GREEK COUP CAUGHT U.S. BY SURPRISE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP75-00149R000700460010-7
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 7, 2004
• Sequence Number: 10
• Publication Date: July 1, 1967
• Content Type: NSPR

Page Pa1AppFk>Wd3ok Rellafte ree 2/ : CIA-RD
PHOENIX, ARIZONA LOUD
- vn~+us aaa `
E-89,142
JYL__1__ __,1967
Cdught U:S.
By
Surprise'
A strong hope that the mili-
U.S. review of whether or, not
to continue the massive military
aid program to Greece, in view
of recent developments, soon[
Moreover, he flatly denied amy",
covert U.S. hand, such as CIA
in tha matter
.
. g
en
was
"caught by surprise" by the
junta coup last April 21.
ble shooter, Talbot admitted PHILLIPS TALBOT
that the U
S
overnm
t
A top State Department trou-
tary junta will return Greece
to constitutional, parliamentary
government, as it promises,
was expressed here today by
U.S. Ambassador to Greece
Phillips Talbot.
TALBOT ASSERTED that
-KING Constantine has ac-
While Talbot didn't detail they
matter in a brief interview, the;
cause hevidently acquiesed e had little choice and'
"since the junta had pledged it
r will proceed with'-the new con-
I stitution.
A CONSTITUTIONAL corn-
mittee, the ambassador ob-
served, is scheduled to report
at the end of November and,
thereafter, a plebiscite of the
people is to follow, a principal
step toward return to consti-
tutianality.
Talbot confirmed that the re-
gine's strict (some said totali-
Itarian) rule has been
!.fgpftened. Press +censorship,
Jqr example, has been relieved,
f'he said.
SINCE 1946'THE U.S. has;
$80 million, $78.7 million of
0
which was military.
'C The ambassador' his wife and
e"ltt son are visiting relatives here.
Talbot's mother, Mrs. Kenneth
H. Talbot, resides at 4314 N.'
20th St-, with his sister, Vir4
ginia; his brother, Arthur, live;
at $122 W, Sells Drive.
0-7
Approved For Release 2004112/15: CL -RDP75-00149R000700460010-7
quiesc4ti in the new military
regime, the ambassador said.