The question of the post war developments in Greece have been long raised by anti-Soviet elements. Little in the way of authentic documentation has been available to counter this. This discussion between Zhdanov and Zachariadis gives a glimpse of the relations of the CPSU (b) and the CPG during the course of the national liberation war in Greece. The document was handwritten by Zhdanov and so is not always legible. (Ed)

The civil war has been going on for a year now. There is now a known balance of power. In material terms, we have less. Nothing will come of it with cleansing operations. They have cities. We cannot drive them out of the cities (because there is no artillery).

(Kilkish.)¹

Dem[ocratic] army without Crete and Peloponnese is 20 thousand people. We can increase the number of people to 50 thousand if we have the appropriate weapons. In 1947 we can create a special region out of Northern Greece, including Thessaloniki

We do not count on open help. The Yugoslavs help us well, but not enough. You can get weapons by sailing ships by purchasing them without risk from Palestine, Egypt, France (English and American weapons). Possibility of using contraband. We'll do everything ourselves. It’s more profitable for us to [learn?] [unclear] from the South [unclear]. [unclear] sits in Thessaloniki all the time.

Prospects:

Now 1/3 of Greece (without the Peloponnese) is in the hands of partisans (except for Crete and the Peloponnese). If a base is created in the North, then soon all of Greece will be ours.

Political [situation]:

EAM²  – 5 parties, however, with the exception of the peasant and communist parties, they are small, but have traditions and influence among the [unclear] (socialist) party. We do not seek a coup, but to open the way to democratic development, we demand new elections.

English politics is bankrupt. It's [deserved].

There are many former deputies and ministers in EAM. No one hesitated. A united political force.

The former prime minister, general (chief on the list) joined the EAM and is the chairman of the Democratic Union.

How did the situation change after Trum[an]'s speech?

– continuation of English policy, which failed

our slogans: get out of Greece.

The reaction was a little encouraging, but not for long.

The bulk of the people did not waver.

Government army

The government essentially does not have a mass army. 48 came from one village, 37 of them were released as politically unreliable.

25% of our (supporters) serve in the government’s army, and with sympathizers it's up to 50%.

Partsalidis (Secretary of the EAM Central Committee) was in Thessaloniki in January. Officers turned to him for clarification about EAM’s attitude towards them.

It's even better in our fleet. There are even entire ships ([individual?] destroyers) that could [set out?] during mobilization times.

In aviation, our position is also not bad, but the government doesn’t have much aviation.

Saiyan dishonestly betrayed the union to the British.

Among workers and peasants, EAM has a majority.

Where there were opportunities, more or less 70% voted for us.

All the major intelligentsia is with us.

The intervention of England and the USA prevents us from intervening.

On relations between the USSR and Greece

USA and England – they buy everyone

The USSR could be more active in Greece:

talk to someone

They killed the chairman of the Greek-Soviet society in one of the volosts. The embassy is silent.

VOKS³  – doesn't help at all

    3. Society of Cultural Relations with the Soviet Union

Orthodox Church:

Maybe something along the lines of the church. There are now several EAM linked metropolitans who have been removed. Find a way through patriarch.

In Greece there are archaeological developments. Nobody comes from the USSR. Archaeologists[unclear]

SovKino needs to be reorganized. Soviet films are very popular. It was headed by a communist. [Did someone recall him?] A note in the communication part.

Let the USSR find a Greek bourgeois there and let him organize commercial distribution.

t. Zhd[anov] There will be even greater fights, bigger reserve. We must be saved for big things.

Z[achariadis] Consult to what extent to expand the movement.

The consignment

The asset is strong and loyal. One can [rely] and hope on the Greek party.

More than 100 thousand [thousand] people are fighting against us. How do they fight? “They are reluctant to fight.” Nothing works out for them.

The democratic army is fed voluntarily by peasants. We even gave an order to pay.

Requests:

Help financially so we can buy [?]

Zhd[anov] Your struggle broke the teeth of the British and is raising the world against Truman. Not everyone understands that in order to throw in all the forces, the USSR must choose the moment. We understand your impatience.

Z[achariadis]. “There is no such mood in the Greek party. If necessary, we will sacrifice everything.”

Zh[danov] You are carriers of the national idea and therefore the reaction and interventionists are unnatural.

Sometimes you have to pay attention by not paying attention.

Your requests for the party, for all of Greece (cultural connection).

RGASPI.  F. 17. Op. 128. D. 1019, pages 33-37. Script. Handwritten text.

With acknowledgements to N. Svetlov.

Translated from the Russian by Irina Malenko.

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