STALEMATE SEEN IN GREECE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 69, Issue 50, 8 December 1948, Page 5

STALEMATE SEEN IN GREECE

Mr Truman Reports on U.S. Aid GOVERNMENT AND ARMY “PARTLY TO BLAME” (N.Z.P. A.—Copyright) WASHINGTON, December G. President Truman, in a report to Congress to-day, said that the Greek army was partly to blame for what he called the stalemate in its war against the Greek rebels. He said that it had failed to make “a determined effort” after its series of victories during the summer, and that an encouraging prospect for the defeat of the rebel forces had failed to materialise in spite of the delivery of over 170,000,000 dollars’ worth of United States arms and supplies. In contrast, American aid to Turkey was showing definite results. Significant progress had been made toward increasing the fire-power and efficiency of the Turkish army to enable it to continue to resist Communist pressure.

Mr Truman added: “The Turkish people have taken advantage of their opportunity. Turkey is to-day working hard to derive the maximum benefit from United States supplies and training.” ' For the first time, Mr Truman acknowledged that more guerillas were now. fighting in Greece than when the Truman Doctrine was evolved in March, 1947. He estimated that on September 30, 1948, there were 22,000 guerillas, compared with between 17,000 and 20,000 in March, 1947. MEDIATION IN GREECE MR ATTLEE DEFINES POLICY LONDON, December 7. When Mr Attlee was asked in the House of Commons last night if he had considered a statement signed by a large number of members of the House of Commons and others calling for the initiation through the United Nations of a mediation commission for Greece, he replied that the Government did not intend to act on the suggestion. He said that the United Nations Charter expressly precluded interference in matters essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any State. The British Government could not therefore propose to the United Nations mediation between the Greek Government and the rebfels.