SYMPATHY FOR GREEK BANDITS

Chronicle (Levin), 14 October 1946, Page 5

SYMPATHY FOR GREEK BANDITS

Press Assn.'

ASSISTANCE COMES FROM AUTHORITIES ACR0SS THE B0RDERS

. By Telegraph

tCopyrlght

Received Monday, 11.55 a.m. LONDON, Oetober 13. • A di.spas«iona1e examinalion of the reports 1'rQin many sonrees fon vinces reasonable. observers tliat tlie authorities aerosx the borders fully synipathise witli Ihe Greek Guerrillas, and do nothing to lauder their aeliviliex, says the Times' xpecial correspondenl, analysing 1 lio present Greek troubles. Tio adds that llio niain spring; of 1ho rebel inovemont 5s ,1lio Greek Gomnmnist Party (K.K.K.), which is the ooro of E.A.M.

Though the Communist-controll-ed E.A.M. includes many nonCommunists and plain Republicans, K.K.E's. object apparently is to do everything possible to delay the retum of peace and reconstruction while proclaiming that the conditions throughout the country arise from the oppressive policy of a "reactionary Government," and that all would be well if there was a change in regime to the Extreme Left. Most Greeks believe the ! K.K.E., and indeed the Communists everywhere act only under orders from Moscow. This conviction is confirmed by the aid the guerrillas receive from across the Albanian, Yugoslav and Bulgarian borders. The authorities' have taken from the guerrillas Russian rifles and alsp identity cards faeilitating frontier crossings, which are issued by the Yugoslav authorities. Contending with this situation is a Government working under severe handicaps. It is not broadly

hased and has been refused cqoperation from the moderate Left Wing Parties, and it fears to declare the Greek Communisi Party illegal. It is accused of being pnforgiving to the extent of making it imppssible for the bands whc vecome disgusted with the K.K.E. to leave their mountain safety. The Government also has to contend with the fact that a great many (3reeks believe the object of ! the gctivities on the northern ' borders is to provoke Greece into appearing an aggressor, and pro- , vide an excuse for an attack i against her by the Slav pioc. i There remains an upbridgeable gulf between the Extreme Left and Extreme fright, boding ill for the Greek political life, which already is not over tolerant. Those who .remember that Greece stood when others took the easy way must be ! dismayed that so much misery Ishould be visited on her.