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The Labour Party, Denis Healey and the International Socialist Movement pp 221–263Cite as

Palgrave Macmillan

‘The Little Foreign Office of Transport House’, British Foreign Policy and Socialist Internationalism

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Part of the book series: Palgrave Studies in the History of Social Movements ((PSHSM))

Abstract

The chapter analyses the interaction of socialist internationalism and British foreign policy. The Labour Party served as an instrument of informal intervention and a channel for foreigners to interact with the British government. Socialists from Austria and Italy used their contacts to pressure the British government to favour their nation over South Tyrol. The SPD demanded a privileged treatment, as an instrument of democratisation of Germany, but debate over admission showed the socialists’ opposite positions in foreign policy. The Labour Party, especially Healey, acted as an apologist of Bevin and resorted assiduously to Greek stereotypes to defend the British complicity with the right-wing persecution in the Greek Civil War. Greek socialists appealed for the help of the Labour Party and Comisco, which finally sent a mission to Greece in 1949. The degree of independence or submission of the Labour Party to the British Government is assessed in each case.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    D. Healey (1990) The Time of My Life (London: Penguin), 76.

  2. 2.

    F. Weber (1986) Der kalte Krieg in der SPÖ: Koalitionswächter, Pragmatiker und revolutionäre Sozialisten, 1945–1950 (Wien: Verlag für Gesellschaftskritik), 28–35; 40–45.

  3. 3.

    K.L. Shell (1962) The Transformation of Austrian Socialism (New York: State University of New York), 120–122.

  4. 4.

    E. Scharf, Aussprache über Zeitprobleme, Zukunft, April 1947.

  5. 5.

    E. Scharf, Aussprache über Zeitprobleme, Zukunft, April 1947.

  6. 6.

    K. Czernetz, Die österreichischen Sozialisten und Sowjetrussland, Zukunft, June 1946.

  7. 7.

    Memorandum by the SPÖ, n.d [delivered on 3 February], The National Archives, Kew (TNA), FO 371/55282-C4431.

  8. 8.

    J. Hynd to E. Bevin, 19 April 1946; Bevin, Minute, TNA, FO 371/55282-C4654.

  9. 9.

    Weber, Der kalte Krieg in die SPÖ, 35–39.

  10. 10.

    W.H.B. Mack (Political adviser in Vienna) to O. Harvey, 17 April 1946, TNA, FO 371/55282-C4374.

  11. 11.

    W.H.B. Mack to Bevin, 18 October 1946, TNA, FO 371/55282-C12869.

  12. 12.

    Weber, Der kalte Krieg in die SPÖ, 38.

  13. 13.

    A. De Gasperi to P. Nenni, 22 October 1945, Fondazione Pietro Nenni (FPN), Fondo Pietro Nenni, b.23, f.1280.

  14. 14.

    N. Carandini to ministro, 15 October 1946, Archivio Centrale dello Stato, Roma (ACS), Fondo Nicolò Carandini (NC), b.2.

  15. 15.

    O. Pollak to W. Wodak, 13 January 1946; Wodak to K. Renner, 31 October 1945; Renner to Wodak, 9 November 1945, W. Wodak (1980) Diplomatie zwischen Parteiproporz und Weltpolitik: Briefe, Dokumente und Memoranden aus dem Nachlass Walter Wodaks 1945–1950 (Salzburg: Neugebauer), 37–38; 181; 186–187.

  16. 16.

    A. Schärf (1955) Österreichs Erneuerung: 1945–1955: das erste Jahrzehnt der Zweiten Republik, (Wien: Verlag der Wiener Volksbuchhandlung), 102.

  17. 17.

    Wodak to A. Schärf, 10 January 1946, Wodak, Diplomatie zwischen Parteiproporz und Weltpolitik, 35–36.

  18. 18.

    Hynd to Bevin, 19 April 1946, TNA, FO 371/55282-C4654. F. Scheu (1969) The Early Days of the Anglo-Austrian Society (London: Anglo-Austrian Society).

  19. 19.

    R. Luzzatto to Nenni, 20 April 1964, FPN, Fondo Pietro Nenni, b.31, f.1535. Carlyle, Minute, 16 February 1946, TNA, FO 371/55117-C969.

  20. 20.

    Ivor Thomas wrote the preface for Luzzatto’s book, R. Luzzatto (1946) Unknown War in Italy (London: New Europe Publishing).

  21. 21.

    P. Sebastiani (1983) Laburisti inglesi e socialisti italiani: dalla ricostituzione del Psi(up) alla scissione di Palazzo Barberini (Roma: Elengraf), 48–49; 90–91; 100.

  22. 22.

    Nenni to Bevin, 5 September 1945; Nenni to Bevin, 24 October [1945], FPN, Fondo Pietro Nenni, b.19, f.1118. Entry, 16 October 1945, P. Nenni (1982) Diari, Vol.1, Tempo di Guerra Fredda: diari 1943–1956, (Milano: SugarCo), 150–151. Also, Ross to Bevin, 20 December 1945, TNA, FO 371/50033-ZM6262.

  23. 23.

    Carandini to De Gasperi, 8 September 1945, ACS, NC, b.2.

  24. 24.

    Carandini to De Gasperi, 7, 16, 19 Januart 1946, I documenti diplomatici italiani, Decima Seria: 1943–1948, Vol.3, 94; 131–131; 146–149. Entry, 18–23 gennaio 1946, Nenni, Tempo di Guerra fredda, 173–177.

  25. 25.

    Hood, Minute, 6 February 1946, TNA, FO 371/57218-U1726.

  26. 26.

    Wodak to Schärf, 2 January 1946; Wodak to Laski, 29 January 1946, Wodak, Diplomatie zwischen Parteiproporz und Weltpolitik, 26–27; 62–63.

  27. 27.

    W. Wodak, ‘Problems for discussion between British and Austrian Labour Representatives’, Wodak, Diplomatie zwischen Parteiproporz und Weltpolitik, 64. Memorandum by the SPÖ, n.d [delivered on 3 February], TNA, FO 371/55282-C4431. Vienna to Foreign Office, 2 April 1946, TNA, FO 371/55282-C3713.

  28. 28.

    BBC Monitoring, 13 April 1946, TNA, FO 371/55282-C4294.

  29. 29.

    ‘Vermerk über die Unterredung zwischen Außenminister Bevin und Vizekanzler Schärf ohne Datum, wahrscheinlich 8 April 1946’, Wodak, Diplomatie zwischen Parteiproporz und Weltpolitik, 105. Mack to Harvey, 17 April 1946, TNA, FO 371/55282-C4374.

  30. 30.

    Schärf to Wodak, 31 May 1946, Wodak, Diplomatie zwischen Parteiproporz und Weltpolitik, 158–159.

  31. 31.

    Wodak to Schärf, 15 February 1946; Wodak to Schärf, 23 February 1946; Wodak to Schärf, 2 March 1946, Wodak, Diplomatie zwischen Parteiproporz und Weltpolitik, 82–85.

  32. 32.

    R. Steininger (1987) Los von Rom?: die Südtirolfrage 1945/1946 und das Gruber-De Gasperi-Abkommen, (Innsbruck: Haymon), 221.

  33. 33.

    Wodak to Schärf, 1 May 1946, Wodak, Diplomatie zwischen Parteiproporz und Weltpolitik, 124–128.

  34. 34.

    K. Gruber to L. Figl, 29 August 1946; Sitzung des österreichischen Ministerrates, 17 September 1946, quoted in Steininger, Los von Rom, 305–306; 329.

  35. 35.

    Carandini to De Gasperi, 8 September 1945 in I documenti diplomatici italiani, Decima Seria: 1943–1948, Vol.2, 697–701.

  36. 36.

    Carandini to R. Prunas, 25 settembre 1946, ACS, NC, b.2.

  37. 37.

    Entry, 15 May 1946, B. Pimlott (ed.) (1986) The Political Diary of Hugh Dalton: 1918–40, 1945–60 (London: Cape), 372.

  38. 38.

    G.M. Jennings to Cullis, 1 July 1946, TNA, FO 371/55123-C7470.

  39. 39.

    O. Sargent to Bevin, 2 July 1946, TNA, FO 371/55123-C7335.

  40. 40.

    ‘International Socialist Conference at Clacton May 17th–20th 1946’, Labour History Archive and Study Centre, People’s History Museum, Manchester (LHASC), Labour Party (LP), International Department (ID), Denis Healey’s Papers (DH), 03, 10.

  41. 41.

    Gruber to Bevin, 8 September 1945, TNA, FO 371/46606-C5490. Acabrit, Vienna to War Office, 9 September 1945, TNA, FO 371/46606-C5705.

  42. 42.

    L. Steurer (1998) ‘L’Alto Adige tra autodecisione e autonomia (1945–1946)’ in A. Del Boca (ed.) Confini contesi: la Repubblica italiana e il Trattato di pace di Parigi, 10 febbraio 1947 (Torino: Edizioni Gruppo Abele), 142–145.

  43. 43.

    Luzzatto, Unknown War in Italy, 127–128.

  44. 44.

    Hansard, HC Deb 25 July 1946 vol 426 cc282–335.

  45. 45.

    Wodak to Schärf, 17 June 1946; Wodak to Jennie Lee, 3 July 1946, Wodak, Diplomatie zwischen Parteiproporz und Weltpolitik, 168–169; 182–183.

  46. 46.

    Wodak to B. Pitterman, 22 May 1946, Wodak, Diplomatie zwischen Parteiproporz und Weltpolitik, 153.

  47. 47.

    Memorandum, 22 February 1947, ACS, NC, b.3.

  48. 48.

    A. Bullock (1983) Ernest Bevin: Foreign Secretary: 1945–1951 (London: Heinenmann), 287.

  49. 49.

    Steurer, ‘L’Alto Adige tra autodecisione e autonomia’, 119–131.

  50. 50.

    Casardi to De Gasperi, 26 November 1945, I documenti diplomatici italiani, Decima Seria: 1943–1948, Vol.2, 1012–1013.

  51. 51.

    Vienna to Foreign Office, 8 December 1945, TNA, FO 371/46606-C9309. Vienna to Foreign Office, 3 February 1946, TNA, FO 371/55117-C1346.

  52. 52.

    Rome to Foreign Office, 25 January 1946; Cullis, Minute 28 January 1946, TNA, FO 371/55117-C969.

  53. 53.

    Deutsch to Wodak, 14 May 1946; 25 June 1946, Wodak, Diplomatie zwischen Parteiproporz und Weltpolitik 143; 176. Schärf, Österreichs Erneuerung, 137.

  54. 54.

    ‘Austro-Italian socialist conference in Innsbruck’, 30 October 1947, CIA-RDP82-00457R001000400007-3, Central Intelligence Agency, Freedom of Information Act, Electronic Reading Room, https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/document/cia-rdp82-00457r001000400007-3 (accessed 30 December 2017).

  55. 55.

    J. Lee (1981) My Life with Nye (Harmondsworth: Penguin books), 168–175.

  56. 56.

    Mack to Harvey, 17 April 1946, TNA, FO 371/55282-C4374.

  57. 57.

    Carandini to De Gasperi, 19 January 1946, ACS, NC, b.2.

  58. 58.

    K. Klotzbach (1982) Der Weg zur Staatspartei: Programmatik, praktische Politik und Organisation der deutschen Sozialdemokratie 1945 bis 1965 (Berlin: Dietz), 78–81.

  59. 59.

    K. Schumacher, Brief an einen genossen in Schweden, Sozialistische Mitteilungen, November–December 1946. Die Internationale Sozialistenkonferenz in Bournemouth (8–10. November 1946), Sozialistische Mitteilungen, November–December 1946.

  60. 60.

    Quoted in R. Steininger (1979) ‘British Labour, Deutschland und die SPD 1945/46’, Internationale wissenschaftliche Korrespondenz zur Geschichte der deutschen Arbeiterbewegung, 15, 207.

  61. 61.

    Steininger, ‘British Labour, Deutschland und die SPD 1945/46’, 216–221.

  62. 62.

    ‘Proceedings of International Socialist Conference, Bournemouth, 10 Nov. 1946—Discussion on Germany’, International Institute of Social History (IISH), Socialist International (SI), 234. Steininger, Deutschland und die Sozialistische Internationale nach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg, 52.

  63. 63.

    T.C. Imlay (2014) ‘“The Policy of Social Democracy is Self-Consciously Internationalist”: The German Social Democratic Party’s Internationalism after 1945’, The Journal of Modern History, 86, 1, 86–97. M. Drögemöller (2008) Zwei Schwestern in Europa, Deutsche und niederländische Sozialdemokratie 1945–1990 (Berlim: Vorwärts Buch), 43–69. K. Misgeld. (1984) Sozialdemokratie und Aussenpolitik in Schweden: Sozialistische Internationale, Europapolitik und die Deutschlandfrage 1945–1955 (Frankfurt: Campus Verlag), 55–93.

  64. 64.

    ‘Proceedings of International Socialist Conference, Bournemouth, 10 Nov. 1946—Discussion on Germany’, IISH, SI, 234.

  65. 65.

    R.B. Kirby to Healey, 28 November 1946, LHASC, LP, DH, 4, 14.

  66. 66.

    Schumacher to Healey, 7 April 1947; Healey to Schumacher, 23 April 1947, IISH, SI, 235.

  67. 67.

    Stenogramme, 7 Juin, IISH, SI, 235.

  68. 68.

    Entry, 9 June 1947, Nenni, Tempo di Guerra Fredda, 167.

  69. 69.

    Stenogramme, 8 Juin; ‘Extract from the proceedings of the International Socialist Conference, Zurich, 6–9 June, 1947’, IISH, SI, 235.

  70. 70.

    ‘Conference Socialiste International—Zurich, 6/9 juin 1947—Seance du dimanche 8 juin 1947 (après-midi)’, IISH, SI, 235.

  71. 71.

    Klotzbach, Der Weg zur Staatspartei, 54–61.

  72. 72.

    Drögemöller, Zwei Schwestern in Europa, 66–67.

  73. 73.

    S. Shafir (1985) ‘Julius Braunthal and his Postwar Mediation Efforts between German and Israeli Socialists’, Jewish Social Studies, 47, 3–4, 267–280.

  74. 74.

    D. Healey, ‘Notes on the minutes of the Zurich conference’, LHASC, LP, International Sub-Committee, Minutes and Documents, 1947.

  75. 75.

    Steininger, Deutschland und die Sozialistische Internationale nach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg, 83–89. PPS Executive Committee to L. De Brouckère, 30 October 1947, LPHASC, LP, DH, 9, 5.

  76. 76.

    Circular 88, ‘Summary of proceedings, International Socialist Conference, Antwerp 28 November–2 December, 1947’, IISH, SI, 47.

  77. 77.

    Stenogramme, 7–8 Juin, IISH, SI, 235.

  78. 78.

    ‘Raport de la commission d’enquete envoyee par la conference de Zurich’, IISH, SI, 236.

  79. 79.

    Circular 88, ‘Summary of proceedings, International Socialist Conference, Antwerp 28 November–2 December, 1947’, IISH, SI, 47.

  80. 80.

    Healey to A. Bottomley, 12 March 1947, IISH, SI, 235.

  81. 81.

    Circular 88, ‘Summary of proceedings, International Socialist Conference, Antwerp 28 November–2 December, 1947’, IISH, SI, 47.

  82. 82.

    Steininger, Deutschland und die Sozialistische Internationale nach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg. 98–165. Imlay, “The Policy of Social Democracy is Self-Consciously Internationalist”, 81–123.

  83. 83.

    M. Van Der Goes van Naters (1980) Met en tegen de tijd (Amsterdam: Arbeiderspers), 195–208.

  84. 84.

    G. Devin (1993), L’Internationale socialiste: histoire et sociologie du socialisme internationale: 1945–1990 (Paris: Presses de la Fondation national des sciences politiques), 289–300.

  85. 85.

    Healey, The Time of my Life, 76.

  86. 86.

    V. Goldsworthy (1998) Inventing Ruritania: The Imperialism of the Imagination (New Haven: Yale University Press), 42–43; 202–212. J. Black (2003) ‘The Mediterranean as a Battleground of the European Powers: 1700–1900’ in D. Abulafia (ed.), The Mediterranean in History (London: Thames & Hudson), 281.

  87. 87.

    H. Vlavianos (1992) Greece, 1941–49: From Resistance to Civil War: The Strategy of the Greek Communist Party (London: Macmillan), 248. T.D. Sfikas (1994) The British Labour Government and the Greek Civil War, 1945–1949: The Imperialism of ‘Non-Intervention’ (Keele: Ryburn Pub), 71–72.

  88. 88.

    Sargent to Leeper, 9 November 1945 quoted in Sfikas, The British Labour Government and the Greek Civil War, 62.

  89. 89.

    A. Thorpe (2006) ‘“In a Rather Emotional State”? The Labour Party and British Intervention in Greece, 1944–5’, English Historical Review, 121, 493, 1075–1105.

  90. 90.

    Labour Party Annual Conference Report (LPACR) 1945, 114.

  91. 91.

    H. Richter (1985) British Intervention in Greece: From Varkiza to Civil War, February 1945 to August 1946 (London: Merlin press), 187–190; 387–395.

  92. 92.

    Sfikas, The British Labour Government and the Greek Civil War, 79.

  93. 93.

    Sfikas, The British Labour Government and the Greek Civil War, 80.

  94. 94.

    H. Laski to Healey, 15 May 1947, LHASC, LP, ID, DH, 07, 07.

  95. 95.

    V. Feather, ‘It happens in Greece’, [December 1945], LHASC, LP, ID, DH, 03, 01.

  96. 96.

    N. Dodds, L. Solley, S. Tiffany (1946) Tragedy in Greece: An Eye-Witness Report (London: Progress Pub. Co). On Solley see D. Lilleker (2004) Against the Cold War: The History and Political Traditions of Pro-Sovietism in the British Labour Party (London: Tauris), 85–98.

  97. 97.

    Sfikas, The British Labour Government and the Greek Civil War, 117–122; 125–132. Twickenham Trades Council to Laski, 12 June 1946, LHASC, LP, ID, DH, 03, 01.

  98. 98.

    J. Saville (1993) The Politics of Continuity: British Foreign Policy and the Labour Government, 1945–46 (London: Verso), 112–148.

  99. 99.

    Sfikas, The British Labour Government and the Greek Civil War, 130.

  100. 100.

    G.W. Vaughan (Sheffield Trades & Labour Council) to M. Phillips, 13 March 1947; W. Beck (Consett DLP) to M. Phillips, 19 July 1947, LHASC, LP, ID, DH, 07, 09.

  101. 101.

    T.E. Nixon (Morecambe Party) to the Secretary of the Labour Party, 15 November 1947, LHASC, LP, ID, DH, 07, 07.

  102. 102.

    F.J.C. Mennel to Braithwaite, 7 November 1947; Mennel to T.E. Nixon, 22 November 1947, LHASC, LP, ID, DH, 07, 07.

  103. 103.

    M. Shufeldt, Chelsea DLP in LPACR 1947, 163.

  104. 104.

    Labour Party (1947) Cards on the Table (London: Labour Party), 13.

  105. 105.

    Thorpe, ‘In a Rather Emotional State’, 1096–1102.

  106. 106.

    P. Weiler (1988) British Labour and the Cold War (Stanford: Stanford University Press), 135–164.

  107. 107.

    R.A. Howson to Lord Rusholme, 5 March 1946, LHASC, LP, ID, DH, 03, 01.

  108. 108.

    Richter, British Intervention in Greece, 22.

  109. 109.

    H. Fleischer (1987) ‘The “Third Factor”: The Struggle for an Independent Socialist Policy During the Greek Civil War’, in L. Baerentzen, J.O. Iatrides, O.L. Smith (eds), Studies in the History of the Greek Civil War 1945–1949 (Copenhagen: Museum Tusculanum), 189–197. Vlavianos, Greece, 1941–49, 39–54; 86–96.

  110. 110.

    Minute, 9 May 1946, TNA, FO 371/59570-R6618.

  111. 111.

    R. Verdier to Healey, 18 April 1946, LHASC, LP, ID, DH, 03, 01.

  112. 112.

    N. Manitakis (2004) ‘Struggling from Abroad: Greek Communist Activities in France during the Greek Civil War’, in P. Carabott and T.D. Sfikas (eds), The Greek Civil War: Essays on a Conflict of Exceptionalism (Aldershot: Ashgate), 102–105.

  113. 113.

    Examples of appeals to end persecution: SK-ELD to Labour Party, 12 June 1946; D. Paparigas to Labour Party conference, 11 June 1946; A. Svolos to Labour Party, 30 July 1946, LHASC, LP, ID, DH, 03, 01.

  114. 114.

    G. Georgalas to M. Phillips, 4 June 1946; Laski to Svolos, 12 June 1946; I. Tsirimokos, Svolos to NEC, 4 July 1946; Tsirimokos to Healey, 8 July 1946; Svolos to Labour Party, 30 July 1946; ‘Resolution of the Central Committee of December 6, 1946’, LHASC, LP, ID, DH, 03, 01.

  115. 115.

    ‘View of the Socialist Party ELD on the Greek question. On the occasion of President Truman’s message’, 15 March 1947, LHASC, LP, ID, GRE, 01. Fleischer, ‘The “Third Factor”’, 197–210.

  116. 116.

    ‘Conference socialiste international: Zurich, 6/9 Juin 1947—Cinquième séance: Dimanche 8 Juin à 9 heurs’, IISH, SI, 235.

  117. 117.

    ‘Conference socialiste international: Zurich, 6/9 Juin 1947—Quatrième séance: Samedi 7 Juin à 20 heurs 30’, IISH, SI, 235. ‘International Socialist Conference, Kongress Haus, Zurich, 6–9 June 1947—Italian Commission 7 June, 14.15. Hrs’, IISH, SI, 47.

  118. 118.

    ‘Conference socialiste international: Zurich, 6/9 Juin 1947—Première séance: Vendredi 6 Juin à 18 heurs’, IISH, SI, 235.

  119. 119.

    Foreign Office to Moscow, 2 January 1948, TNA, FO 371/72236-R325.

  120. 120.

    Svolos spoke of the arrest of 15,000 people and 300 active party members he requested attention, solidarity and material help. Healey’s response was no-committal (Svolos to Labour Party, 21 July 1947; Healey to Svolos, 1 August 1947, LHASC, LP, ID, DH, 07, 08).

  121. 121.

    Athens to Foreign Office, 6 January 1948, TNA, FO 371/72237-R270.

  122. 122.

    ‘[The Conference] formally condemns all intervention by foreign states in the affairs of Greece and considers that only a truly democratic Government free from outside pressure can restore peace and freedom in that country’ (‘Minutes of the International Socialist Conference, Antwep 28 November–2 December 1947—Resolution on Peace and Economic Reconstruction’, IISH, SI, 47).

  123. 123.

    Svolos, Tsirimokos to Labour Party, 20 January 1948, LHASC, LP, ID, GRE, 01.

  124. 124.

    Fleischer, ‘The “Third Factor”’, 203–210.

  125. 125.

    ‘Sumary of Proceedings—International Socialist Conference Antwerp 28 November–2 December 1947’, IISH, SI, 47.

  126. 126.

    Entry, 29 November 1947, Nenni, Tempo di Guerra Fredda, 401.

  127. 127.

    Circular 80, Report of the First Meeting of COMISCO, 10 January 1948, IISH, SI, 47.

  128. 128.

    ‘Report on Hungary by Denis Healey’, February 1947, LHASC, LP, International Sub-Committee, Minutes and Documents, 1947.

  129. 129.

    D. Healey, ‘Report on the 27th Congress of the Polish Socialist Party in Wroclaw, December 14–16, 1947’, LHASC, LP, International Sub-Committee, Minutes and Documents, 1947.

  130. 130.

    The differences between the French, English and German versions of the resolutions were to become a recurring feature of the Socialist International, so as to make each resolution less embarrassing and more useful for every party. (Devin, L’Internationale socialiste, 338–342).

  131. 131.

    Svolos to Labour Party, 18 January 1948, LHASC, LP, ID, GRE, 01. Circular 117, ‘Report by M.C.Bolle (Holland) on Activities since the Vienna Meeting of Comisco (3 June 1948)’; Circular 121, Report on Fourth Comisco meeting, 3 December 1948, IISH, SI, 47.

  132. 132.

    Athens to Foreign Office, 24 March 1948, TNA, FO 371/72320-R3864.

  133. 133.

    Published in the ‘Vimaì of 28th March, 1948’, TNA, FO 371/72320-R4546.

  134. 134.

    Athens to Foreign Office, 1 January 1948, TNA, FO 371/72237-R94. E.H. Peck, 7 January 1948, TNA, FO 371/72237-R270.

  135. 135.

    C. Norton to G.A. Wallinger, 7 January 1948, TNA, FO 371/72238-R953.

  136. 136.

    Peck, Minute, 5 January 1948, TNA, FO 371/72237-R94.

  137. 137.

    H.G. Gee, Minute, 14 January 1948, TNA, FO 371/72320-R795.

  138. 138.

    Athens to Foreign Office, 22 January 1948, TNA, FO 371/72320-R998.

  139. 139.

    Balfour, Minute, 30 January 1948, TNA, FO 371/72320-R998.

  140. 140.

    Athens to Foreign Office, 28 January 1948; Balfour, Minute, 29 January 1948; Wallinger, Minute, 29 January 1948; Gee, Minute, 3 February 1948, TNA, FO 371/72320-R1257.

  141. 141.

    M. Phillisps to Svolos, 4 February 1948; Svolos to the Prime Minister, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, 15 February 1948, TNA, FO 371/72320-R3759.

  142. 142.

    Minute, 15 January 1948, TNA, FO 371/72320-R795.

  143. 143.

    Athens to Foreign Office, 16 March 1948, TNA, FO 371/72320-R3487.

  144. 144.

    Peck, Minute, 17 March 1948, TNA, FO 371/72320-R3487.

  145. 145.

    F.A. Warner, Minute, 17 March 1948, TNA, FO 371/72320-R3487.

  146. 146.

    Foreign Office to Athens, 20 March 1948, TNA, FO 371/72320-R3487. G. Faravelli to Gelo, 20 March 1948, in P.C. Masini and S. Merli (eds) (1990) Il socialismo al bivio: l’archivio di Giuseppe Faravelli, 1945–1950 (Milano: Fondazione Giangiacomo Feltrinelli), 296–297.

  147. 147.

    M. Phillips to Bevin, 5 November 1948; C. Mayhew to M. Phillips, 11 November 1948, TNA, FO 371/72320-R12874.

  148. 148.

    Circular 121, Report on Fourth Comisco meeting, 3 December 1948, IISH, SI, 47.

  149. 149.

    ‘Minutes of the meetings of the Comisco Sub-committee January 6, 1949’, LHASC, LP, International Sub-Committee, Minutes and Documents, 1949.

  150. 150.

    Athens to Foreign Office, 7 December 1948, TNA, FO 371/72320-R13774.

  151. 151.

    Svolos to M. Phillips, 14 December 1948, LHASC, LP, ID, GRE, 01.

  152. 152.

    Peck to J. Tahourdin, 21 January 1949, TNA, FO 371/78452-R516.

  153. 153.

    Peck to Tahourdin, 17 January 1949, TNA, FO 371/78452-R516.

  154. 154.

    Circular 8/49, D. Healey and V. Larock, ‘Socialism in Greece’, IISH, SI, 48. The ambassador reported on the visit, but was not present at the talks (Norton to Bevin, 9 February 1949, TNA, FO 371/78403-R1612). Healey published an account in D. Healey, Mediterranean impressions-2, Tribune, 18 February 1949.

  155. 155.

    Goldsworthy, Inventing Ruritania, 18–20.

  156. 156.

    Circular 8/49, ‘Declaration to Comisco by the plenum of the Central Committee of ELD, the Greek Socialist Party. 31st Jan. 1949’, IISH, SI, 48.

  157. 157.

    Fleischer, ‘The “Third Factor”’, 210.

  158. 158.

    P.J. Stavrakis (1989) Moscow and Greek Communism, 1944–1949 (Ithaca: Cornell University Press), 180.

  159. 159.

    ‘ELD Resolution on the Change in KKE Policy’, TNA, FO 371/78403-R1913. Circular 15/49, International Socialist Conference Newsletter, March 1949, IISH, SI, 2.

  160. 160.

    ‘ELD Resolution on the Change in KKE Policy’, TNA, FO 371/78403-R1913. However, the SK-ELD denied that the declaration was the result of pressure from Comisco (Athens to Southern Department, 23 February 1949, TNA, FO 371/78403-R2236).

  161. 161.

    Athens to Southern Department, 16 February 1949; Peck, Minute, 19 February 1949, TNA, FO 371/78403-R1913.

  162. 162.

    Wallinger, Minute, 15 February 1949, TNA, FO 371/78403-R2071.

  163. 163.

    McNeil, Minute, n.d. [16 February 1949], TNA, FO 371/78403-R2072.

  164. 164.

    Athens to Southern Department, 16 February 1949, TNA, FO 371/78403-R1913.

  165. 165.

    Circular 8/49, D. Healey and V. Larock, ‘Socialism in Greece’, IISH, SI, 48.

  166. 166.

    D. Healey, Mediterranean impressions-1, Tribune, 11 February 1949.

  167. 167.

    Peck, Minute, 15 February 1949, TNA, FO 371/78403-R2071.

  168. 168.

    D. Healey, Mediterranean impressions-2, Tribune 18 February 1949.

  169. 169.

    Comisco approved the results of the mission of Healey and Larock (Circular 9/49, 7 March 1949, IISH, SI, 48).

  170. 170.

    Minutes of the International Sub-Committee, 15 February 1949, LHASC, LP, ID, DH, 12.

  171. 171.

    ‘The General Problem of Greece Today’, TNA, FO 371/78403-R2071. Healey later added a more detailed plan for economic intervention (D. Healey, ‘Memorandum on the Greek situation’, TNA, FO 371/78452-R3463).

  172. 172.

    McNeil to Healey, 14 February 1949, TNA, FO 371/78403-R2071.

  173. 173.

    Healey to Bevin, 8 March 1949, TNA, FO 371/78452-R3463.

  174. 174.

    Wallinger, ‘Note for the talk with labour Party delegation on Greece’, 16 March 1949; Peck, ‘Labour Party delegation to Greece’, 22 March 1949, TNA, FO 371/78452-R3464.

  175. 175.

    Healey, The Time of my life, 92.

  176. 176.

    D. Healey, Mediterranean impressions-2, Tribune, 18 February 1949.

  177. 177.

    Tahourdin to Peck, 23 March 1949, TNA, FO 371/78403-R3365.

  178. 178.

    ‘Summary of activities (18–28 January inclusive)’, IISH, SI, 57.

  179. 179.

    Circular 34/49, ‘International Socialist Conference, Baarn, Holland, 14–16 May 1949—Summarised Report of Proceedings’, IISH, SI, 48.

  180. 180.

    Peck, “Comisco resolution on Greece”, 17 May 1947, TNA, FO 371/78403-R5165.

  181. 181.

    ‘Issued by the International Socialist Conference Committee Office on 7 January 1950’; ‘Issued by the International Socialist Conference Committee Offices on 3 April 1950’; ‘Report of activities 21 June—30 September 1950’, IISH, SI, 57. Circular 179/50, 18 September 1950, IISH, SI, 55. Circular 55/51, Report on Comisco Meeting, 2–4 March 1951, IISH, SI, 59.

  182. 182.

    Circular 74/50, ‘The meeting of the committee of the International Socialist Conference at Hastings, 18–19 March, 1950’, IISH, SI, 52.

  183. 183.

    Circular 94/50, IISH, SI, 52. Circular 17/51, ‘Annual Report of the Activities of the International Socialist Conference, 1 January–31 December 1950’, 12 February 1951, IISH, SI, 58.

  184. 184.

    ‘Rapport de la president Isabelle Blume de la Commission sur entr’aide’, Novembre 1947, IISH, SI, 47.

  185. 185.

    Circular 18/50, Svolos and Tsirimokos to Comisco, 23 January 1950, IISH, SI, 50.

  186. 186.

    ‘Letters received 1 February–6 March 1950’, IISH, SI, 57.

  187. 187.

    Circular 139/50, ‘Loan or grant to Greek Socialist Party ELD’, 20 June 1950, IISH, SI, 53.

  188. 188.

    ‘Minutes of the meeting of the International Socialist Conference Sub-Committee, 28 June 1950’; ‘Loan or grant to Greek Socialist Party ELD’, 26 September 1950, IISH, SI, 57.

  189. 189.

    Circular 186/50, Report of activities of Comisco, from June to September 1950, 30 September 1950, IISH, SI, 55. ‘Minutes of the meeting of the International Socialist Conference Sub-Committee, 20 October 1950’; ‘Report of activities and correspondence 7 November–11 December 1950’, IISH, SI, 57.

  190. 190.

    Circular 102/51, 13 September 1951, IISH, SI, 61.

  191. 191.

    Circular B. 18/53, ‘Report on activities, 15 April–30 June 1953’, IISH, SI, 73.

  192. 192.

    Circular B. 28/53, ‘The crisis in Greek socialism—Memorandum submitted by A.J. Svolos’, 12 November 1953, IISH, SI, 73.

  193. 193.

    D.H. Close (1995) The Greek Civil War (London: Longman), 82.

  194. 194.

    Fleischer, ‘The “Third Factor”’, 211.

  195. 195.

    Fleischer, ‘The “Third Factor”’, 212f.

  196. 196.

    Steininger, ‘British Labour, Deutschland und die SPD 1945/46’, 189.

  197. 197.

    D. Sassoon (2012) One Hundred Years of Socialism: The West European Left in the Twentieth Century (London: Tauris, 2010), 636–642.

  198. 198.

    Rome to Foreign Office, 15 October 1947, TNA, FO 371/67767-Z9073. J. Ward to I. Mallet, 23 June 1949, TNA, FO 371/79300-Z4477.

  199. 199.

    Signor de Gasperi Surmounts Another Crisis, Economist, 14 April 1951.

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Costa, E. (2018). ‘The Little Foreign Office of Transport House’, British Foreign Policy and Socialist Internationalism. In: The Labour Party, Denis Healey and the International Socialist Movement. Palgrave Studies in the History of Social Movements. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-77347-6_7

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