The Truman Doctrine (Harry S. Truman)

The Truman Doctrine
(Harry S. Truman)
Mar. 12, 1947.
杜 鲁 门 主 义
（哈里·杜鲁门）
1947.3.12

Brief intr0duction to the speaker:

Harry Truman (1884-1972) in the afternoon of April 12, 1945, President Franklin D. Roosevelt died. That evening, at 7fO9 P.M., Vice-President Harry S. Truman took the oath of office as the 33rd president of the United States. On Dec. 31, 1946, President Truman declared an end to the period of World War ll hostilities. Early in 1947 the British said they could not support the Greek government after March 31. Many diplomats feared that the Soviet Union would then spread its power throughout the Middle East. President Truman met the problem by asking Congress for 400 million dollars to aid Greece and Turkey. Congress appropriated the money. This policy of aid, popularly known as the Truman Doctrine, was an American challenge to Soviet ambitions throughout the world.

Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, members of the Congress of the United States:

The gravity of the situation which confronts the world today necessitates my appearance before a grand session of the Congress. The foreign policy and the national security of this country are involved. One aspect of the present situation which I present to you at this time for your consideration and decision concerns Greece and Turkey

The United States has received from the Greek government an urgent appeal for financia1 and economic assistance. Preliminary report from the American Economic Mission now in Greece, and reports from the American ambassador in Greece, collaborate the statement of the Greek government that assistance is imperative if Greece is to survive as a free nation. I do not believe that the American people and the Congress wish to turn a deaf ear to the appeal of the Greek government.

Greece is not a rich country Lack of sufficient natural resources has airways forced the Greek people to work hard to lnake both ends meet. Since 194O, this industrious, peace-loving country has suffered invasion, four years of cruei, enemy-occupation, and bitter internal strife. When forces of Liberation entered Greece, they found that the retreating Germans had destroyed virtually all the rai1ways, roads, port facilities, communications, and merchant marine. More than a thousand villages had been burned, eighty-five percent of the children were tuberculated, livestock, poultry and drall animals had almost disappeared, inflation had wiped out practica1Iy a1I savings. As a result of these tragic conditions, a militant minority exploiting human mores and miseryl was able to create po1itica1 chaos which until now has made economic recovery impossible. Greece is today without fullds to finance the importation of those goods that are essential to bare subsistence. Under these circumstances, the peop1e of Greece cannot make progress in solving their problems of reconstruction. Greece is in desperate need of financial and economic assistance to enable it to resume purchases of food, clothing, fuel, and seeds. These are indispensable for the subsistence of its people and are obtainable only from abroad. Greece must have help to import the goods necessary to restore internal order and security so essential for economic and political recovery

The Greek government has also asked for the assistance of experienced American administrators, economists, and technicians, to ensure that the financial and other aid given to Greece shall be used effectively in creating a stable and self-sustaining economy and in improving its public administration.

The very existence of the Greek state is today threatened by the Lerrorist activities of several thousand armed men, led by Communists, who defy the government's authority at a number of points, particularly along the northern boundaries A commission appointed by the tJnited Natiolls Security Council is at present investigating disturbed conditiol1s in northern Greece, and alleged border violations along the tiontier between Greece on the one hand and A1bania, Bulgaria, and Yugoslavia on the other. Meanwhi1e, the Greek government is unable to cope with the situation. The Greek army is small and poorly equipped. It needs supplies and equipment. if it is to restore authority to the government throughout Greek territory Greece must have a system if it is to become a self supporting and self respecting democracy

The United States must supply this assistance. We have already extended to Greece certain types of relic and economic aid, but these are inadequate. There is no other country to which democratic Greece can turn. No other nation is willing, and able, to provide the necessary support for a democratic Greek government. We must take immediate and resolute action.

I therefore ask the Congress to provide authority for assistance to Greece and Turkey in the amount of 4 hundred million dollars for the period ending JuT1e 30, 1948. In requesting these funds, I have taken into consideration the maximum amount of relief assistance which would be furnished to Greece out of the 350 million dollars which I recently requested that the Congress authorize for the prevention of starvation and suffering in countries devastated by the war. In addition to funds, I ask the Congress to authorize the detail of American civilian and military personnel to Greece and Turkey at the request of those countries to assist in the tasks of reconstruction, and for the purpose of supervising the use of such financial and material assistance as may be furnished. I recommend that authority also be provided for the instruction and training of selected Greek and Turkish personnel.

Finally I ask that the Congress provide authority which will permit the speediest and most effective use in terms of needed commodities, supplies and equipment as such funds as may be authorized. lf further funds, or further authority should be needed for the purposes indicated in this message, I shall not hesitate to bring this situation before the Congress. On this subject, the executive and legislative branches of the government must work together We must keep that hope alive. The free people of the world look to us for support in maintaining their freedom. If we falter in our leadership, we may endanger the peace of the world, and we shall surely endanger the welfare of this nation. Great responsibi1ities have been placed upon us by the swift movement of events, I am confident that the Congress will face these responsibilities squarely