FUTURE ASSIGNMENTS FOR AMBASSADOR TASCA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-29-6-15-7
• Release Decision: RIPLIM
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: December 20, 2012
• Sequence Number: 15
• Publication Date: January 6, 1973
• Content Type: MEMO

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HAK
MEMORANDUM
" HAK MARGIN--
STAFF APP'L-----
THE WHITE HOUSE
MEMORANDUM FOR:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
WASHINGTON
FRED 1VLA.LEK
HENRY A. KISSINGER '
Future Assignments for Ambassador Tasca
ACTION 8161
January 6, 1973
Attached you will find letters from Ambassador Henry Tasca in
Athens expressing his thoughts on future assignments. These have
been brought back from Athens by Tom Pappas and passed on through
John Mitchell. You will want to put them in Ambassador Tasca's
file for consideration when his position is reviewed.
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MEMORANDUM
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NATIONAL SECURITY, COUNCIL
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ADMINISTRATIVELY CONFIDENTIAL (SECRET A.rTAdHMTJ
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ACTION
----- 8161
MEMORANDUM FOR:
FROM:
SUBJECT: '
HAROLD H. SAUNDERS
December 11, 1972
Henry Tasca's Next Assignment--A Letter
For Your Reply
Under the memorandum at Tab A are letters to you and the President--
forwarded through John Mitchell by Tom Pappas--touching on the subject
of Ambassador Tasca's next assignment. In essence, he would be happy
to stay on where he is unless "more challenging" assignments such as
the embassies in Paris or Rome were to come along. Beyond that, he
comments mainly on his assessment that our posture in Greece is "such
that whatever changes might occur in the internal political picture, there
are no likely developments which would jeopardize our vital interests there."
Tasca also sent you the back channel message under the draft message
at Tab B. He congratulated you on your role in the Vietnam negotiations
and called to your attention the letters at Tab A.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. That you send Tasca's letters to Fred Malek so that they can be
taken into account in considering his future assignment.
Z. That you approve the short back channel acknowledgment to
Tasca at Tab B.
Approve Other
ADMINISTRATIVELY CONFIDENTIAL (SECRET ATTACHMENT)
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t. 4
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- e511
ttitnk `Wrath etrtet
November 20, 1972
Dear Henry,
The enclosed were delivered to me by
Tom Pappas and not knowing what else to do with
the same, I am forwarding them to you for your
disposition.
Wishing you well with all of your
undertakings, and with kindest regards, I am
Sincerely,
John . Mitchell
.*Dr. Henry A. Kissinger
The White House
Washington, D. C.
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-
EMBASSY OF THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
The President
The White House
Washington, D. C.
Dear Mr. President:
Athens, Greece
c%t
October 13, 1972
Under your inspiring leadership, we have clearly strengthened
our bilateral security relations with Greece, as well as the
integrity of the southern flank of NATO in the Eastern Mediter-
ranean. At the same time, we have made unequivocally clear
in every appropriate way our support for the return of Greece
to some form of stable, democratic and representative govern-
ment. I have traveled all over Greece and from inumerable
contacts, I have been deeply impressed by the strong bonds of
friendship which exist between our two countries. Incidentally,
I have also been struck with the high quality and impressive
leadership of the Greek Orthodox Church as a vital element in
this friendship. Our present posture in Greece is such that
whatever changes might occur in the internal political picture,
there are no likely developments, in my view, which would
jeopardize our vital interests in this country.
Tom Pappas, my dear friend, thought I should write to you
regarding plans for the future. He has talked, I believe, to both
you and John Mitchell on this subject. The last time I saw you,
in the summer of 1971, you indicated you had another post in
mind for me.
Tom and John Mitchell both have indicated you would probably
send me to Rome after my service here. If this should material-
ize, I would be pleased to undertake this assignment because I
believe Italy's internal political problem is desperate, and also
because it could affect Vatican attitudes, particularly through
the Italian clergy, which in turn can influence internal develop-
ments in many Catholic countries.
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? IP
I have been pleased to have had the opportunity to explain why
the Nixon policy towards Greece was and remains the only valid
approach to our relations with this country. As Torn knows, I
should be happy to be helpful in any other way to you during the
period ahead, particularly in explaining our completely valid
policies in the Eastern Mediterranean.
I would not want to end this message without a word about the
wonderfully humane and understanding way in which Tom Pappas
has contributed, at times with real personal sacrifice, in main-
taining and strengthening the strong ties of friendship between
the Greek and American peoples.
With warmest personal best wishes.
Sincerely,
Henry J. Tasca
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- IP
EMBASSY OF THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Athens, Greece
October 13, 1972
The Honorable
Henry J. Kissinger
Special Assistant to the President
for
The White House
Washington, D. C.
Dear Henry:
On the eve of our national elections, I thought it might be
useful to let you know that unless something clearly,more
challenging comes up in the field, that I would be content
to remain on in Athens for an indefinite period. In my view,
9ur position ? is solidly established here, and I believe there
are no foreseeable changes which could weaken our posture
here. The Greeks now understand fully our policy of non-
intervention, our deep respect and hopes for democracy,
and the primary importance we attach to our bilateral
security interests. Homeporting is firmly established,
although a real effort will have to be made to make certain
that our military respect in full Greek sovereignty and sense
of national dignity. By the time of the deployment of the
carrier task force next summer we should be on mutually
satisfactory basis in the relations between our military and
Greek regime and government. The Cyprus problem continues
to give cause for concern. In addition to the problem of inter-
communal relations, I am personally deeply concerned by the
great strength which the Communist Party and apparatus, in
the closest cooperation with the Soviet Union, has been able to
develop in Cyprus. Fortunately, Greek-Turkish relations are
excellent at this point.
Since I have been here a little over two and one half years, I
believe a further stay here would be indicated in terms of an
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effective presence should the elements in the regime decide
to push for a big change in leadership which possibly will
render considerably more fluid the internal political situation,
a development which now seems markedly more likely than
let's say six months ago. However, I see no change adverse to
our security interests in prospect, although it is entirely pos-
sible the choice may be between one or more groups favoring
the continuance of an authoritarian system and one favoring a
quick return to some _form of parliamentary government.
In the event the President considers he wishes to use me
elsewhere, my own wishes are strongly for remaining Chief
of Mission abroad. Without casting any aspersion whatever
on present or past incumbents, should either of these posts
be open for reasons extraneous to my own wishes, I would
be interested in Rome and Paris. I have served in both
countries, know the languages, and with a strong background
in finance, trade, and trade promotion believe I could do a
first rate job for the President. I am intimately familiar
with all aspects of the dangerous internal political picture
in Italy, having been the chosen instrument of the U. S. to
press for the ousting of the communists from the government
after the war. As for France, I have felt for a long, long
time that our Ambassador to France should not only be well
grounded in the priority issues of trade, finance, exchange
rates etc., but also be able to get into a dialogue with the
French which reflects the same hardheadedness realism, and
regard for national interest which the French have always
shown themselves in their dealings with the U. S. My background
in NATO, European affairs and service in Paris from 1949 to 1953
are relevant in this context.
I have not mentioned the Federal Republic where I served for
four years and where we met for the first time, incidentally,
at a dinner given in your honor by former Foreign Minister
Brentano, because the President has just appointed an excellent
man to that post.
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I am keen on remaining in an assignment covering the whole
range of our national interests which the position of Ambassador
permits.
With warm personal best wishes.
Sincerely,
Henry J. Tasca
_
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SECRET
FROM: WHITE HOUSE
HENRY A. KISSINGER
TO:
AMEMBASSY ATHENS
AMBASaADOR TASCA/Eyes Only
Thank you for your kind message of congratulations on the
Vietnam negotiations. I have now also received your letters to me
and to the President and shall put them in the right hands.
SECRET
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PrilITTNIP
R 101449Z NOV 72
FM ATHENS
TO THE WHITE HOUSE
SECRET101449Z NOV 72
SECRET *******S COPY
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FM AMBASSADOR TASCA ATHENS 692
TO THE WHITE HOUSE, FOR, DR. HENRY A. KISSINGER
HEARTIEST CONGRATULATIONS ON THE MAGNIFICENT, AND I MAY
SAY AWE?INSPIRING, MANNER IN WHICH YOU HAVE TAKEN ON THE
PROBLEM OF BRINGING THE WAR IN VIETNAM TO A CLOSE.
ALTHOUGH I KNOW YOU ARE TREMENDOUSLY OCCUPIED WITH
THESE AND OTHER MATTERS, I DID TAKE THE LIBERTY OF WRITING
YOU A LETTER REGARDING MY FUTURE WITH THE THOUGHT YOU MIGHT
FIND THIS USEFUL IN ANY DISCUSSION OF AMBASSADORIAL APPOINTMENTS
WITH THE PRESIDENT. TOM PAPPAS VERY KINDLY UNDERTOOK TO
DELIVER IT PERSONALLY THROUGH JOHN MITCHELL TO YOU..
070
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* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *WHSR COMMENT * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
KENNEDY,HOWE,LORD
RECALLED
PSN:054337 PAGE 01 OF 01 TOR:315/15:59Z DTG:101449Z
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