THREAT TO GREECE

Grey River Argus, 13 September 1946, Page 5

THREAT TO GREECE

BY YUGOSLAV ARMY With Soviet Support Large Force on Invasion Route (Rec. 8.5). NEW YORK, Sept. 12. A secret report, received in Istanbul, from Yugoslavia, states that intensive military preparations and a heavy concentration of Yugoslav troops are proceeding in the Vardar Valley, which is the traditional invasion route to Salonika, says the New York Times Istanbul correspondent. Four new Russian-equipped and trained Yugoslav divisions are reported to have arrived in the Vardar Valley early in August. In addition to these there was- an unusually large number of troops already there. The reinforcements have been identified at Strumitza, Monastir, and Skoplje, where there is an armoured division also stationed. The New York Times Rome correspondent reports that he has reliably been informed that Albania, in .the last few weeks, has steadily been concentrating large forces, including two Russian infantry regiments, on the Greek border. The Albanian troops are being advised by Russians, and they are being strengthened with Russian material, including fighter planes, and a small number of medium tanks, also mortars and machine-guns. Wider Rift in U.N.O. SOVIET CHARGES AGAINST BRITISH DRAW A HOT REPLY (Rec. 5.5). NEW YORK, Sept. 11. The motion to dismiss the Ukrainian charges against Greece was opposed by M. Gromyko (Soviet delegate) at the U.N.O. Security Council. He asserted: ‘‘lt would undermine the authority of the Council if it closed its eyes to the aggressive, irresponsible policy of the Greek. Government, which is supported by British troops”. He said Russia believed that Greekswere capable of organising their own Government without foreign tutelage. The principle of national sovereignty was the cornerstone of the United Nations. It was an insult to Greeks' to send the “stabilising” British and American forces armed with guns and aeroplanes. He asked: How much shooting had there to be on the Greek-Albanian border before the Security Council perceived .the danger to peace? Sir A. Cadogan (Britain), after re-, plying to individual charges that were made by Russia and the Ukraine, said that they added up to the insinuation that Britain was trampling on Greek freedom and democracy; was’ persecuting minorities, and was inciting Greece to attack her neighbours. This was being accompanied by slanders against the British Army, which he hotly resented. He asked: What would Russia and the Ukraine delegates say if he charged the Red Army with punitive expeditions, with burning and pillaging; with murder and torture, and with supporting by their presence, in non-Russian territory, of the imposition of regimes that are repugnant to the local inhabitants? The Council adjourned until Friday.’ LONDON. September 11. The Greek King, in a proclamation to hia people issued in London, says: “I waited abroad in full confidence of your verdict. The nation has' proclaimed its wish for internal peace, so that all may devote all their efforts to the task of economic reconstruction. “'lnternational complications have drawn Greece into the vortex of great conflicts,; which make the task of national unity not simply a question of mere economic and political wellbeing, but self-preservation itself. Greece’s tranquility, indeed the world’s peace depends on this 1 ”. According to British military circles. 21 have been killed, 12 wounded and 24 vehicles blown up since August 9 through striking mines in roads in the vicinity of Larissa. Those killed included a Briton. The mines were mostly of the German anti-personnel and anti-vehicle type. They are reported to have been laid by Left Wing bandists. The main road between Athens and Salonika is closed as the result of the Left Wing brigands’ mining operations, says the Daily Telegraph’s correspondent. The area selected covers the main and side roads from Larissa to Reasson, an area not -far from one of the principal Communist zones. The cutting of communications between Larissa and Salonika would isolate the troops in northern Greece, making their position more precarious in the event of a hostile incursion across the northern frontier. At Athens, the Jugoslav Legation handed the Greek Acting Foreign Minister, M. Stefanoooulos, a note protesting against violation of JugoS'lav territory by a Greek aircraft, which force-landed in Jugoslavia last week. M. Stefanopouilos confirmed that Greece had simultaneously sent a note to Jugoslavia demanding restitution of the plane. LONDON, September 11. The Army aims' at the recruiting of 100,000 by the end of next March, said the Under-Secretary for War, v Lord Nathan, at the inaugural London campaign meeting. He added that the results of the campaign’s first foui 1 months had not been as good as he had hoped. TEHERAN, September 11. Prince Firouz announced that he discovered a “terrible plot” aiming at the dismemberment of Persia while on a visit to Isfahanzf. He added that he ordered the arrest of several score of plotteis.