DENIAL OF PRESSURE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 306, 24 November 1945, Page 6

DENIAL OF PRESSURE

BRITISH IN GREECE. (Rec. 2.5 p.m.) ATHENS, Nov. 23. The British Under-Seeretary for Foreign Affairs (Mr Hector McNeil)' today denied that Britain had exerted, in any way, pressure on the Greek Government. Britain, he said, was approached and asked if she would agree to back the Government which, as part of the reconstruction programme, would postpone the plebiscite for three years. Britain agreed, on the condition that the elections should be held not later than March, 1946, which the Sofoulis Government accepted. >' f Mr McNeil added that Britain kept America and France informed of the negotiations, but Russia was not informed for the very good reason that she refused to participate in the supervision of the elections. He added that Archbishop Damaskinos and Mr Bevin this exchanged messages in which the Regent expressed his affection for and trust in Mr Bevin and Britain’s Government. There was every reason to believe that the Regent might reconsider his resignation. Mr McNeil categorically denied a report that he, at any stage, threatened to leave Athens unless the Regent withdrew his resignation. “Throughout my visit, I have been on the most cordial terms with His Beatitude,” he said. Britain made it clear she wanted the Greek prison population reduced and was anxious that the interned Greeks in the Middle East should be repatriated, but transport difficulties were holding up their movement.; Mr McNeil will leave for London tonight by air.

See “Greek Elections” —Page 5.