Security 431.

GREECE

Your 430.

1. I [1] saw Gromyko today and put forward suggestions contained
in your paragraph 5. I emphasised point that in view of apparent
irreconcilable points of view, no resolution or action supported
by either the United States or U.S.S.R. appeared acceptable. The
Council could not in consequence wash its hands of the affair and
declare its impotence. I also emphasised points about avoiding any
decision on merits of case and not apportioning blame to anyone.

2. He made it clear at once that Soviet position expressed in
minority chapters of Commission's report and in Soviet Resolution
Doc. S/404 was unchanged. He was prepared to accept resolution
containing determination that situation in Greece constitutes
threat to the peace under Article 39, but only provided resolution
stated that Greek Government was responsible and was sole cause of
that threat. He would also agree that resolution should call on
all four Governments to refrain from hostile acts but could not
agree to border observers which he said was infringement of
sovereignty.

3. In other words Soviet adheres to view that Greek Government
supported by other powers is solely responsible for the present
situation, that if there are hostile actions they are caused by
Greece. He said any finding under 39 which did not clearly state
that Greece was responsible would be quite unacceptable as a basis
for agreement.

4. In response to my reflection that I hoped he had some
alternative in mind he replied there was his own proposal and this
should be acceptable if the Council were authorized to face
squarely up to the true facts.

5. I fear that further approach along these lines will be
fruitless as obviously Gromyko cannot depart from his
instructions. However, I think it is worth drafting a concrete
proposal and approaching the United Kingdom and United States on
it. It is at least an attempt to do something. The approach vide
no Greek letter [2] is useless as it will only give rise to new
recriminations. During part of afternoon session devoted to Greek
question Gromyko also made clear that he regarded Colombian
proposals as identical in principle with United States. We shall,
therefore, have draft resolution ready to submit tomorrow
afternoon in case you tell us to go ahead.