May 27, 1959
KHRUSHCHEV’S MESSAGE FOR GREECE: London, 26 – Soviet Prime Minister Nikita Khrushchev has made an appeal over Radio Moscow for a «peaceful Balkan peninsula» free of missiles and atomic weapons. Speaking on the second day of his first visit to communist Albania, he condemned Italy for agreeing to the installation on its territory of missiles «directed at Russia and other ‘Socialist’ countries including Albania.» He added that «Greece, which borders on Albania, appears willing to make a similar decision.» «Decisions such as these,» he said, «are illogical and are above all contrary to the interests of the peoples of Italy and Greece.» He stressed that the Balkan peninsula should be a «zone of peace and peaceful cooperation,» adding that it should be «free of any kind of missiles or atomic weapons.» He went on to say that his country desired friendly relations with both Italy and Greece and that «these countries’ governments are taking steps that are not friendly toward Russia and other countries in the Socialist camp,» which he said were daily increasing in strength. Khrushchev claimed that the military capability of the Socialist countries was greater than that of the West. «Nevertheless,» he added, «we want peace and will never start a war.»
