MODERATE LEFT WING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25736, 6 January 1945, Page 5

MODERATE LEFT WING

NO PARTY AFFILIATIONS NO E.A.M. REPRESENTATIVES (Rec. 10.50 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 5. The general impression in official circles ill London on the composition of the new Greek Cabinet is that it is based on the personal discretion of Archbishop Damaskinos and General Flastiras, rather than on any strong party affiliations, says Reuter’s diplomatic correspondent. The political complexion of the Cabinet may fairly be described as moderate Left Wing, neither extremist fadtor—Communist or Monarchist—being included. One noteworthy fact is that all the members of the new Administration are Republicans, which should at least go far to remove the E.A.M. and E.L.A.S. suspicions of Monarchist intrigues. The Times Athens correspondent says: “The selection of General Plastiras to head the new Government will be received with mixed feelings. A man with his record is obviously not an ideal choice, because even though a dictator, unlike a leopard, may change his spots, the present situation was essentially brought about by fear of some kind of dictatorship.” General Plastiras. in an interview with the British United Press correspondent in Athens, said he would never accept E.A.M. representatives into his Cabinet until after a general election. He added that there could be no compromise with the E.L.A.S. after the atrocities they had committed. Jt , .. General Plastiras stated that the aims of his Government were, first, to restore the meaning of the State by imposing legal order; secondly to recall all public servants to a full sense of duty; thirdly, to punish all who had collaborated in crimes during the German occupation; fourthly, to meet the urgent needs of the population for food, shelter, and communications; fifthly, to stabilise the currency and come to the help of the working classes. General Plastiras added that he hoped they would have the help of Greece's great Allies in the accomplishment of these tasks. The Athens correspondent of the Associated Press says the Government issued a statement last night that the E.L.A.S. must accept General Scobie’s terms before negotiations can be begun. M. Sofianopoulos issued a statement that it was essential that General Scobie’s terms to E.L.A.S. should be accepted, which would be the best proof and token of E.L.A.S. intentions towards coming to an understanding. He added that the Government intended to discover and severely punish the ringleaders of the present fighting, but there would be no mass punishment. The intention was to restore general confidence. .. M. Papandreou. M. Sofoulis, and M. Kafandaris announced their support for the Reuter’s Athens correspondent after a tour of the city stated that the .fighting left great material damage in its wake. Houses wrecked by shells or blown up by dynamite spilled their rubble into evil-smelling streets, five weeks’ garbage lies rotting in open streets, and streams of water from burst mains bubble downhill across broken streets and tank-crushed pavements. A gaping hole outside the Telephone Exchange indicates where a British tank hit a German mine. Shell holes around doors and windows show where snipers’ nests were wiped out. Civilians hunt for wood and fuel in ruined houses and queue up patiently in rain for hot food supplied by British troops. The strength of the newly-recruited National Guard, which is dressed in civilian clothes, but issued with bandoliers of ammunition, have been raised to 30 battalions, each consisting of 500 men and 30 officers. British forces have cleared Omoma square in Athens, which the E.L.A.S. has held since the beginning of the fighting, says Reuter’s correspondent. Neighbouring areas have also been cleared.