July 11, 1949
MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION WITH THE PRESIDENT
Item No. 1
7th Quarterly Report on Aid to Greece and Turkey
The President raised a question regarding the 7th Quarterly Report on Aid to Greece and Turkey. He showed me a memorandum to him from Clark Clifford, a copy of which I attach.
You will note that Mr. Clifford raises questions as to whether the detail regarding American military assistance on pages 23-28 would provide information of considerable intelligence value to other foreign powers. The President asked that the Department of State request the National Military Establishment to review this section.
Mr. Clifford also suggests that a small map of Greece would be most useful in understanding the guerilla operations referred to in the report.
Please let me have a memorandum on this for the President.
S:DA:be
July 11, 1949
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT:
Subject: Seventh Quarterly Report on Aid to Greece and Turkey
I have examined the State Department's draft of the Seventh Report on Greek- Turkish aid. My only question concerns the detail in which American military assistance to Turkey is presented (pp.23-28). It occurs to me that this is of considerable Intelligence value to a certain foreign power, which will be able, simply by looking at this report, to find out what modern training methods, equipment and techniques are available to the Turkish armed forces. That power could probably find out these facts eventually, but why hand them out on a silver platter?
I recommend that the department of State ascertain the views of the National Military Establishment on this section, and, if N:M.E. has no objection, the report be approved by the President.
A small map of Greece would be most helpful in understanding guerrilla operations there.
Respectfully,
July 11, 1949
MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION WITH THE PRESIDENT
Item No. 2
Return of Ambassador Stuart
The President agrees that Ambassador Stuart should not arrive in this country prior to issuance of the White Paper.
The President also believes that it is important and desirable for the Ambassador to visit Canton before returning. He believes that it would not be understood in the United States for the Ambassador to return after being out of touch for so long with the Government to which he is accredited.
S:DA:be
July 11, 1949
MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION WITH THE PRESIDENT
Item No. 4
Names for the Palestine Conciliation Commission
The President approved the names of Messrs. Compton, Porter, Wyatt, McKelway, Taft, Grew, Shaw, Satterthwaite. The President thinks very well of President Compton. He suggests that we discuss the matter with him first. Before anything is made public about the matter, Mr. Dawson at the White House Should be notified, as there will have to be some conversations in St. Louis to prepare the way.
S:DA:be