March 24, 1954
SOVIET DEMARCHE: A Soviet demarche has been lodged with the Greek government over the construction of American military bases on Greek territory, the holding of major military exercises with the participation of foreign powers, and frequent visits by major US navy units to Greek ports, as well as the increase in the supply of US arms to Greece and the inspections and tours by American military command in Greece. The demarche was handed to the Greek ambassador in Moscow, Mr Kontoumas, last Saturday (March 20) by the deputy foreign minister, Mr Zorin. US AID: New York, 22 – An announcement has been made in Washington that the construction of US bases in Greece will be speeded up with the availability of large amounts of dollars for workers’ wages and for the purchase of construction materials in Greece. The projects in Greece, particularly in Crete, are considered to be most important for the air and sea defense of Greek territory. The main purpose of the US effort is to make it impossible for a repetition in Greece of the events during the German invasion.
