EVENTS IN GREECE

Evening Star, Issue 25730, 1 March 1946, Page 5

EVENTS IN GREECE

NEW CRISIS THREATENING DATE OF ELECTION IMMEDIATE' ISSUE (N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent.) (Rec. 10 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 28. Reports from Greece indicate that a new crisis is threatening. The Right : Wing, whose terrorist activities are stated to be increasing daily, is calling for the dismissal of the Sophoulis Government and its replacement by a "caretaker" Government of officials. The Archbishop Regent is reported to be wavering. The immediate issue is the date of the elections. The Centre and Left are unanimous for postponement. Only the Monarchists still insist on Match 31. Reuter states that the Prime Minister, M. Sophoulis, said he was doubtful whether the forthcoming elections would be entirely free and genuine.' There had been no improvement in the creation of the conditions of law and order required for an entirely free expression of the people's will. This statement has increased doubts in Athens whether the flections *will be held as arranged. The Independent Liberal newspaper, ' Infteria,' reported lhat Mr Bevin told Archbishop. Damaskinos that he could not suggest any change in the present Greek .system of proportional representation. The 4 archbishop, in putting forward the view of the Right Wing parties, had suggested such a change in favour of the majority system, on the grounds that proportional representation would not give Greece a sufficiently' stable Government. The American and French teams to observe the elections will begin their task on March 10. In the three weeks preceding polling day they will inspect electoral registers, consult, in charge of registers, receive complaints from the public, and report any irregularities to. the- Greek Government. If polling day is postponed the Allied Governments would have to consider whether the observers could continue with their task. A total of 1,181 observers, grouped into 240 teams and nided by 270 interpreters, will observe the elections.