Evening star., 1947-04-05
Committee Asks
Speed in Aiding
Greece, Turkey
Opposes Russell Bid
For New Plebiscite
As Relief Condition
By J. A. oLeoy


aid to Greece and Turkey might
prove more ineffectual than no
action at ALL" the Senate For
eign Relations Committee de-
clared today in urging speedy
passage of the 100000, 900 pro-
gram.
"The Committee on Foreign Rela-
tons, therefore, convinced that the
recommendation of the President is
in the best interests of world peace
urges the Senate to act on it
at the earliest possible time," the
committee said in making public its
formal report on the bill The meas
ure will be taken up for debate in
the Senate next week.
Earlier, Senator Russell, Democrat,
of Georgia had suggested new vote
by the people of Greece on their gov
ernment as a condition to American
aid, but the committee declared it is
convinced the United States does not
propose to interfere in the internal
affairs of Greece or Turkey.
Senator Russell is supporting the
aid program on the ground it is i'll
the best interests of this country, but
he indicated his belief Greece and
Turkey do not have democracy.
Committee Sees Progress.
The Senate committee agrees In
its report with the State Depart
ment view that both of these coun-
tries "have already made much prog
ress" along the road of democracy
and that, given political and eco
nornic security, they will continue
along that road.
The committee also took the firm
position that assistance to Greece
and Turkey presents a single prob
lem and that to aid only one might
seriously threaten the independence
of both.
Some Senators have advocated
aiding Greece only, but the commit
tee stressed the Importance of help
ing Trukey also to Withstand what
it called severe external pressure.
"The immediate objections of this
pressure appear to be to separate
certain portions of Eastern Turkey
from the rest of the country, and to
abridge Turkish control over the
Dardanelles," the committee con-
tinued, "but the ultimate objective
might be to deprive Turkey of her
independence. . The loss by the
Turkish people OF confidence in their
future might eventually lead to con-
ditions not diSsimilar from those
now prevailing in Greece"
Senator Russell's proposal for a
new plebiscite in Greece probably
will be frowned on by the admins
tration, in view of the position
taken by the State Department in
answering a Senate QUESTIONABLE a
few days ago.
Believes Both Democratic.
In the QUESTIONABLE, the depart
ment said it considers that both
the Greek and Turkish governments
are essentially democratic and that
both are progressing along the road
to democracy"
1.-THE essential democracy of these
two governments is demon
strated by the fact that in both
countries substantial opposition par
ties are not only legal but are carry
ing on All energetic campaign of
criticism of the governments in
power without hindrance by the
government authorities" the de-
partment said.
The department said the last
parliamentary elections, held March
81, 1946, were conducted by the
Greek authorities in accordance with
the Constitution" It added that
foreign observers reported that the
elections were generally fair and
gave true picture of the will of
the Greek people at this time"
1t commented that the last par
liamentary elections we're held in
Turkey in July, 1916, after a free
political campaign"
Senator Russell said he was try
ing to be realistic in his support of
the program, adding:
I'm not saying that I want to
help democracy in Greece and