Sir C.J. Norton to M.C.Tsaldaris
Athens 31 st March, 1947
Monsieur le Ministre,
I have the honour to inform your Excellency that His
Majesty 's Government in the United Kingdom have agreed
to a tranfer of responsibility for the administration of
the Dodecanese Islands from the existing British
Administration to a Greek Military Administration with
effect from twelve noon today. The transfer is made on
the understanding that the Royal Hellenic Government
recognise than no transfer of sovereignty over the
Islands can take place until the date of the entry into
force of the Peace Treaty with Italy: that until that
date the Royal Government will maintain a Military
Administration in the Islands in accordance with the
terms of the Hague Convention of 18th October, 1907:and
that the Royal Government will be ready to proceed to the
conclusion of further agreements with His Majesty's
Government in the United Kingdom concerning matters of
detail arising out of this transfer of military
administration.
2. I should be grateful if your Excellency would be so
good as to confirm that the Royal Hellenic Government
agree to take over responsibility for the administration
of the Dodecanese Islands on the above understanding.
I avail, &c
(Signed) C.J.NORTON
M.C.Tsaldaris to Sir C.J. Norton
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Athens, 31st March, 1947
Your Excellency,
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of the
letter of today, by which your Excellency has been good
enough to inform me that His Majesty's Government in the
United Kingdom have agreed...
[As in paragraph I of No. 1]
2. I hasten to confirm to your Excellency that the Royal
Hellenic Government agree to take over responsibility for
the administration of the Dodecanese Islands on the above
understanding.
3. On this occasion I would ask your Excellency to be
good enough to convey to His Majesty' s Government and
their sincere appreciation of the way in which the
British Military Administration has been carried on since
the liberation of the Islands.
I avail, &.
C. Tsaldaris
[TEXT OF THE CONVENTION]
2. It is agreed between the Royal Hellenic Government and
His Majesty' s Government in the United Kingdom that the
question of responsibility for the cost of the
administration incurred during the British occupation of
the islands shall remain a matter for the subsequent
negotiation along the lines eventually adopted for the
settlement of similar costs in non-metropolitan
territories over which the provisions of the Peace
Treaty, Italy is to relinquish sovereignty, the financial
potentiality of Greece being taken into consideration.
Any debts which municipalities and parastatal companies
in the Dodecanese owe to the British Military
Administration in respect of advances for working capital
shall remain a subject for negotiation between the two
Governments.
3. The British Military Administration occupation
currency in circulation in the Dodecanese will be
redeemed within five days from the 7th, April, 1947, by
the Greek Military Administration at the rate of 20.000
Drachmae to the B.M.A. Special provision will be made for
conversion after the expiry of this time limit in cases
where good cause can can be shown why such currency,
legally acquired, cannot be presented for convention by
the 12th April. The currency so redeemed will be
tranferred to a blocked account. Its disposal will be a
matter for subsequent negotiation between the two
Governments in association with the settlement of
administration costs.
4. His Majesty' s Government in the United Kingdom agree
to waive all claim to military material, captured from
the Italian and German forces formerly in occupation of
the Dodecanese, still remaining in the Islands on 1st
April, 1947. His Majesty' s Government also agree that
the Ruyal Governement may, if they so wish, acquire
surplus stores and equipiment belonging to the British
Military Administration on terms to be subsequently
between the two Governments.
5. It is understood that a Royal Hellenic Government will
make effective payment for stocks of food left in the
Islands on 31st March, by the British Military
Administration and imported into the Islands after that
date, in such manner as His Majesty' s Government may
decide. The question of the U.N.R.R.A. articles will be
settled by negotiation between the two Governments.
6. I should be grateful if your Excellency would be good
as to confirm that the Royal Hellenic Government accept
the above provisions.
I avail, &
C.J.NORTON
M.C. Tsaldaris to Sir C.J.Norton
Athens 7th April, 1947
Your Excellency,
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of the
letter of today' s date, by which your Excellency has
benn good enough to inform me that His Majesty' s
Government in the United Kingdom have agreed to the
following further provisions regarding additional matters
arising out of the tranfer of the administation of the
Dodecanese Islands from the British Military
Administration to a Greek Military Administration:
I have the honour to confirm to your Excellency that
the Royal Hellenic Government accept the above
provisions.
I avail &
C.Tsaldaris