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30 August

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By Liakhovetsky, Ivan Mikhailovich (Maisky)

The Complete Maisky Diaries: Volume 2

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30 August

A visit from Simopoulos. The Italian press campaign against Greece causes him great anxiety. Yet he doubts that Italy will attack Greece. For what can Italy gain from it? The first consequence of such a step would be for England to occupy Crete (and its magnificent Bay of Suda) and other Greek islands. British warships are already on patrol near Crete. It would mean that British sea and air bases operating against Italy would be transferred from Alexandria to Crete or even Cephalonia. Why would Italy want this?… Simopoulos, therefore, is inclined to think that Mussolini is bluffing and wants to scare Greece in order to get something from it. What exactly? That is not yet clear.

Momchilov came by. He spoke at length about the declining influence of the Italians in Bulgaria, and said that Sofia has decided against raising the matter of Dobrudja now, as it counts on receiving it without a fight and for good at the end of the war. Besides, Bulgaria realizes that Turkey would interfere if this issue were raised in a serious manner. That would lead to an armed conflict, and Bulgaria desires war least of all.

I saw Aras and inquired about Turkey’s position with regard to the Italian campaign against Greece. Aras declared that Turkey is obliged to bring its

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armed forces to Greece’s aid in only two circumstances: (1) if Bulgaria attacks Greece (the Balkan Entente) and (2) if a third power threatens the ‘maritime boundary’ between Greece and Turkey (the mutual assistance pact between Greece and Turkey). The maritime boundary is understood to be the Aegean Sea and its coastline.

I asked what Turkey would do should Italy attempt to seize Saloniki.

Aras started to wriggle. I gleaned from his words that if the Italians had already entered Saloniki, Turkey would have to interfere.

‘All right,’ I answered, pressing him further, ‘and if the Italians were not yet in Saloniki, but had already begun their march on Saloniki from Albania – what would Turkey do then?’

Aras spread his arms and replied that in that case the ‘interpretation’ of the agreement between Greece and Turkey would be crucial. He went on to admit that this ‘interpretation’ would wholly depend on the Soviet position.

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Document Title30 August

AuthorLiakhovetsky, Ivan Mikhailovich (Maisky)

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DescriptionN/A

Date1940 Aug 30

AOC VolumeThe Complete Maisky Diaries: Volume 2

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