Robert V. Keeley Quotes
These [Greek] colonels had been plotting for years and years. They were fascists. They fitted the classic definition of fascism, as represented by Mussolini in the 1920s: a corporate state uniting industry and unions, no parliament, trains running on time, heavy discipline and censorship … almost a classic fascist ideal.
Robert V. Keeley, U. S. Ambassador to Greece, Zimbabwe, and Mauritius, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, President of the Middle East Institute, Description of the Greek colonels who, led by, George Papadopoulos, led a coup that took over Greece in April 1967
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Greece was bitterly divided between left and right. Morrow and others were very critical of policies, practices and corruption of both sides much to the chagrin of our State Department which was siding with the right out of fear of communism.
Many notables of the left and the right supported Mussolini in his early political days. Virtually all of the worst dictators were welcomed by many when they first appeared on the scene. Human nature seems to have us all looking for exceptional leaders and statesmen and that is exactly what the dictator relies upon to acquire power, By the time most recognize the truth, the dictator has control of all the levers of compulsion. Many Americans were fooled just as the Europeans were. For others, see {623202}. {623200} and {623201}.
Dodd, in Berlin from 1933 to the onset of WWII, was able to see first hand what Hitler and the Nazi Movement was really like, Although he for the United States and Churchill for England warned early on, the politics of the times would not allow any action to stop or curtail Hitler. America, in particular, had a strong isolationist Republican wing and in addition, a small but loud core of pro Fascist, Hitler admirers such as Charles Lindburg, Father Coughlin, and Henry Ford. America had virtually no serious military capacity at the time, and with the Depression, FDR had all he could do to just gradually build up the military. By the time the Democracies realized that Dodd and Churchill were right, it was too late to prevent WWII. Dodd died in 1940 just when it was clear that he had been right.
Robert Vossler Keeley had a 34-year career in the Foreign Service of the United States, from 1956 to 1989. He served three times as Ambassador: to Greece (1985–89), Zimbabwe (1980–84), and Mauritius (1976–78). In 1978–80 he was Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, in charge of southern and eastern Africa.
