GREEK ELECTIONS

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 December 1945, Page 7

GREEK ELECTIONS

DATE IN DISPUTE LONDON, December 6. “The Greek Foreign Minister (Mr Sofianopoulos), after consultation with the Vice-Premier (Mr Cafandaris), cabled the three principal Allied Governments asking that the election date should be postponed until after March 31, on the grounds that the pre-requisite conditions will not be obtained by then,” says the Athens correspondent of the Associated Press. “It is understood that this action was taken without the knowledge of the Prime Minister (Mr Sofoulis), who originally specified March 31 as the election date. The step may lead to serious disagreement within the Cabinet. “Mr Sofoulis, asked to comment on the report, said: ‘I said that the elections will be held on March 1, and they will be held. No such cablegram was sent by the Government.” ARMY CHANGES. (Rec. 11:20 a.m.) LONDON, December 6. It is announced in Athens that General Ventiris has been relieved of his duties as Deputy-Chief of the General Staff. Other staff changes are pending. General Ventiris was regarded by Left Wing parties as being obstructive to their policy of keeping the Army from politics. CURRENCY AND LOAN. (Rec. 11.20 a.m.) LONDON, December 6. The Greek Government plans to stabilise the drachma to join in Stock Exchange transactions, says the Associated Press correspondent at Athens. Greece has asked Britain for a loan of 6,000,000 sovereigns or its equivalent in foreign exchange and also for the unfreezing of 7,000,000 gold sovereigns, part of the Greek Treasury reserve, at present held by Britain. The- Government hopes to, use this buying power to secure stabilisation and then enforce a policy of fixed prices.