated a rough estimate OF approxi-
amtely between 10 and 40 Army officers
might be adequate for similar purposes.
Under the terms Of the proposed legis-
lation any personnel sent would serve
only in an advisory capacity. No COM
bat armed forces would be supplied. -
1t is contemplated that about
$1O0, ,0O0, 900 viii be allocated to, the Turk
ish program, all OF which would be