U.S. ORGANISING GREEK AND TURKISH ARMIES

Chronicle (Levin), 26 May 1947, Page 3

U.S. ORGANISING GREEK AND TURKISH ARMIES

Eeceived Sunday, 9.20 p.m. WASHINGTON, May 24. The United Press reports that Mr. Achesou diselosed that the Seeretary of State '(Mr. Marshall) has decided to organise the Greek and Turkish military missions as he did the American army during the war. He is delegating to the chiefs of each mission complete authority such as is given to a.wartime commander of an operational theatre. There will be no backseat driving from Washington or the anibassadors in Greece and Turkey. Mr. Marshall is also appointing a State Departmeht of&cer to co-ordinate both aid programmes. The Under-Secretary of State (Mr. Dean Aeheson) declared that the United States would niake no payment to Britain for expenses Britain had incurred in Greece since March 31 — the original deadline set for the United States to take over. He was commenting on the report that the United States would refund Britain some 20,000,000 dollars spent since March 31. Mr. Aeheson said: "We are under no obligation of any sort to pay Britain auything whatever. All the stulf they sent to Greece was sent on their own responsibility. It was understood very elearly that Britain 's obligation was whatever they chose to niake it. " He said it was possible the United States would buy some British goods with the Greek and Turkish air funds, thercby helping Britain 's dollar resources. (Britain originaliy announeed that she was unable to help Greece after March 31, but later agreed to advance more funds). The Foreign Miiiister (M. Tsalderis), approving the United Nations Balkans Commission report, said Greece hoped the Commission 's lindings and the general proposals would constitute a basis on which the Security Council could take a just decision leading to international pacification.