GREEK ATTITUDE TO SOVIET

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 271, 28 August 1946, Page 5

GREEK ATTITUDE TO SOVIET

RECALL OF AMBASSADOR LIKELY (Rec. 12.30 p.m.) ATHENS, Aug. 27. Greek Government pressmen report from Paris that the recall of-the Soviet ambassador in Athens, Rear-Ad-miral Constantin Rodionov is likely to follow the recall of the Yugoslav Minister. Two Royalist newspapers in Athens have been brought before a tribunal after Rodionov’s complaint about the anti-Soviet attitude of the Greek press. Rodionov sent a strong note to the Greek Foreign Ministry protesting against attacks on Soviet policy, and requesting that the Ministry should instruct.the press to desist. The Greek Government replied that the Greek press wasi completely free to express whatever views it wished, although the Government did not associate itself with such comment. A Government spokesman, Vradini, in an open letter, demanded that Rodionov cease encouraging the band of murderers who constitute a small minority of Greek people. Russian, official circles state that the Russian Ambassador, Rodionov, is leaving Athens for Moscow in a few' days’ time. It was not disclosed whether he is going on leave or is being recalled. ' The Russians said his departure did not constitute a breach of diplomatic relations, nor a protest.