FIGHTING ENDS

Waikato Times, Volume 196, Issue 22549, 6 January 1945, Page 5

FIGHTING ENDS

QUIET IN ATHENS WITHDRAWAL OF REBELS ONLY LITTLE SNIPING (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Jan. 6, 1 pan.) LONDON, Jan. 5. All organised fighting in Athens and Piraeus has suddenly ceased. British patrols ranging both areas today met no opposition apart from occasional sniping. The E.L.A.S. forces have apparently withdrawn. It is not known whether their supporters have withdrawn also or whether they have merely resumed their citizen roles. There was nothing conciliatory about the attitude of General Plastiras, says the Times’ Athens correspondent reporting an interview with the Prime Minister. He added that General Plastiras said he believed it would be five days before the city areas of Athens were cleared. He reiterated the statement that the situation could be righted only by force and denied blankly any possibility of a negotiated truce. He was not keeping any portfolios for the Leftists and did not intend to bring into the Cabinet an additional Minister of any kind. Prime Minister’s Hopes General Plastiras not only envisaged the clearing of Athens by force but the remainder of Greece as well. He thought it would be possible to achieve this without great difficulty, mainly with the use of the National Guard. He expressed the opinion that the bulk of the Greeks were participating in the struggle only because they were forced to do so by terrorism. He thought that when his forces advanced into the country districts the rebels “would desert the E.L.A.S and join the Government troops.” The correspondent adds that there are no moves to end hostilities. The E.L.A.S. is still regarded as “the enemy,” and although militarily this i£ understandable it has been expected the new Government would adopt a different attitude. The Times adds that the E.L.A.S. is certainly not helping the situation. Stories of atrocities continue to circulate. “It is said the Greeks are not people to bear malice but there is surely such a wealth of bitterness and hatred being stored up as will Itake years to wash away,” the paper J adds.