Evening star., 1947-04-05
Greek turkish Aid Policy
It's Rar,iH Hcations Are Further Explored in 4
to Senator's Questions


to Senator
"a condensed version OF questions
By Senators and State Department
ansuers on aid to Greece and Turkey
is printed beloa0.1
Question: Is it our purpose to support
the present Greek government: that is,
the monarchy? Is it our proposal to
support the present Turkish govern
ment?
Answer: It is our primary purpose
to assist the Greek people, SO that they
may retain the opportunity to choose
the form and composition OF their
government in accordance with the wish
OF the majority. This also applies to
Turkey. We do not conceive it to be
our function to influence the judgment
Of these two peoples with regard to their
governments.
Question: Is it the view of our Gov
ernment that the governments Of either
or both countries are democratic?
Answer: It Is the view Of the State
Department that both the Greek and
Turkish governments are essentially
democratic and that both are progress
essential democracy OF these two gov
ernments Is, it is believed, demonstrated
by the fact that In both countries SUBJ
stantial opposition parties are not only
legal but are carrying on an energetic
campaign Of criticism of the govern
ments in power. without hindrance by
the governmental authorities.
The United States Government does
not propose to dictate to either Greece
or Turkey the form or composition Of
its government.
The Communist Party is legal in
Greece and carries on its activities
freely within the limits of the law
which regulates all political groups.
The existence Of Communist Party is
not permitted in Turkey and 1t Is be-
neved that there are very few Com
mtlnists in that country.
Activity Of Greek Communists.
Question: What evidence has been
submitted which would lead one to
believe Russia is attempting to take over
the governments or to establish govern
ments which would be dominated by
Russia In either or both countries? Is
there positive evidence Of Russian in
filtration?
Answer: An examination of the Presi-
dents message and of the proposed
legislation will indicate that the Presi-
dent has not charged that any specific
country is attempting to take over the
Greek or Turkish governments or to
establish governments dominated by 1t
in either or both countries.
With regard to Greece, it would ap-
pear to the department, from the in
formation available to it, that the prin-
cipal threat to Greek independence
comes from armed groups in Greece led
by Communists. The purpose of these
armed groups appears to be to prevent
the reconstruction of an independent,
democratic Greece. There is no doubt
that these armed groups are receiving
encouragement from abroad.
So far as is known, there are at pres
ent no organized armed groups in Tur-
key intent upon undermining the inde-
pendence of that country. The pres
sures Of various kinds which have been
exerted upon Turkey from without dur
ing the last Is months are so well known
that it would appear to be unnecessary
for them to be set forth in detail by the
State Department at this time. It Is
hoped that aid to Turkey would prevent
the development of conditions within
that country which would render 1t difh-
cult for it to withstand pressures from
without which might threaten its irde-
pendence.
No precise figures are available re-
garding the number Of members which
the Communist Party has at this time In
Greece and Turkey. 1t is believed, how
ever, that that party has relatively few
members In each country. The threat
to Greek independence comes not 80
much from the number of Communists
In Greece as from the groups which the
Communists have been successful In
dominating as q result Of the economic
misery Of the Greek people. The Com
munist Party In Turkey Is outlawed and,
therefore, such Communist activities as
are carried on in that country must be
Of secret character.
Possibility Of War Doubted.
Question: Do our military authorities
feel that Soviet Russia's military
strength is such that they are likely to
take action against the United States
either In connection with our entrance
into Greece or as the result OF some
other dispute arising during the next two
years?
Answer: In. the opinion Of the State
Department. there Is no reason to believe
that any country would find provocation
for action against the United States as
consequence Of our proposed course IN
the Greek crisis.
Question. After our missions have
moved into Greece and rehabilitated the
Greek Army and spent millions on re-
construction, could Greece, with our as
sistance, resist invasion?
Answer: The purpose Of QUE proposed
assistance to Greece Is not to put Greece
in 4 position to resist overt aggression
by foreign countries. Our objective is
to 30 strengthen the internal economic
structure and the internal security OF
Greece that she will be relieved of the
danger Of the overthrow of constitu-
tional government by an armed NIL
nority.
question: What is the size of the
Greek Army? the Turkish Army?
Answer: According to such informa-
ton as is available, the Greek Army
numbers approximately 100000 men, and
the Turkish Army between 100000 and
100000.
Assistance TO China.
Question: Does the administration
contemplate action to assist" the Gen.
trail government in China against its
armed Communist minority similar to
that now being proposed In Greece?
Answer: As was explained by Secre-
tary Acheson in testifying before the
House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
March 20 and 81, the situation in Greece
is quite different from that In China.
This Government, therefore, does not
nropose to follow identical courses Of