,I

I

REPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON THE BALKANS

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

OFFICIAL RECORDS : THIRD SESSION

SUPPLEMENT No. 8 CAj574)

LAKE SUCCESS, NEW YORK, 1948

( 46 p.) ~'r

NOTE All United Nations documents are designated by symbols, i.e., capital letters com­ bined with figures. Mention of such a symbol indicates a reference to a United Nations document.

i'-;

A/574* June 1948

., .~

*This document has been rt;produced from the original text, which was issued in Geneva under the symbol A/AC.16/300.

i~' i: ! UNITED NATIONS

; corn­ rations REPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON THE BALKANS

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

OFFICIAL RECORDS: THfRD SESSION

SUPPLEME~~T No. 8 (A/574)

~eneva

Lake Success New York 1948 I '., ·t.-'~ "

The United Nations Special Committee on Chapter IV (paragraphs 185 to 190) the BalkaIls was sets created by General Assembly forth the conclusions which have been reached resolution 109 (Il) of 21 October 1947. Be­ by the Special Committee; tween 21 November 1947, when the Special Chapter Committee held its first meeting in Paris, and TT (paragraphs 191 to 194) presents the 16 June 1948, the Special Committee held Special Committee's recommendations. eighty-eight meetings. ! Chapters I, Il and IV were adopted unani­ ~i The present report covers the period from mously. Chapter III was adopted by eight votes 21 October 1947 to 16 June 1948. in favour with the delegation of Australia abstaining: The first recommendation in chap­ The report consists of five chapters. ter V was adopted by eight votes in favour, with the delegation Chapter I (paragraphs 1 to 23) is concerned of France abstaining (paragraph 191); the second with the creation and organization of the Special by six votes in favour, with Committee on the Balkans; the delegations of Australia, France and the United Kingdom abstaining (paragraph 192); Chapter 11 (paragraphs 24 to 100) deals with the third and fourth recommendations (para­ the c.mciliatory role of the Spedal Committee. graphs 193 to 194) were adopted unanimously. The efforts to secure the co-operation of Albania, Bulgaria, Greece and Yugoslavia and to * * * assist the four Governments in the implementa- In view of the period intervening between the tion of the General Assembly's recommenda- tions; time of the signing of this report and the meet­ ing of the General Assembly in September 1948, Chapter III (paragraphs 101 to 184) con- the Special Committee tains plans to submit a supple­ two parts: the first deals with support for mentary report to cover the developments between Greek guerrilla forces in Albani8, Bulgaria· June and September 1948. and Yugoslavia; the second with the situation on the northern frontiers of 1 For rtservation by delegation of Australia, see ar.nex .~ Greece; to this report (A/AC.16/SR.93).

ii j • •• ",~r>,,-,,", ...... ~i-'·:·' J,. ~_''', ~.. id ~

1I i to 190) sets TABLE OF CONTENTS ~ been reached INTRODUCTION ...... ii

I 194) presents endations. Chapter Paragraphs Page I. CREATION AND ORC"ANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL Ldopted unani- by eight votes COMMITTEE.. ON THE BALKANS of Australia 1- 7 1 ation in chap­ A. The Greek question before the United Nations ,,. in favour, with B. Organization of the United Nations Special Committee on the 19 (paragraph Balkans . 1 favour, with 8- 23 2 ance and the 'agraph 192); H. CONC~LIATORY ROLE OF THE UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL COMMITTEE lations (para- ON THE BALKANS unanimously. A. Efforts of the Special Committee to obtain the co-operation of the four Governments concerned . 24 4 g between the 1. Co-operation of Greece . 25- 27 4 md the meet­ Jtember 1948, 2. Lack of co-operation by Albania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia Jmit a supple­ (a) Position at the General Assembly . 28- 31 4 lents between (b) Replies to the Secretary-General's letter of 22 October 1947 and response, through the Secretary-General, to the alia, see ar,nex .1, Special Committee's resolution of 27 November 1947 .. 32- 39 5 (c) The Special Committee's efforts to obtain co-operation regarding specific incidents . 40- 52 6 (d) Letters from the Special Committee to Greece, Albania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia dated 23 February 1948 and the replies thereto . 53- 56 8 Reply of the Greek Government . 57 8 Reply of the Albanian Government. . 58- 59 8 Reply of the Bulgarian Government . 60 9 Reply ·of the Yugoslav Government . 61- 62 9

B. Efforts of the Special Committee to assist the four Governments concerned in the implementation of the General Assembly's recommendations : . 63- 68 9 1. Problem of normal diplomatic and good neighbourly relations 69- 81 10 2. Problem of frontier conventions . 82- 86 12 3. Problem of refugee.; . 87- 97 13 4. Problem of minorities : . 98- 99 14

HI. OBSERVATION BY THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE EXTENT OF COM­ PLIANCE WITH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION Of 21 OCTOBER 1947

A. Support of the Greek guerrilla movement in Albania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia 1. Proclamation of the Markos "Government" . 101-104 14 2. Committees to aid the "Greek Democratic People" . 105 15 (a) Bulgaria . 106-109 15 (b) Yugoslavia . 110-111 17 (c) Albania . 112-113 17 3. Radio broadcasts . 114-116 18 4. Removal and retention of Greek children . 117-123 18 "~''&II'''.\ ,,~~.:- -; ,' ' ''7 ....-.-, .. 1.'-' ~ ',\ \

1''' !l .~ , \~ 1. Greek charges against Albania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia... 124 20 ., 2. Charges by Albania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia ag31nst Greece 125-128 20 3. Observation by the Special Committee of the situation on the northern frontiers of Greece . 129-132 21

(a) The Albanian-Greek frontier

1 (i) General frontier situation...... 133-136 21 ), 1! (")11, Crossing of the frontier by Greek guerrillas from Greece to Albania and from Albania to Greece.... 137 22 (iii) Firing from Albanian territory into Greece ...... 138 22 (iv) Medical assistance to wounded Greek guerrillas in Albania and their return to guerrilla units in Greece 139 23 (v) Logistical support to Greek guerrillas ...... 140-143 23

(b) The Greek-Yugoslav L .Jntier (i) General frontier situation...... 144-149 23 (ii) Crossing of the frontier by Greek guerrillas frow Greece to Yugoslavia and from Yugoslavia to Greece 150-151 24 (ill) Firing from Yugoslav territory into Greece 152-154 24 (iv) Medical assistance to wounded Greek guerrillas in Yugoslavia and their return to guerrilla units in Greece 155-156 24 (v) Logistical support to Greek guerrillas " 157-160 24

(c) The Bulgarian-Greek frontier (i) General frontier situation.. "" . 161-164 25 (ii) Frontier incidents not involving Greek guerrilla activity . 165-170 25 (ill) Frontier incidents connected with Greek guerrilla activity . 171-177 26 (iv) Reception and hospitalization of Greek guerrillas in Bulgaria , , '" ., . 178 27 (v) Return of Greek guerrillas to Greece after stay or hospitalization in Bulgaria . 179 27 (vi) Logistical support to Greek guerrillas . 180-184 27

IV. CONCLUSIONS •••..•.••.•••••.••••••••••..••••...•••••.••••• 185-190 27

V. RECOMlkENDATIONS . 191-194 28

ANNEXES

1. Composition of the United Nations Special Committee on the Balkans 29 2. Report on the removal of Greek children to Albania, Bulgaria, Yugo­ slavia and other northern countries, adopted by the Special Committee on 21 May 1948 . 29 3. Report on refugees, adopted by the Special Committee on 27 March 1948 . 33 4. Reservation of the Australian delegation to Chapter IH of the report 35 5. Map of Northern Greece: Observ::ttion Group Zones ,. 36

iv s Page CHAPTER I CREATION AND ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON THE BALKANS 20 Note. For index of all Special Committee documents refer to A/AC.16/236 and adder.c.a 20 A. The Greek qLlestion before the United following resolution, similar in many respects Nations to the proposals of the Security Council's Com­ 21 ~ mission of Investigation:· 1. The problem of Greece came before the .Security Council for the third time during the 5. "Resolution 109 (II) of the General year 1946, when on 3 December the Greek Assembly:" 21 Government requested the Secretary-General, " 1. Whereas the peoples of the United Nations under Articles 34 and 35 (paragraph 1) of the have ~xpressed in the Charter of the United 22 Charter, to give early consideration to a situa­ Nations their determination to practise tolerance tion which was leading to friction between and to live together in peace with one another 22 Greece and her northern neighbours. The Greek as good neighbours and to unite their strength Government charged that the Greek guerrilla to maintain international peace and security; 23 movement was receiving substantial support and to that end the Members of the United from Albania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia. The Nations have obligated themselves to carry out 23 Security Council discussed the complaint and the purposes and principles of the Charter, heard additional charges and counter-charges by "2. The General Assembly of the United the Albanian, Bulgarian, Greek and Yugoslav Nations, 23 Governments, relating to disturbed conditions in northern Greece along the frontier between "Having considered the record of the Security Greece on the one hand and Albania, Bulgaria Council proceedings in connexion with the com­ and Yugoslavia on the other. On 19 December plaint of the Greek Government of 3 December 24 1946, the Security Council, acting under Article 1946, including the report submitted by the 24 34 of the Charter, established a Commission of Commission of Investigation established by the Investigation to ascertain the causes and nature Security Council resolution of 19 December of the border violations and disturbances. The 1946, and information supplied by the Sub. Commission of Investigation, composed of repre­ sidiary Group of the Commission of Investiga­ 24 sentatives of the eleven members of the Security tion subsequent to the report of the Commis­ 24 Council, spent some four months between Janu­ sion; ary and May 1947 hearing statements and wit­ nesses, making field investigations in Albania, "3. Taking account of the report of the Bulgaria, Greece and Yugoslavia, surveying the Commission of Investigation which found by a 25 evidence and preparing its report, which was majority vote that Albania, Bulgaria and Yugo­ signed in Geneva on 23 May 1947.' slavia had given assistance and support to the guerrillas fighting against the Greek Govern­ 25 2. While the Commission was engaged in ment, drafting its report, and during the deliberations "4. Calls upon Albania, Bulgaria and Yugo­ of the Security Council in the summer of 1947, 26 slavia to do nothing which could furnish aid a Subsidiary Group continued investigations of and assistance to the said guerrillas; incidents along the northern Greek frontiers: 27 "5. Calls upon Albania, Bulgaria and Yugo­ 3. The Security Council was unable to reach slavia on the one hand and Greece on the other any decision with respect to the problem, and to co-operate in the settlement of their disputes 27 on 15 September 1947 it finally decided to take by peaceful means, and to that end recom­ the question off the agenda of the Security mends: 27 Council and to instruct the Secretary-General to place all the records and documents at the "(1) That they establish normal diplomatic 27 disposal of the General Assembly." and good neighbourly relations among them­ selves as soon as possible; 28 4. The General Assembly, on 23. September "(2) That they establish frontier conventions 1947, decided to discuss the question of "Threats providing for effective machinery for the regu­ to the political independence and territorial lation and control of their common frontiers and integrity of Greece"" The deliberations with for the pacific settlement of frontier incidents respect to this problem took place in the First and disputes; 29 Committee (Political and Security) . On 21 Octo­ ber 1947, by forty votes to six, with eleven " (3) That they co-operate in the settlement abstentions, the General Assembly adopted the of the problems arising out of the presence of refugees in the four States concerned through 29 • 1 S/360. F.or a conv~nient summary of the proceedings voluntary repatriation wherever possible and m the Secunty CouncIl, see report of the Security Coun­ cil to the General Assembly covering the period from that they take effective measures to prevent the refuge~ 33 16 July 1946 to 15 July 1947, A/366, pages 24 to 32. participation of such in political or mili­ • See especially 8/388, 8/423, S/441, 8/534. tary activity; 35 11 Security Council Official Records, 202nd meetbg and 8/555. • 8/360, pages 248 to 251. 36 • A/PV.91, page 61. "A/409. ••IIiIIII~ iI!IiIII9"' i!i!.. I!!!ifLi!I!'M!!ii'.ii!!',._.1i'_Jiii<...."",_1!!!i..4il1'j&!i!!.. !P!i~":!Ill."">9,__lilIint.....",... 1• tt@,i, 2 •.

[°,:",1 "(4) That they study the practicability of exercise its functions withi,n their territories, of I':~....'.;. concluding agreements for the voluntary trans­ full freedom of movement and all necessary,'!:, fer of minorities; facilities for the performance of its functions." I' "6. Establishes a Special Committee: 6. It should be noted in connexion with para­ graph 9 (1) of the General Assembly resolu­ "(1) To observe the compliance by the four tion that the representatives of Poland and the Governments concerned with the foregoing Union of Soviet Socialist Republics had already recommendations; announced on 11 October 1947 that neither of "(2) To be available to assist the four Gov­ their Governments would t:lke part in the work ernments concerned in the implementation of of the Special Committee.' such recommendations; 7. The Fifth Committee (Administrative and "7. Recommends that the four Governments Budgetary) of the Generai Assembly provided cnncerned co-operate with the Special Commit­ $611,440 for the expenses of the Special Com­ tee in enabling it to carry out these obligations; mittee." "8. Authorizes the Special Committee, if in B. Organization of the United Nations its opinion further consideration of the subject Special Committee on the Balkans matter of this resolution by the General Assem­ bly prior to its next regular session is necessary 8. The Special Committee thus constituted for the maintenance of international peace and held its first formal meeting in Paris on 21 security, to recommend to the Members of the November 1947: The next few meetings, which United Nations that a special session of the dealt with organization and procedure, were General Assembly be convoked as a matter of held in Athens between 25 and 29 November urgency; 1947. On 1 December 1947, the Special Com­ mittee established its principal headquarters at "9. Decides that the Special Committee: Salonika, in accordance with paragraph 9 (2) "(1) Shall consist of representatives of Aus­ of the resolution of the General Assembly, and tralia, Brazil, China, France, Mexico, the met there continuously until June 1948. In April Netherlands, Pakistan, the United ¥.Jngdom and 1948, it considered whether it might carry on the United States of .tUnerica, seats being held its work, and particularly its task of conciliation, opcn for Poland and the Union of Soviet more effectively elsewhere than at Salonika." Socialist Republics; On 25 May 1948, the Special Committee de­ cided to sit temporarily in Geneva from 10 June "(2) Shall have its principal headquarters in 1948 to discuss and adopt its report.n On Salonika and with the co-operation of the four 14 June 1948, it was decided that the Special Governments concerned shall perform its func­ Committee, while maintaining its principal head. tions in such places and in the territories of the quarters in Salonika and assembling there from four States concerned as it may deem appro­ time to time, would hold sittings in Athens from priate ; the beginning of July 1948 until otherwise 12 "(3) Shall render a report to the next regular decided. session of the General Assembly and to any 9. During the meetings in Athens in Novem­ prior special session which might be called to ber 1947, the Special Committee adopted its consider the subject matter of this resolution, rules of procedure, which included the procedure and shall render such interim reports as it may for the election of its Chairm,m, and the name deem appropriate to the Secretary-General for "United Nations Special Committee on the transmission to the Members of the Organiza­ Balkans" (UNSCOB), hereinafter referred to as tion; in any reports to the General Assembly the the Special Committee. It also approved the Special Committee may make such recom­ principle of the establishment of observation mendations to the General Assembly as it deems groups.13 fit; 10. On 25 November 1947, the Special Com­ "(4) Shall determine its own procedure, and mittee adopted a resolution requesting the Sec­ may establish such sub-committees as it deems retary-General of the United Nations to inform necessary; the Governments of Poland and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics of the hope of the "(5) Shall commence its work within thirty Committee "that the Governments of those days after the final decision of the General countries would see fit to participate in the work Assembly on this resolution, and shall remain in of the Committee by appointing representatives existence pending a new decision of the General in the near future" to fill the seats held open for , Assembly. them in accordance with paragraph 9 (1) of the "10. The General Assembly General Assembly resolution." No response was ever received to this communication. "Requests the Secretary-General to assign to the Special Committee sta.iIf adequate to enable 1 A/AC.i/SR.72, pages 3 to 4. 8 A/415. it to perform its duties, and to enter 41to a • A/AC.!6/SR.1. standing arrangement with each of the four 10 A/AC.l6/232/Rev.1. Governments concerned to assure the Special n A/AC.16/260. 12 AIAC.16/290. Committee, so far as it may find it necessary to 1. A/AC.16/SR.3. , ' ~ ::!'/" :.~ - I '~,,- ,~lt','; .. . i: I ..

leir territories, of 11. On 26 November 1947, the Special Com- owing to insufficient personnel. Members of the nd all necessary . mittee unanimously decided, ID principle, to Special Committee have themselves from time to If its functions." establish observation groups:' The formal reso­ time visited the frontier and the groups in the lution of the Special Committee stated that, in field in order to obtain first hand information of lexion with para­ conditions on the spot. Assembly resolu- , order to carry out efficiently the duty imposed : Poland and the on it by paragraph 6 (1) of the resolution of Gen~ral 15. The international character of the ob­ blics had already the Assembly, namely, to observe the compliance of the four Governments concerned servation groups was ensured by the prc.ision 7 that neither of of observers by the delegations of Brazil, China, part in the work with the recommendations of the General Assembly, the Special Committee should main­ France, Mexico, Netherlands, United Kingdom tain observation groups near and on both sid~s of and the United States of America, and by the iministrative and the frontiers of Albania, Bulgaria and Yugo­ attachment of one member of the United isembly provided slavia with Greece.'• These observation groups Nations Secretariat as secretary to each group. he Special Com- were to be established under paragraph 9 (4) 16. The groups were originally instructed "to of the resolution of the General Assembly, and observe and to report continuously to the Com­ were to be "under' the authority of the Com­ mittee to what extent good neighbourly rela­ Inited Nations mittee and composed of personnel supplied by ne Balkans tions" existed on the frontiers between Greece the nations represented on the Committee". and her northern neighbours." The instructions, thus constituted 12. The Secretary-General of the United originally based on paragraph 5 (1) of the in Paris on 21 Nations was therefore requested to "obtain the Special Committee's terms of reference, were meetings, which consent of the four Governments mentioned to under constant review. On 26 April 1948, in procedure, were the establishment of such observation groups on the light of accumulated experience, it v!as cl 29 November their respective territories" in accordance with decided to base the observers' instructions on le Special Com­ paragraph 10 of the General Assembly resolu­ paragraph 4 as well as on paragraph 5 of the headquarters at tion." Only the Greek Government co-operated Special Committee's terms of reference and the laragraph 9 (2) with the Special Committee and provided the groups were instructed to make use of all avail­ I Assembly, and necessary facilities," and, in consequence, the able sources of information which they deemed .e 1948. In April observation groups were able to operate within useful, whether direct observation, inquiry or might carry on Greece only, except on one occasion when investigation, in their work.'" { of conciliation, Observation Group 6 was allowed to enter n at Salonika." maint~nance Bulgarian territory.17 17. The establishment and of Committee de­ observation groups raised such serious financial la from 10 June 13. The Special Committee drew up a "Table questions that it was debated at le:J.gth during ts report." On of Organization and Equipment for Observa­ the early meetings in Salonika. The Special that the Special tion Groups", based upon a plail providing for Committee on 5 D,~ember 1947 requested the sprincipal head­ the establishment of six observation groups in Secretary-General of the United Nations to pro· )ling there from the field and one in reserve, each composed of vide funds considered indispensable to the proper in Athens from four observers and auxiliary personnel.'S The execution of its work, indicating that in order until otherwise implementation of this plan had later to be to safeguard the international character of the modified in accordance with the financial re­ observation groups, operating costs should be sources and availability of personnel and equip­ borne by the United Nati.ons. The Secretary­ hens in Novem­ ment.lO tee adopted its General replied, on 10 December 1947, that the :d the procedure 14. Before the groups were organized, a group appropriation requested by the Special Com­ , and the name of military experts from the delegations was sent mittee greatly exceeded the appropriation ap­ lmittee on the to the Delvinakion region in Epirus on 9 Decem­ proved by the General Assembly, and stated that er referred to as ber 1947 as part of a reconnaissance of the it would be difficult to guarantee appropriations ) approved the Greek frontier to prepare for the establishment from the Working Capital Fund of the United of observation of the observation groups:o From 29 December Nations in order to cover such high costs:" In 1947 to 2 January 1948, military experts visited reply to a renewed request, the Secretary.Gen­ eral, on 30 December 1947, indicated that some le Special Cam­ the Ioannina-Konitsa area during the battle Gf Konitsa.21 The despatch of Observation Group 1 moderate adjustment might be possible, but only lesting the Sec­ for incidentd expenses:' ltions to inform to the Epirus area was directed by the Special Committee on 5 January 1948.22 Six zones were i the Union of 18. After these communications the Special le hope of the defined," and by the end of February Groups 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 were in their zones. The Com­ Committee decided, on 16 January 1948, "to nents of those accept offers of equipment and maintenance late in the work mittee had been unable to establish Group 5 and the reserve group by the end of May 1948, thereof which may be made by one or more of representatives the Members of the United Nations as an aid, :s held open for 14 A/AC.16/SRA. the reimbursement of which the Special Com­ ph 9 (l) of the 10 A/AC.16/5. mittee will recommend to the next session of the o response was ,. A/AC.16/12. General Assembly, in the event of the Secretary­ 17 See paragraphs 168 to 172. .on. " A/AC.16/7/Rev.1. General's not having done so before".'" ,. For latest table of organization and equipm~nt, see A/AC.16/SC.l/29, approved by the Special Committee ., A/AC.16/62. . on 17 May 1948. •• A/AC.16/232 and A/AC.16/133/Rev.3. '0 A/AC.16/26. :6 A/AC.16/18 and A/AC.16/19. 21 A/AC.16/71. '7 A/AC.16/SR.16; A/AC.16/22; A/AC.16/24; A/­ =A/AC.16/61 and A/AC.16/62. AC.16/29. .. A/AC.lo/SC.l/8. . '" A/AC.16/79 and AjAC.16/SR.32. ...._ ..1jIiIi;I1l'10!Ii1l1i1ll_1!II!!III1I!!IiII----· M' M.M! I!IIiIlii_....-;4.~------_ill!li_·!!!iI·JIi!f--' i1_IIIIIJ!I.fM'Z"~'''''l··· , 1- £1 :',WAIi1ll.. 'l ."~., . , 19. The Secretary-General subsequently ap­ mittee established three E"1b-committees proved~ in principle~ :'0 the a request for a supple­ first sub-committee was to be concerned 21 Octo mentary budget of $164~000~ with independ( and allotted funds the observation groups; the second with political for the period from 13 February Greece", to 31 May problems; the third with refugees and minori­ 1948. The allotments were to cover additional ties. 31 shown a I expenditures in connexion with the establish­ 22. On 24 February 1948, th~ 29. Th ment of observation groups~ su.-:h as local when Special trans­ Committee had completed its that the portation~ United Nations staff and exaimination of locally the problem of political refugees, mittee recruited interpreters~ rental and maintenance it decided that co of there should be only two slavia. premises for each group and sub-committees.'" Sub­ He miscellaneous Committee 1 was henceforth establish expenses. The allotments~ however, to deal with did not cover observation groups and budgetary violation such basic and major expenses as the matters; Sub· salaries, Committee 2 was to deal that his transport and equipment of the groups," with political and administrative problems and the questions of internatio 20. The complete inadequacy of the budget political refugees and minorities." body."" provided by the General Assembly for the Special i3. On 27 May 1948, the Special Committee 30. An Committee proved a serious handicap through­ decided to establish an ad hoc Committee to sit the Unite out its work. Apart from the unforeseen expendi­ in Salonika during its absence in Geneva. This tory repl) ture incurred by the establishment of observa­ ad hoc Committee was to carry on the normal Committe tion groups, the original budget provided salaries routine work connected with reports from the they WOll and allo'\vances for the Secretariat for six monthll observation groups, to deal with any emergency rules only, a wholly inadequate of t allotment for travel concerning the groups, pending a decision problem. and transportation of of the Special Committee and the Special Committee, and to draw the Albanian Secretariat, and no atten­ funds for medical services. tion of the Special Committee to all mitted 21. On 10 December questions to 1947, the Special Com- within its competence." take part 31. A Albania < CHAPTER 11 stage of tl CONCILIATORY ROLE OF THE UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON THE BALKANS some men amendme A. Efforts of the Special Bulgaria Committee to 26. A Greek liaison representative was avail­ declaratio obtain the co-operation able continuously of the four from the commencement of ingness to Governments concerned the Special Committee's work. Moreover, in Committe response to its resolution of 27 November 24. In order to carry out its 1947" Bulgaria i conciliatory role which established the principle of observation of assisting Albania, ments to L. Bulgaria and Yugoslavia on groups and asked for the one hand the co-openl.ion of the and Greece on the other to im­ four Governments concerned, (b) Replz plement the recommendations th.:: Greek Gov­ of the General ernment declared on 1 December 220. Assembly, which 1947" that it were designed to enable those was ready to co-operate with Secre, countries to co-operate the Special Com­ in the settlement of their mittee in the tee's 1 disputes establishment of these groups on by peaceful means, the Special Com­ Greek territory. mittee has sought throughout to obtain the co­ 32. On operation of the four Governments." At its first 27. In his first statement to the Special Com­ eral, in a< meeting in Salonika on 2 December 1947, the mittee on 2 December 1947;0 as well as on Assembly Special Committee considered, together with a nu;rnerous subsequent occasions, the Greek to the fou first statement of the Greek complaints, a protest liaison representative gave assurances of the ing into a addressed on 6 November 1947 by the Bulgarian desire and readiness of his Government to co­ assure the Government to the Secretary-General of the operate fully with the Special Committee. This find it nee United Nations and communicated by him to spirit of co-operation continued throughout its their terri the Special Committee for its information,'" work and the assurances were implemented in and all n fact." of its fune 33. In 1. CO-OPERATION OF GREECE t 2. LACK OF CO-OPERATION BY ALBANIA, BUL­ with rega 25. The Greek Government had made known GARIA AND YUGOSLAVIA Committe J.....•...... its willingness to co-operate fully with the (a) Position at the General Assembly obtain the ." ., f Special Committee during the discussions in the the establi. 28. During the discussion leading First Committee and in the General Assembly to the adop- ' their respe in October 1947," tion by the General Assembly of its resolution of eompliane " A/AC.16/142/Rev.i. Assembly 3< A/AC.16/267/Rev.1. •, A/AC.16/194. See allotment 8152 dated 22 March 3ll 34. On General Assembly resolution, paragraphs 5 and 7. 1948. For breakdown of expenditure after 31 May 1948, .. A/AC.16/9. see A/AC.16/W.21. Governme 31 A/AC.1/SR.69, page 2; A/AC.16/1O, .oA/AC.16/SR.12, pages 2 to 6; A/AC.16/SR.13; pages 7 to 8; letter of 2 A/ A/PV.99. pages 53 to 60. AC.16/15/Rev.2; A/AC. 16/SR.14. " A/AC.16/5. 111 General Assembly resolution, paragraph 6 (1) and -12 Paragra (2) and " A/AC.16/12. " paragraph 5 (1) to (4). <0 A/AC.16/10. A/AG.! 3:1 A/AC.16/SR.4l, page 9; A/AC.16/SR.42, page 8-9. 4; "For a further instance of the co-operative attitude .... A/AC.16/SR,44. of the A/AC.! Greek Government, see paragraph 57. SR.69, page " Paragra rt '~171~....-- ••__lIliiiliiliijrilillllllilii.niiliiljjij,l!li!iiiilli:lii!iiil.u01,~n-:c;~.~,· _., .~,.;,. ::,'y,::,,,,'~":;::.-...l..~.;;.r4.w.:.I;~:*,7t,-- 5 es: 00 the 21 October 1947 on "Threats to the political not altered its position concerning the Special led with independence and territorial integrity to Committee and that it had "no intention to political Greece", Albania, Bulgaria and Yugoshvia had participate in any arrangements regarding the minon- shown a non-ca-operative attitude. activities of the Special Committee":" : Special 29. The representative of Yugoslavia declared' 35. The Yugoslav Government, on 8 De­ ation of that the resolution creating the Special Com­ cemLer 1947, informed the Secretary-General ded that mittee constituted a 'hostile act against Yugo­ that it would not permit the Special Commit­ :s.= Sub. slavia. He added that Yugoslavia considered the tee's observation groups to enter Yugoslav terri­ al with establishment of the Special Committee as a tory. The communication stated: rs; Sub· violation of the sovereignty of Yugoslavia and "The Government of the Federal People's cal and that his Government knew how to carry out its Republic of Yugoslavia considers the resolution aons of international obligations without help from any­ on the formation of the Balkan Committee as a body." violation of the principle of unanimity of the mmittee 30. Albania and 'Bulgaria, non-members of great Powers and as an act infringing on the ~e to sit the United Nations, failed to furnish a satisfac­ sovereignty of the Balkan peoples. IvIoreover, 'a. This tory reply to the question asked by the First the Balkan Committee can represent a danger to nOlmal Committee of the General Assembly as to whether peace by creating possibilities for further provo­ om the they would agree to apply the principles and cations on the part of the Greek regime. There­ ergency rules of the Charter in the settlement of the fore, my Government will not extend any co­ sion of problem. As a result, representatives of the operation to the Committee or to its observation : atten· Albanian and Bulgarian Governments were per­ groups and will not permit their entry into Yugo­ lestions mitted to make formal statements, but not to slav territory.,,·7 o take part in the general debate: 36. The Albanian Government replied on 31. A further indication of the position of 23 December 1947 to the Secretary-General's Albania and Bulgaria was given in the final communication regarding the establishment of stagc of the debate in the First Committee when observation groups. The Albanian Government ~NS some members said that their acceptance of an repeated its view that "the establishment of the amendment intended to conciliate Albania Committee and the tasks assigned to it" were "a Bulgaria and Yugoslavia would depend on ~ violation of the United Nations Charter and of i avail· declaration by the parties to the dispute of will­ the principle of unanimity of the five great lent of ingness to co-operate with the proposed Special Powers" and "far removed from the equitable rer, in Committee. The representatives of Albania and solution of the Greek problem and of the exam­ 1947" Bulgaria indicated the inability of their Govern­ inat~on of the real cause of the situation, namely, 'vation ments to give such co-operation:' the mterference of Great Britain and the United of the States of America in the :nternal affairs of : Gov­ (b) Replies to the Secretary-GeneraL's letter of Greece". The "Albanian Government could not that it 22 October 1947 and response, through the recognize that Committee as having any rights Com- Secretary-General, to the Special Commit­ because its establishment and the powers con­ IpS on tee's resolution of 27 November 1947 ferred upon it ... are incompatible with the 32. On 22 October 1947, the Secretary-Gen­ sovereignty of the Albanian State". Conse­ eral, in accordance with paragraph 10 of the quently, it declared itself unable to "co-operate Com­ in any way" with the Special Committee or as on Assembly resolution of 21 October 1947, wrote to the four Governments with a view to enter­ with the observation groups or permit the entry Greek of either into Albanian territory, since it con­ If the ing into a standing arrangement with each to assur~ the Special Committee, so far as it might sidered the Committee "illegal and non-exis­ to co­ tent":8 , This find It necessary to exercise its functions within lut its their territories, of full freedom of movement 37. Like the Albanian Government the :ed in and all necessary facilities for the performance Bulgarian Government replied to the Sec/etary­ of its functions. General only after a long delay. The Special 33. In its resolution of 27 November 1947 Committee had, however, been forewarned of BUL- with r~gard to observation groups, the Special the position of the two Governments in the CommIttee requested the Secretary-General to communique published on the occasion of the obtain the consent of the four Governments to signing of the Treaty of Friendship, Co-opera­ v tion and Aid of 16 December 1947 between the. establish~ent of those observation groups on com~uniquc idop­ theIr respectlve territories, in order to observe the Albania and Bulgaria. In this it on of compliance of the four Governments with the was stated: Assembly recommendations:" "~he two ~elegations consider that it (the SpeCIal Comffilttee) was created in violation of i 7. .34. On 28 N?vember 1947, the Yugoslav Government rephed to the Secretary-General's the Charter of the United Nations and in viola­ to 8; letter of 22 October 1947, stating that it had tion of the State sovereignty of the Balkan nations and that therefore the two Governments : Paragraph 5 and A/AC.l/SR.70, page 3. cannot admit it to their territory."" 8-9'. A/AC.l/SR.62, pages 6 to 10; A/AC.l/SR.69, pages titude -10 A/AC.16/12. .... A/AC.l/SR.64, pages 1 to 7 flassim and A/AC.l/ .7 A/AC.16/25. S~G69, pages 1 to 8 passim. 4' A/AC.16/54. Paragraph 12. 4D A/AC.16/53/Rev.l, annex n. ",-_...•.~- .....c._'..~__--- T 6 I''!!'? 45. 38. A similar position was taken in the joint pl~nts of similar i,nciden~s on tbe Greek-Bul- 1'/ of the communique issued on the occasion of the signa~ ganan border recelVed dIrect from the Greek . 1948, h ture of the Bulgarian-Yugoslav Alliance of Government, and to ascertain what facilities not refl 27 November 1947.''' Bulgaria would be prepared to place at the dis­ toward Director 39. The reply of the Bulgarian Government posal of the Special Committee towards this changed of 13 January 1948 to the Secretary-General did end," No response was ever received to this com­ not refer to the observation groups. It reiterated munication. Balkan assertions made in the Security Council and in gard as 42. This failure to reply is noteworthy in view possible the General Assembly in 1947. It stated that of a subsequent communication from the Bul­ the Commission of Inve1:tigation concerning mention garian Government received by the Special admitte Greek Frontier Incidents hqd established only Committee on 20 April 1948 in reply to the that the causes of the "civil war" in Greece lay mittee t Secretary-General's letter of 23 February 1948," investig "in the discrimination against the national in which the Bulgarian Government stated: Nations minorities and against th,,: political oppositi':m" "The Secretariat of the United Nations is kept and that the Bulgarian Government had not Govern regularly informed of the frontier violations com­ Bulgaria given aid to Greek guerrillas either in arms or mitted by Greece but this has, unfortunately, the Uni financially or in allowing Bulgarian citizens to produced no results as yet, Frontier incidents Bulgaria participate in the ranks of the Greek Demo~ provoked by Greece are still occurring."" ad hoc t cratic Army. Nevertheless, a "verdict of guilt" with ca had been rendered and the United Nations 43. Jr, spite of the Bulgarian Government's silence in the face of its first request, the Special interpret Special Committee on the Balkans had been im­ authoriti posed. That Committee was, in the view of the Committee, on 22 April 1948, telegraphed the Bulgarian Government direct concerning an or with Bulgarian Government, "against the Charter "OD men.t and more harmful than the first Investigation alleged provocative act by Greek military forces Commission" and ran "against the principles of on 4 April 1948 near Svilengrac, .JI which the 46. I unanimity between the great Powers and against Bulgarian Government had informed the Secre­ no such the sovereignty of the Balkan countries", The tary-General in a protest which it asked the the origi Bulgarian Government also stated that, although Secretary-General to transmit to the Greek Gov­ to the S Bulgaria had presented counter-charges of fron­ ernment." Because of the serious view of the accord tier provocations against Bulgarian territory, incident taken by both Bulg<.\.ria and Greece and the Spec neither the Security Council nor the General the former's threat of counter-measures if satis­ of an i Assembly had heeded its requests to discuss faction were not obtained, the Special Com­ manner them. The reply concluded with the statement mittee stated in its telegram that its observers hoped tl that the Bulgarian Governmem was "unable to had been directed to make an examination on later me give any assistance to the Special Committee on the Greek side of the frontier, and that the nature. the Balkans or to admit it for investigations on Special Committee would be prepared to accept its territory"," facilities from the Bulgarian Government so that 47. Cl an impartial examination on both sides of the gram, da (c) The Special Committee's efforts to obtain frontier might be made. It also extended its good Governm co-operation regarding specific incidents offices to assist in the regulation of the incident alleged a 40. Despite the refusal of Albania, Bulgaria and in the general establishment of friendly rela­ territory· and Yugoslavia to co~operate generally with the tions along the Greek-Bulgarian frontier." on 20 M ernment Special Committee or even to recognize its 44. After consulting his Government, the existence as a duly constituted and legitimate observati local Bulgarian commanding officer addressed a garian fr organ of the United Nations, the Special Com­ letter, on 25 April 1948, to "The Chairman, mittee continued to seek co-operation in a and plac Observation Group 6, UNSCOB", accepting ment, so narrower field. his request for an interview, which he had made 41. Communications from the Bulgarian Gov­ of the i on 15 April 1948. On 29 April 1948, a :meeting no previ ernment to the Secretary-General reporting fron­ took place between Bulgarian officers, a Greek tier incidents between 31 July and 16 November cation t officer and the observation group on an island tunity of 1947" were forwarded for the information of in the Evros (Maritza) River, the site of the the Special Committee. On 5 January 1948, Governm incident. The Bulgarian account of the incident, municati the Special Committee requested the Secretary­ handed to the observation group, did not refer General to notify the Bulgarian Government that to the Special Committee's telegram of 22 April 48, In it was willing to consider the latter's complaints 1948 but merely said "we have been informed Committ in the same way as it was considering com- that you have been charged by the United forwarde ,. A/AC.16j53/Rev.l, annex n. Nations to make enquiries on the spot regarding Committ j;() A/AC.16/105. an incident"." The attitude of the Bulgarian municati Numerous complaints were submitted by the Bulgarian Government to the Secretary-General in the summer of officers was correct and cordial and the meeting variety 0 1947, at a time when the Security Council had made ended with mutual expressions of good will:' by the the Subsidiary Group of the Commission of Investiga­ banian te tion responsible for investigating such incidents. Bulgaria ., A/AC.16i57/Rev.1. 03 did not submit any complaints, however, to the Sub­ A/AC.1h/123/Rev.1. OD A/AC. sidiary Group itself, which was then charged with having .. A/AC.l6/224. no A/AG. disregarded the Bulgarian complaints (see especially Gfi A/AC.16i211/Rev.1. Rev.I. For S/379, S/397, S/427, S/536, S/536/Add.1 and S/544). GO A/AC.16/229 and AjAC.16/SR.65, pages 2 to 3. paragraphs Concerning the Bulgarian charges while the Special 57 A/AC.l6/SC.l/OG.6/7/S-1, annex B. ., See pa G8 Committee has been in existence, see paragraphs 41 to For an account of the interview, see A/AC.16jSC.­ 62 See pa 47 and 166 to 170. l/OG.6/7/S-l; A/AC.16/SG.l/OG.6j6/S-1; see also "A/AC.16/9 and A/AC.16/36. paragraphs 166 to 170. ~-"T 7 45. A communique of the Press Directorate refusal of Albania to co-operate, the Special ~<.l k~Bul~ i of the Bulgarian Foreign Office dated 16 May Committee decided ;:\pproach the Albanian Greek 1948, however, indicated that the interview did Government, as it had already approached the dlities not reflect any change in Bulgaria's attitude Bulgarian Government, 111 an effort to secure le dis- toward the Special Committee. The Press co-operation in examining the Albanian charges s this Directorate declared: "that Bulgaria has not against Greece reported in the first two Albanian com- changed her attitude towards the United Nations communications addressed to the Secretary­ Balkan C~mmittee v,'hich she continues to re­ General after the Special Committee had been gard as unlawful, and does not consider it established." Consequently, the Special Commit­ l view possible to co-operate with it. In the above­ tee, on 29 January 1948, requested the Secre­ : Bul­ mentioned case the Bulgarian frontier authorities tary-General to inform the Albanian Govern­ pecial admitted certain members of the Balkan Com­ ment that if it desired action to be taken to o the mittee to BUlgarian territory, because, firstly, the examine the incidents, the Special Committee 948:' investigation was arranged by the United would be willing to take action as it was doing Nations as a result of the request of the Bulgarian with regard to similar incidents reported direct ; kept Government for the teturn of the three abducted by the Greek Government. It also requested him com­ Bulgarian frontier guards, and, secondly, because to ascertain what facilities Albania would place ately, the United Nations Secretariat, to which the at the disposal of the Special Committee towards dents Bulgarian Government referred itself, entrusted this end, but stated that the Special Committee ad hoc these members of the Balkan Committee had decided "to examine the matter, even lent's with carrying out the investigation. Any other without the co-operation of the Albanian Gov­ lecial interpretations of the action of the Bulgarian ernment, to the fullest possible extent."·' i the authorities are not in accordance with the facts 49. No direct reply to the offer was received. ~an or with the intentions of the Bulgarian Govern- -I ",. An indirect response, dated 17 March 1948, ;1 orces men.t .1 addressed to the Secretary-General by the 1 the 46. In fact, the Secretary-General had issued Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Albania, ecre- no such instructions. He had merely forwarded transmitted by the Secretary-General to the the the original of the Bulgarian Government protest Special Committee for information, emphasized Gov­ to the Special Committee for its information in ~ the that the communications regularly addressed to accordance with routine procedure. However, the Secretary-General on Greek provocations and the Special Committee was aware of the interest satis­ against Albania were "presented solely for the of an interview carried out in such a cordial information of the Secretary-General of the Jom­ manner and, despite the official reservations, United Nations and of public opinion"."' rvers hoped that it would serve as a precedent for 1 on later meetings on problems of a more general 50. On 14 April 1948, the Special Committee the nature. addressed a telegram direct to the Albanian :cept Government referring to the communications that 47. Consequently, after discussion of a tele­ dated 11 and 17 March 1948 from the Albanian . the gram, dated 15 May 1948, from the Bulgarian Government to the Secretary-General.'· The tele­ sood Government to the Secretary-General concerning gram stated that because of the general refusal dent alleged aerial and other violations of Bulgarian of Albania to co-operate, and especially its un­ reIa- territory by Greek forces, the Special Committee, willingness to submit its complaints to examina­ on 20 May 1948, informed the Bulgarian Gov­ tion by an organ of the United Nations and its ernment that it believed it advisable that an insistence that the communication were solely the observatio:'l group should confer with the Bul­ ~d for the purpose of information, the Special Com­ a garian frontier authorities at a convenient time miW.e was "forced to question whether the com­ nan, and place selected by the Bulgarian Govern­ lting plaints had indeed any basis in fact". The ment, so that a full investigation could be made telegram concluded: lade of the incidents, of which the Committee had ting no previous knowledge." In the same communi­ reek "Ill. The Committee is of the opinion that cation the Special Committee took the oppor­ the rejection by the Government of Albania of and tunity of referring to the reply of the Bulgarian the the Special Committee's proposals for concilia­ Government to the Secretary-General's com­ tion as well as its refusal to co-operate in the .ent, munication of 23 February 1948."' del' verification, by a United Nations organ) of its ,pril 48. In the first six months of the Special accusations against Greece, can only be inter­ ned Committee's existence, the Secretary-General preted as a repudiation by the Albanian Govern­ ited forwarded, for the information of the Special ment of the recommendations of the General l~ng Committee, a large number of Albanian com­ .3 A/AC.16/81 and A/AC.16/82. nan munications to the Secretary-General alleging a " A/AC.16/103. ting variety of provocative acts on land, sea and air .n It is interesting to compare this attitude with r. Albania's attitude in the summer of 1947 when the Sub­ by the Greek Government in violation of Al­ sidiary Group of the Commission of Investigation was banian territory."' In spite of the previous general charged by the Security Council with the responsibility

.\...... for investigating such incidents, and Albania continued "A/AC.16/W.23; see also A/AC.16/254. to address complaints to the Secretary-General but de­ , .0 A/AC.16/258; A/AC.16/SR.79; A/AC.16/259/­ clined to co-operate with tl,e Subsidiary Group (S/259, ~.-:; Rev.I. For comment on other parts of the telegram, see S/259/Corr.l, S/390, S/492, S/493, S/494, S/546 and 3. ... -,: paragraphs 60 and 76. S/556) . j i 01 See paragraphs 60 and 76. 00 A/AC.16/190 and A/AC.16/209; see also paragraph SC.­ ., See paragraph 125. 58 below. also ~A Assembly of the United Nations contained in everything in its power to assist the four Govern­ terror the Assembly's resolution of 21 October 1947. ments to carry out this recommendation. justify "IV. This attitude of the Government of 55. The letters to the Albanian, Bulgarian incite Albania toward the decisions of the General and Yugoslav Governments declared that the tions Assembly of the United Nations and its duly Special Committee held itself at their disposal try as constituted organs is difficult to re<.;Qncile with either to receive their representatives or to visit The ( the desire of the Albanian Government to their countries at their convenience in order to Alban become a Membcr of the United Nations, hear their views. Unitec reiterated in the Security Council as recently as the B: 7 April 1948."0' 56. The lettcr to the Greek Government took the inl account of the fact that Greece had been co­ arrivec 51. The Special Committee made yet another operating with the Special Committee and noted pre~en effort, however, to investigate Greek violations several statements by the Greek liaison repre­ and it. of Albanian territory, alleged to have occurred sentative with respect to Greece's relations with ing to between 5 and 14 April, which had been re­ her northern neighbours.'" It also expressed the Organ ported by Albania to the Secretary-General on hope that the Special Committee might discuss, service 17 April 1948.''' On 25 May 1948, the Special with representatives of the Greek Gcvernment, quillit, Committee informed the Foreign Minister of the general question of the re-establishment of world. Albania that it believed it advisable that an normal diplomatic and good neighbourly rela­ observation group should confer with Albanian tions between Greece and her northern neigh­ 59. frontier authorities at a convenient time and bours. Goven place to be selected by the Albanian Govern­ 2 l\tlay Goven ment, so that a full investigation could be made. Reply of the Greek Government The Albanian Government replied to the Secre­ Specia tary-General that it maintained its attitude on 57. The Greek Minister for Foreign Affairs the Cl this subject, as expressed in its communication replied on 2 March 1948 to the Chairman of could to the Secretary-General of 23 December 1947 ..' the Special Committee as follows: 52. No complaint by Yugoslavia of Greek "1 would like to renew the assurance already Reply frontier violations was brought to the notice of given many times and especially in the declara-· the Special Committee. tion made on 2 December by the Greek liaison 60. representative that the Greek Government, in to the (d) Letters from the Special Committee to spite of the attitude observed so far by the neigh­ ceived Greece, Albania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia bours of Greece towards the Balkan Committee, 1948, dated 23 February 1948, and the replies as well as towards my country, will continue to but c thereto. provide to the United Nations Special Commit­ "Athel tee on the Balkans every means at its disposal in the B 53. Unwilling to accept as final the expres­ matic sions of non-co-operation by Albania, Bulgaria order to facilitate the Committee in its task. and Yugoslavia described in paragraphs 32 to "The liaison service representatives will 39, and because of its desire to implement its always be at the disposal of the Committee to Reply conciliatory mandate, the Special Comn:uttee discuss the general question of re-establishment made a further attempt to secure the general of diplomatic and good neighbourly relations 61. co-operation of the four Governments.'o The with the Governments of Bulgaria and Yugo­ Gover approach consisted of letters to the four Govern­ slavia respectively, as well as the question of re­ The re ments, couched in essentially similar terms. The establishing normal relations with Albania."" of the letters to Albania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia were "As sent through the Secretary-General and that to mende the Greek Government direct to the Greek Reply of the Albanian Government Balkan Foreign Minister. 58. The reply of the Albanian Government, which 54. All four letters" stressed the conciliatory addressed to the Secretary-General on 11 March Comm mandate of the Special Committee and drew 1948 and received by him on 6 April, was a to the attention to the recommendation in paragraph 5 categorical refusal to co-operate with tPt: Special the U of the General Assembly resolution of 21 Oc­ Committee and an attack upon its activities. It illegal tober 1947 that the four countries concerned read as follows: or fact should establish normal diplomatic and good Nation "The Government of the People's Republic ment neighbourly relations among themselves as soon of Albania in its cable 927/111 of 23 December as pos::;ible. This, in the opinion of the Special Yugosl 1947 addressed to Your Excellency defined its illegiti Committee, was "the key to the solution of the attitude towards the United Nations Special problem which led the ... General Assembly to whatev Committee on the Balkans, and this attitude is pleme adopt the resolution of 21 October 1947." The still justified especially when one considers the Special Committee expressed its anxiety to do Assem activity of the Special Committee, which not Yugosl only does not serve the maintenance of tran­ consid " AIAC.l6/220. quillity and peace but has become a support of GB AIAC.16/230. from s 00 AIAC.16/288; see also paragraph 36 above. the Greek monarcho-fascists to increase the '0 See AIAC.16/SR.38, pages 1 to 10 and AIAC.16/­ ,. AI SR.39, pages 1 to 7. 12 AIAC.16/10; A/AC.16/52; A/AC.16/83 and '" AI "AIAC.l6/122/Rev.l; A/AC.16/123/Rev.1; AIAC.­ A/AC.16/84. '0 AI 16/124/Rev.1 and AIAC.16/125/Rev.1. " AIAC.16/158. " AI 9 iovern- terror and the sllfferings of the Greek people, to 62. Thus, while the Government of Greece justify American intervention in Greece and to indicated its desire to co-operate in this con­ ciliatory effort of the Special Committee, the Ilgarh:ll1 incite the monarcho-fascists to commit provoca­ tions and fabricate calumnies against our coun­ Governments of Albania, Bulgaria and Yugo­ 1ut the slavia did not. The Albanian and Yugoslav Gov­ ~lisposaI try as well as against Yugoslavia and Bulgaria. The Government of the People's Republic of ernments dec.lared that the Special Committee to visit was not'a legitimate organ of the United Nations, 'rder to Albania would "like to recall that even the United Nations Commission of Investigation in and the Bulgarian Government ignored it. the Balkans,.vhich was not unilateral, under nt took the influence and pressure of certain delegations B. Efforts of the Special Committee ~() as­ ~en co­ arrived at false and unfounded conclusions. At sist the four Governments cOflcerned in 1 noted present, as for UNSCOB. its very composition the implementation of the General repre­ and its attitude show that 1': is not acting accord­ Assembly's recommendatic)ns 11S with ing to the high principles of the United Nations sed the Organization but has put itself directly at the 63. Despite the co-operation of the Greek discuss, service of the instigators of war against tran­ Government, and because of the refusal of nment, quillity and peace in the Balkans and in the Albania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia to co-operate, lent of world."" the Special Committee has so far been unable y rcla­ to fulfil its mandate to assist in the establish­ neigh- 59. A later communication from the Albanian Government to the Secretary-General, dated ment of normal diplomatic and good neigh­ 2 :May 1948, reaffirmed the view of the Albanian bourly relations and frontier conventions between Government that, since the creation of the Greece and her northern neighbours and in the Special Committee was illegal and contrary to solution of the problems of refugees and Affairs the Charter, no demarche or proposition fran it minorities.'" nan of could be taken into consideration.'· 64. The Special Committee recognized the serious nature of this failure, which coincided uready Reply of the BulgaTian Government with the general deterioration in the situation eclara­ along the northern frontiers of Greece and in liaison 60. The reply of the Bulgarian Government the political relations between Greece and her ~nt, In to the Secretary-General, wh:ich was not re­ northern neighbours. Indeed, on 31 December neigh­ ceived by the Special Committee until 20 April 1947 and 10 January 1948, at the time of the mittee, 1948, did not mention the Special Committee, large-scale attack by the guerrilla forces against nul' to but confined itself to an attack upon the Konitsa in Epirus, the Special Committee felt lITunit­ "Athens Government" and to the conditions of compelled to send two interim reports to the osal III the Bulgarian Government for resuming diplo­ General Assembly calling attention to the in­ .sk. matic relations with the fornler Government.'· creasing gravity of the situation on the northern frontiers of Greece and s\..lting in the first report ; will Reply of the Yugoslav Government that it might be impelled to recommend the ttee to convocation of a special session.'D hment lations 61. Finally, on 22 April 1948, the Yugoslav 65. However, at that early stage of its work, Yugo­ Government replied to the Secretary-General. the Special Committee was hopeful that its con­ of re- The reply, which was just as categorical as that ciliatory efforts might bear fruit. This hope, as a. ,,73 of the Albanian Government, stated: well as the fact that the development of the "As the above-mentioned proposal was recom­ situation on the northern frontiers of Greece mended by the Special Committee on the did not reach such a crisis as to demand imme­ Balkans I would like to renew to you the stand diate action for tile maintenance of international 1ment, I which my Government took with regard to this peace and security, led the Special Committee March Committee, namely, that its creation is opposed to decide not to recommend the convocation of was a to the very letter and spirit of the Charter of a special session.'" It was felt that the General Assemblv would be in a better Dosition to make ipecial the United Nations, that this Committee is ~ecOl1U11endations :ies. It illegal and that it cannot be from either a legal further if th'e Special Com­ or factual point of view, an organ of the United mittee were able to continue its work and pre­ Nations. In consequence whereof the Govern­ sent a full report on all phases of the problem." public ment of the Federal People's Republic of 66. The Special Committee was aware that ember Yugoslavia considers that this Committee is prior to ~he outbreak of the Second World War, led its illegitimate, and cannot undertake any action the relatlOns between Greece and her northern Ipecial whatever which would have as its aim the im­ neighbours had been troubled by economic, terri­ ude IS plementation of the resolution of the General torial and minority problems. Nevertheless, rs the Assembly of 21 October 1947. Therefore, the Greek-Yugoslav relations had been those of h not Yugoslav Government is unable to take into friendly alliance since the period of the Balkan tran­ consideration any proposal whatever which stems 'art of 'B General Assembly resolution, paragraph 5. from such an organ.",. 7D AIAC.16/53/Rev.l, page 7 and AIAC.16/71. e the BD General Assembly resolution, paragraph 8. 74 AIAC.l6/209. St See especially AIAC.16/53/Rev.l ; AIAC.16/71; A/­ and 7. AIAC.16/268; see also paragraphs 36 and 80 AC.16jSR.56, pages 1 to 4; A/AC.16/PV.56, pages 1 70 AIAC.16/224; see also paragraph 72. . to 5; AIAC.16/SR.57, pages 1 to 3; AIAC.16/SR.60, 77 AIAC.l6/238. c . pages 1 and 2. ' __~~''''''"_'''''__ ii''' ,---_.__.... "M" ._ 1i ? 10 ~

wars, and commercial treaties had been signed has so far been unable to assist the four Govern- I 7' between Greece and Albania (1926), Greece ments concerned to establish such relations.·' POSl and Yugoslavia (1927) and Greece and Bul­ dipl garia (1927) in the inter-war era, even before 70. On 2 December 1947, the Greek liaison the the Balkan Conferences (1930-19:340) had af­ representative formally stated that Greece was 1941 forded some hope for a more general settlement "firmly determined to regulate all her differences repl of the Balkan problems. with her neighbours in the spirit of the Charter 67. Since the war, formal diplomatic relations and of the resolution of the Assembly", and that lish have continued between Greece and Yugoslavia, she was equally anxious "to do all she could for wit but there have been no diplomatic relations be­ the establishment of nQ. mal diplomatic rela­ the tween Greece on the one hand and Albania and tions between Greece and her three northern Yug Bulgaria on the other. In the view of the Special neighbours", but had "the right to demand of It , Committee, the significant problem in Greek­ them to make a similar effort to this end and to neig Yugoslav relations-that of an outlet to the display similar good will". He declared that his prO\ Aegean Sea for Yugoslavia-had reached a Government regretted that relations with Yugo­ bou substantial solution with the establishment of a slavia had not returned to their former cor­ stat Yugoslav free zone in Salonika. In e:lThrace with its outlet by the Bulgarian Government for the recall of calu to the Aegean Sea, despite the fact that a Greek Greek military liaison officers and wholesale and free zone had been established at Salonika in deportation of Greek subjects. Meanwhile, an iron official statement by Premier Dimitrov on 16 De­ Bule October 1925 for the purpose of providing an bee~ outlet for Bulgaria and for other countries. cember 1947, on the occasion of the signing of the Albanian-Bulgarian Treaty of Alliance, Ath( 68. The Special Committee also took note of denounced the Greek Government. and hailed the. the fact that the Second World War had added the so-called "Democratic Army" of Greece, requ ideological differences to those territorial, eco­ "whose victory constitutes an historical necessity Uni nom~c and minority problems. The hardening for peace in the Balkans and for an interna­ iron .,".: of those differences was noted in the official tional peace in general". The joint communique le .... this communiques accompanying the Treaties of issued on that occasion also stated that the Fro Alliance concluded between Albania and Yugo­ Albanian and Bulgarian Governments con­ occ slavia (9 July 1946), Bulgaria and Yugoslavia sidered that the re-establishment of diplomatic (27 November 1947) and Albania and Bul­ relations with Greece was "hindered by the fact garia (16 December 1947)." that today Greece is not an independent and sovereign country." Finally, the Special Com­ 1. PROBLEM OF NO- _Bulgarians and by Bulgarian spokesmen on the occasion of the ,een the at all times recognized as Bulgarian." The signing of pacts of alliance between Albania, :l neigh- Athens Government has seen fit to ignore the Bulgaria and Yugoslavia, in which the Greek fact, recorded in the history of the war, that Government was taken to task and far from Bulgaria took part in the defeat of Hitlerite friendly and pacific feelings were expressed. He Germany and that, as a result of the Bulgarian Special added that the Greek Government "has the Army's advance towards the Adriatic Sea, .e Greek right to require that the Bulgarian Government Bulgaria hastened the evacuation of Greece by :elations cease furnishing every aid to the guerrillas, that the German troops. Novem­ it comply with the provisions of the Peac' garia of "The policy towards Bulgaria of the Athens Treaty which it signed, and that it state catego­ :lemand Government has consisted solely of a series of rically that after the entry into force of the ecall of calumnies, of appeals for foreign intervention Peace Treaty it has no claims whatsoever on holesale and of incitements to war, accompanied by Greece". lile, an frontier provocations and even invasions of 75. Finally, he repeated that "despite the 16 De­ Bulgarian territory. Unfortunately, there has facts set out above, the Greek Government is ning of been no change of attitude in the policy of the always ready ... to re-establish diplomatic rela­ ,lliance, Athens Government towards Bulgaria even after tions with Bulgaria in the hope that it may hailed the former approached the Brit:ish Government thereby facilitate the re-establishment of normal Greece, requesting its good offices. The Secretariat of the and good neighbourly relations between the two .ecessity United Nations is kept regularly informed of the countries".., nterna­ frontier violations committed by Greece, but lUnique this has, unfortunately, produced no result as yet. 76. The Special Committee, after considera­ Frontier incidents provoked by Greece are still tion of the reply of the Bulgarian Government tat the ", s con­ occurrIng.. and the comment of the Greek liaison repre­ sentative thereon, suggested to the Bulgarian lomatic "The Government of the People's Republic of Government on 20 May 1948 a general discus­ he fact Bulgaria, which sincerdy desires to contribute sion with its representatives about resumption ut and towards the improvement of relations between of diplomatic relations." No reply has been Com­ the two countries, would have no objection to received from the Bulgarian Government. wrches the re-establishment of diplomatic relations with :ember Greece if the Athens Government could give an 77. On 12 June 1948, the Special Committee :lom to earnest of its willingness to renounce its annexa- learned that the Bulgarian Government had lent of approached the Greek Government, through the lent of "7 See paragraph 60. "" The reference is to a strategic rectification along the Secretary-General of the United Nations, with ulgaria Greek-Bulgarian frontier sought by Greece. On the a proposal that the diplomatic representatives of occasion of the signing of the Peace Treaty with Bul­ garia on 10 February 1947, Greece maintained this claim " A/AC.16/224. in a formal reservation and Bulgaria maintained its '1 A/AC.16/244.. claim to the entire Greek province of Western Thrace "A/AC.16/244 and A/AC.16/SR.76, pages 6 and 7. with its outlet to the Aegean Sea. 03 A/AC.16/259/Rev.l; A/AC.16/SR.77, pages 3 to 6; pages ", For comment on this portion of letter, see para­ A/AC.l6/SR.79, pages 3 to 8; see also paragraphs 47 d 2. graphs 41 to 47. and 60. Bulgaria and Greece in Washington be in­ Albania as created by the last war ;;md structed by their Governments by the to meet and moral and material aid supplied by the Albanian study ways and means for the .. re-establishment Government to the rebeI s operatmg m Greece.",. of diplomatic relations between the two coun­ tries. The Greek Government accepted the 2. PROBLEM OF FRONTIER CONVENTIONS proposal and instructed its Ambassador in Washington to act accordingly. 82. Lack of co-operation by Albania, Bul­ garia and Yugoslavia also prevented 78. The Special Committee the Special saw no indica­ Committee from rendering effective tions of improvement in the help in the relations between establishment of frontier conventions." Yugoslavia and Greece. It noted, however, many signs of deterioration, particularly Radio Bel­ The Special Committee, however, calls the grade broadcasts on behalf of the "Provisional attention of the General Assembly to the fact Democratic Greek Government", the establish­ that on 4 February 1948 the Greek liaison repre­ ment in Yugoslavia of committees to aid "Free sentative presented a model draft agreement Greece", radio broadcasts inimical to Greece, based largely on the 1931 Agreement concerning and the part played by Yugoslavia in receiving frontier guards on the Greek-Bulgarian frontier, children removed by the guerrillas from Greece." but also suggesting a procedure to be followed for the settlement of incidents arising out of the 79. The Special Committee found little evi­ presence of irregular bands in the frontier dence of progress toward the resumption of dip­ areas.lOO lomatic relations between Albania and Greece.'" 80. In its communication 83. On 5 May 1948, the Special Committee D7 to the Secretary­ General of 2 May 1948 the Albanian Govern­ invited the Greek Government to specify which of the ment stated its conditions for the resumption of treaties with Bulgaria it intended to revive diplomatic relations with Greece. The communi­ under the provisions of article VIII of the cation began by an attack upon the Treaty of Peace with Bulgaria, signed on 10 "Athens 'D' Government". It was alleged that the govern­ February 1947. The Greek Government, on 8 ment continued to employ the pretence that May 1948, replied that it had requested, Greece was in a state of war with Albania and through the Government of the United King­ to press its "absurd territorial claims" to North­ dom, that the Frontier Convention of 1931 and the ern Epirus and was carrying on a bitter Press Extradition Convention of 1929 be put into force and radio campaign against Albania and in­ again. "As regards the other conventions tensifying frontier provocations. In spite of this, existing before the war", the Greek Government however, the Albanian Government declared considered that "they no longer answer the necessities that, prompted by the desire to put an end to of the present time and that, in con­ sequence, the state of tension on the Albanian-Greek fron­ there is no reason to request that they be put into tier, it would be ready to resume discussion of force again" .'D2 the establishment of normal diplomatic relations 84. In the view of the Special Committee with Greece if the the Greek Government should model draft frontier agreement presented indicate a similar desire. by the Greek Government m:, '>t well serve as a basis of negotiation between the 81. Commenting upon the Albanian state­ four Governments concerned, with a view to the ment, the Greek Government re-affirmed its pacific settlement of frontier incidents and disputes view that a state of war continued to exist be­ and the regula­ tion and control of their common tween Albania and Greece, both de jure and frontiers. de facto. Secondly, it repeated its claim to 85. On 4 February 1948, the Greek liaison Northern Epirus which had been referred to the representative informed the Special Committee Council of Foreign Ministers but had not yet that the Greek Government considered that an been dealt with. The Greek Government com­ agreement on frontier traffic which formed a plained of the continued oppression of the part of the Greek.Yugoslav Commercial Treaty Greek-speaking population by Albania. Finally, of 1927 was still valid.'D' The implementation of it stated that it "would be prepared to enter this agreement had been entrusted to the mili­ into negotiations for the conclusion of a treaty tary authorities who drew up frontier regulations to settle the questions in suspense and terminate which before the war "were carried out by both the present state of relations between Greece and parties in a spirit of good neighbourliness and permitted of friendly D'A/AC.16/289; settlement of any frontier A/AC.16/291; A/AC.16/SR.9l. incidents which might arise". DO See paragraphs 103 to 124. See also the Thomaides He alleged that, i affair. Thomaides was a Greek employee of the Greek since the war, whenever an incident had oc­ Legation L in Belgrade who was arrested by the Yugoslav curred and the Greek frontier authorities had authorities and met his death while under arrest. The case gave rise to bitter charges by the Greek Govern­ D' A/AC.16/272. ment. An ad hoc Committee was established Whatever the truth may have been, the handling in June 1948 of the incident to study the communications received from indicated a lack of good neighbourly the Albanian and Greek r relations. A/AC.16/130; Governments (A/AC.16/SR.84, A/AC.16/159; A/AC.16/167; pages 3 to 6; A/AC.16/SR.91). A/AC.16/185; A/AC.16/216; A/AC.16/225; A/AC.16/­ "General Assembly resolution, paragraph 5 (2). 243; A/AC.16/SC.2/Min.28 and A/AC.l6/SR.76, 1D. page 2. A/AC.J6/114 and annexes A and C; A/AC.16/­ SR.34, page 2; A/AC.l6/SR.38, page 10; A/AC.16/­ DD A/AC.16/SR.80, pages 9 and 10; A/AC.16/SR.82, SC.2/l. pages 1 to 5; A/AC.16/SR.84, pages 3 to 6; A/AC.16/­ SR.9l. ,., A/AC.16/240; A/AC.16/SR.72, pages 2 and 3. '02 A/AC.l6/246. .7 A/AC.16/268; see also paragraph 59. '·'A/AC.16/83, page 4; A/AC.16/114 and annex B. 7."''':'-S:-~';':'~ fit

I r and by the requested an interview, the Yugoslav frontier ernment had informed the Special Committee, the Albanian authorities had usually refused to reply. on 4 March 1948, that it had no objection to in Greece."·' permitting refugees who desired to emigrate to 86. There is no existing machinery for the other countries to leave, with the exception of \7ENTIONS regulation of incidents on the Albanian-Greek some twenty persons who were being tried for frontier. no Jbania, Bul~ crimes or misdemeanours. The Sub-Com­ .. mittee's interrogation of refugees, of whom only :l the Special 3. PROBLEM OF REFUGEES ~ help in the eight (six Bulgarians and two Yugoslavs) ex­ IS.•• 87. On 10 December 1947 the Special Com­ pressed willingness to be repatriated, convinced mittee established a sub-committee to study the Special Committee that most of the refugees er, calls the problems of refugees and minorities with a view would not return voluntarily to the countries of to the fact to assisting Albania, Bulgaria, Greece and Yugo~ their origin unless there were a political change liaison repre­ slavia to implement the recommendations of in those countries. Most were willing and some t agreement paragraph 5 of its terms of reference.">! Since even anxious to emigrate permanently to any t concerning only the Greek Government was willing to other country. In consequence of the unwilling­ 'ian frontier, co~operate, the Special Committee was unable ness of the majority to be repatriated and the be followed to complete its preliminary work in this field by refusal of three of the four Governments con­ .g out of the complete and impartial study. cerned to co-operate, the Special Committee was the frontier unable to fulfil the General Assembly's mandate 88. The Special Committee began its work on on this matter. the problem of political refugees with a ques­ Committee tionnaire to the Greek Liaison Service, dated 91. The Special Committee was satisfied that lecify which 20 December 1947. The Greek liaison repre­ in the camps visited the Greek Government was led to revive sentative replied, on 29 December 1947, that taking reasonable security measures to prevent 'Ill of the the total number of Albania, Bulgarian and political and military activity; it found no evi~ ~ned on 10 Yugoslav refugees in Greece was 1,236 of whom dence of undue political activity and no evidence rnment, on 613 were Albanians, 214 were Bulgarians and of military activity by international refugees. requested, 409 were Yugoslavs. They were located in camps 92. The Special Committee felt for several !lited King­ at Piraeus, Lavrion, Salonika and on the island )f 1931 and reasons that some action should be taken as of Syros. It was stated that most of these quickly as possible to remo'e these refugees from be put into refugees were people who had fled their coun­ conventions Greece: first, they w..::e an international irri­ tries for political reasons and that they were tant; secondly, they were a burden on the Greek }overnment under police supervision "in order to ensure that answer the Government; thirdly, the Special Committee was they refrain from all political activities". The concerned about the hopeless life of these Iat, in con­ Greek Government, on the other hand, had no st that they refugees, many of whom had spent several years information as to the number of Greek nationals in concentration camps. The Special Committee f] who had fled Greece to take refuge in Albania, noted that the Greek Government had done all nmittee the Bulgaria and Yugoslavia:o, The Greek Govern­ that could be expected of it under present cir­ !lted by the ment alleged that those Greek "refugees" had cumstances in housing and feeding the refugees as a basis been used for forming guerrila bands for use in under conditions which at least were comparable Clvernments Greece:o. to those of Greek domestic refugees.m The . settlement 89. After circulating a questionnaire on Special Committee felt that, although the in­ the regula­ voluntary repatriation'01 to all the refugees and ternational refugee problem could not be settled llltiers. studying the replies, Sub-Committee 3 visited within its terms of reference, attempts should be 'eek liaison refugee centres at Salonika, Piraev~ and Lavrion made to settle the problem in Greece on prac­ Committee and on the island of Syros, and interrogated tical lines. It therefore decided: 'OB cd that an refugees. "(a) That the problem and the records of the formed a 90. The Special Committee approved, on international refugees in Greece be turned over :ial Treaty 27 March 1948, the report of Sub-Committee 3 to a competent agency of the United Nations; cntation of on the problem of refugees.'·' It found that "(b) If no United Nations body is able to ) the mili­ Greece was willing to comply with the General regulations assume this responsibility, a direct approach by Assembly recommendations that the four Gov­ the Special Committee might be made to those ut by both repatria~ ernments co-operate in the voluntary countries to which some of the refugees in 'liness and tion of refugees where possible. The Greek Gov- 1Y frontier Greece have expressed the desire to emigrate, eged that, 10< General Assembly resolution, paragraph 5 (3) and for example, Australia, France, Syria, Turkey, t had oc­ (4) . United Kingdom and the United States of 10. A/AC.16i45. ' lrities had ,•• On 15 April 1947, the Greek Government informed America. An approach might also be made by the Commission of Investigation that the total number the Special Committee via the Secretary-General s established of refugees in Greece was 1,245. The Albanian, Bul­ of the United Nations with a view to sending :ceived from garian and Yugoslav Governments, which freely ad­ :J.16/SR.84, mitted that some 20,000 Greek nationals had fled into international refugees in Greece to those coun­ their countries, refused to submit any lists to that Com~ tries which have a definite policy of encouraging j (2). mission. See especially SIAC.4/18; SIAC.4/27; SIAC.4/­ immigration, for e}i8,mple, Argentina, Brazil, A/AC.16/- 70; S/ACA/lOO; S/AC.4/116; S/AC.4/l30; S/AC.4/­ A/AC.16/- l; 221. Canada, Union of South Africa." [, 101 AIAC.16jSC.3/l/Rev.1. 2 and 3. lOB A/AC.16/SR.28, pages 2 and 3; AIAC.16/SR.36, no A/AC.16/SC.3/4; A/AC.16/SC.3/5; AIAC.16/SC.­ pages 1 and 2. 3/6. d annex B. ~ ",) A/AC.16/179; A/AC.16/SR.51, page 7. mAlAC.16/179, page 7. 14

93. On 6 January 1948, the Special Com­ take any action concerning Greek refugees in mittee communicated with the Preparatory Albania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia because it was Commission for the International Refugee unable to approach either the Governments of '18 Organization (PCIRO) in Geneva concerning those countries or the refugees themselves. the problem, but the latter replied on 9 February 1948 that it would be unable to assist in its 4. PROBLEM OF MINORITIES solution."'. On 10 June 1948, however, the 98. Similarly, the Special Committee was Special Committee was informed that the Pre­ hampered in its study of the practicability of paratory Commission had made a preliminary concluding agreements for the voluntary transfer survey of some aspects of the problem and was of minorities."' On 27 December 1947, the prepared to examine the possibility of rendering Special Committee requested the Greek liaison assistance in solving the problem of international representative tu furnish information about m refugees in Greece. minorities.'" On 15 April 1948 the Greek liaison 94. On 9 April 1948, the Special Committee representative replied that the Greek Govern­ decided to .send letters to the Bulgarian and ment considered the problem of the Chams, the Yugoslav Governments with regard to the re­ Albanian-speaking Moslem minority in Greece, patriation of six Bulgarian and two Yugoslav largely settled by the emigration of the Moslem refugees in Greece who had expressed a desire Chams to Albania. A solution of the question of to be repatriated.m No reply has yet been re­ the Greek Slavophones, and of Greek minorities ceived from either Government. in the neighbouring countries, he declared, re­ quired the co-operation of those countries. The 95. On 21 April 1948, the Special Committee Greek Government, therefore, could not, in the addressed letters to the Governments of those present circumstances, put forward a solution of countries to which the refugees in Greece had this problem and reserved its right to do so as expressed a desire to emigrate, inviting them to circumstances permitted.'" state whether they would be disposed to admit as immigrants a proportion of the 1,200 refugees 99. The Special Committee fully appreciates in Greece. The Syrian Government replied on the complex character of the problem of minori­ 11 May 1948 that working conditions did not ties and is continuing its studies, but is not now permit the admission of the number of refugees in a position to state its views.'" in question.no ** .;c- 100. The Special Committee has thus done a 96. Another letter was sent to the Secretary­ great deal of preparatory work but has so far General requesting him to address similar re­ been unable, on account of the lack of co-opera­ quests to those Governments which had a tion of Albania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia, to definite policy of encouraging immigration and achieve any substantial result in improving rela­ to approach the appropriate authorities for tions between Greece and her northern neigh­ funds to carry out a transfer of the refugees in 1l6 bours. It has not, however, ab2ndoned hope that Greece. Although no official replies have yet these three Governments may alter their position, ha~ been received, the French Government ex­ co-operate with the Committee, and thereby pressed interest and requested further informa­ m contribute, as the Government of Greece has tion. done, to a solution of these complicated ques- 97. The Special Committee was unable to tions.

CHAPTER III

OBSERVATION BY THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE EXTENT OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION OF 21 OCTOBER 1947

A. Support of the Greek guerrilla move­ 1947, of a so-called "Provisional Democratic ment in Albania, Bulgaria and Yugo­ Greek Government" headed by Markos.'" The slavia proclamation of the guerrilla "Government" declared that one of its principal purposes was 1. PROCLAMATION OF THE MARKOS "GOVERN­ MENT" 118 A/AC.16/179, page 8. "' General Assembly resolution, paragraph 5 (4). 101. In its first interim report of 31 December ". A/AC.16/SC.3/2. 121 A/AC.16/223. The Greek liaison representative r, 1947, the Special Committee referred to the stated that the number of Slavophones living in Greek I territory at the present time was approximately 75,000 I particular importance of the problem presented !; to 80,000. He estimated that there were 18,000 Bul­ by the formation, announced on 24 December garian-speaking Moslems living in Western Thrace and, at the outbreak of the Second World War, some 18,000 m A/AC.16/SC.3/5 and annexes. Moslem Chams in Southern Epii"tls. See also A/AC.16/­ 113 A/AC.16/292. SC.2/10 for the Special Committee's study of the prob­ '" A/AC.16/SR.58, pages 6 -and 7; A/AC.16/206/­ lem of m~norities. For Greek Liaison Service comment Rev.l; A/AC.16/207,!'P"ev.1. on that study see A/AC.16/298. 11G A/AC.16/255. m See A/AC.16/SC.2/Min.28; A/AC.16/284,; A/AC.­ 110 A/AC.16/SR.64, page 2; A/AC.16/208/Rev.l; 16/293 and A/AC.16/SR.89. A/AC.16/228. ". A/AC.16/53/Rev. 1, page 6; A/521, page 6. For 111 A/AC.16/SR.69, page 5. bzckground documents see A/AC.16/11; A/AC.16/37. £ ill

15 :'eek refugees in ia because it was to establish "diplomatic relations with the demo­ n~tional committees for aid to the "Greek Demo­ Governments of cratic countries.""·' cratic People" and numerous broadcasts and s statements emanating from persons of high hemselves." 102. On 25 December 1947, the Greek Gov­ official rank and from unofficial sources.':' RITIES ernment stated that it considered the proclama­ tion of 1farkos.. to be simply a "further stage in ::::ommittee was a plan carefully prepared by Yugoslavia, Bul­ 2. COMMITTEES TO AID THE "GREEK DEMO­ practicability of garia and Albania and aimed at imposing a CRATIC PEOPLE"'" oluntary transfer communist regime upon Greece, by force, con­ 105. So far as the Special Committee, which aber 1947, the trary to the wishes of the great majority of the has been unable to enter the territory of the le Greek liaison Greek people".m northern neighbours of Greece, has been able mnation about to ascertain, national committees· for aid to the he Greek liaison 103. In Albania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia, on the other hand, the proclamation of 24 Decem­ "Greek Democratic People" were systematically Greek Govern- m organized throughout Albania, Bulgaria and the Chams, the ber 1947 was greeted with enthusiasm. The Special Committee felt some concern lest the Yugoslavia for the purpose of ren.tering moral, ority in Greece, political and material assistance to the guerrilla . of the Moslem northern neighbours of Greece proceeded to recognize such a "government", and had in movement in Greece.'31 The fact that these . the question of Balkan "action committees" were openly and ;rcek minorities mind the possible consequences of a premature recognition. Considering its responsibilities to the systematically established, that their establish­ le declared, re­ ment was in all cases under the sponsorship of : countries. The United Nations as an organ of the General Assembly and desiring to avoid being faced with quasi-official organizations, and that their activi­ mId not, in the ties were announced and fostered over Govern­ rd a solution of a fait accompli, the Special Committee decided to take the initiative. Accordingly, on 29 Decem­ ment-controlled radio broadcasting stations, 5ht to do so as ber 1947, the Special Committee unanimously clearly indicated their official encouragement adopted the following resolution: '" and support. T.he close connexion between the lIly appreciates aid movement and the Greek guerrillas was )lem of minori­ "The Committee is of the opinion that a demonstrated by the frequent presence of special but is not now recognition, even de facto, of the movement representatives of Markos at meetings of those describing itself 2S the 'Provisional Democratic committees in Albania, Bulgaria and Yugo­ Greek Government' followed by direct or in­ slavia.'" !as thus done a direct aid and assistance to an insurrectionary but has so far movement against the Government of a Member (a) Bulgaria ck of co-opera­ o~ the United Nations in defiance of interna­ 106. Even before the public announcement Yugoslavia, to tional law, peace treaties and the principles of of the "Provisional Democratic Greek Govern­ mproving rela­ the Charter, would constitute a grave threat to ment", a National Committee for Assistance to orthern neigh­ the 'maintenance of international peace and the Greek Democratic People was organized on oned hope that security'." 22 December 1947, on the initiative of the r their position, Two days later, in its first interim report, the National Committee of the Fatherland Front, , and thereby Special Committee pointed out that any act of the political foundation on which the Bulgarian of Greece has association with that "Government" on the part Government rests. The officers of this Committee :J.plicated ques- of Albania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia, of the consisted of prominent leaders in Bulgarian type envisaged in the aforesaid resolution, might public life, members of the Sobranje and former render impossible the implementation of its man­ rr.embers of the Cabinet, and included Mme. date and might impel the Special Committee to Rosa Dimitrova, wife of the Bulgarian Premier. recommend the convocation of a special session On 27 December 1947, this National Committee of the General Assembly.'" CE WITH THE m For a preliminary survey of aid-to-Markos actidties 104. No formal recognition took place. Never­ with reference to the question of recognition of the theless, t~e attention of the Special Committee "Provisional Democratic Government" by the Govern­ ments of Albania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia, see AIAC.­ al Democratic was promptly dravvn to a new campaign in 16/W.25. See also For a Lasting Peace, for a People's Markos.'" The Albania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia, as well as in DemocracJI, Belgrade, 15 April 1948, page 1; 1 March some other countries, to provide moral, political 1948, page 1; and 1 January 1948, page 1. "Government" 130 Most of the information contained in this section is I purposes was or material aid to the Greek guerrillas. This cam­ based on Albanian, Bulgarian al-d Yugoslav journals, paign primarily involved the organization of Radio Belgrade broadcasts monitored by the Secretariat and documentation supplied by the Greek Liaison Serv­ raph 5 (4). ice (hereinafter cited as GLS). The evidence relating to '" A/AC.16/40; A/AC.16/41. See also the mficial the despatch of supplies to the guerrillas in Greece was n representative organ of the Information Bureau of the Communist and given by witnesses examined by the Special Committee's living in Greek Workers' Parties, For a Lasting Peace, for a People's observers. )ximately 75,000 Democracy, 1 January 1948, No. 1 (4), page 1. ]31 Details and citations will be found in the following ere 18,000 Bul­ ". AIAC.16/38. paragraph,;. ern Thrace and, lOG A/AC.16/SC.2/2. See, for example, the statement 132 In an interview granted to the 50-called "Free rar, some 18,000 of Premier Dimitrov of Bulgaria broadcast on 31 Decem­ Greece Agency" and broadcast over the Skoplje and Bel­ also A/AC.161­ ber 1947 (A/AC.16/!30); see also semi-official Bash­ grade radio stations on 30 January 1948, Petros Roussos, ldy of the prob­ kimi, Tirana, 28 December 1947, leading article; Zagre­ so-called Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Markos lervice comment backi N arodni, Zagreb, 28 December 1947; Borba (organ "government" stated that the formation in 50 many coun­ of the Communist Party of Yugoslavia), 25 December tries of committees to aid Greece, and the congratulatory 16/284; AlAC.• 1947; Seljacka Borba, 2 January 1948. telegrams which were being sent to Markos, constituted f '"' AIAC.16/50. For discussion see AIAC.16/SR.20, a "de facto international recognition ()f the just struggle 21, page 6. For I pages 1 to 5; A/AC.16/SR.21, pagcs 1 to 5; A/AC.16/­ of the Greek people". (A/AC.16/113, pages 7 to 11. AlAC.16/37. SR.22, pages 1 to 3; AIAC.16/SR.23, pages 2 and 3. This document is A Survey of Aid-to-Mm"kos Activities "'A/AC.16/53/Rev.l; A/521; General Assembly based on radio broadcast statements during the period ~ resolution. naraQ'ranh 8. 16-31 January 19411 submiit~d by the GLS.) ,.- -.- ..----""'-_ _ ..__7 - 13 __iii!_ :i!i!. ,. ., • '0",'''. , .- ~~ .. ,"'"

sent a cable addressing Markos as "The First and material aid to the Greek guerrillas was 109. lOT Prime Minister of the Provisional Government" again emphasized. Groups ~ and extending the fullest moral support to the 1948 cOl "freedom-loving Greek people."'" At a demon­ 107. An appeal of the Bulgarian National and oth Committee to the Bulgarian people, an original stration held in Sofia on 28 December 1947 a through resolution asserting the determination of the copy of which was submitted by the Greek ncsses g Bulgarian people "to support the Greek people Liaison Service on 6 April 1948, declared that Group 4 morally and materially" was approved by the Bulgarian people knew "that the victory of "vas a c acclamation. In an announcement to the Bul­ the democratic forces in Greece" was "in their Greece • garian people on 2 January 1948, the Bulgarian interest, because only thus will there be estab­ the colIc National Committee appealed for contributions, lished a lasting peace in the Balkans". Calling On anot declaring that the Bulgarian people should on "all patriotic Bulgarians" to bring "moral testimon) "clearly understand ... that a victory of the and political aid -to the struggling Greek 1948.'11 Greek people is definitely in the interests of Bul­ people", it urged "mass support" of the "popular garia". For this reason, it was stated, the committees which have spontaneously arisen in Bulgarian people should give "their moral and our midst to assist the democratic Greek people." political aid to the Greek people during the Finally, it admonished the Bulgarian people, in 110. present struggle" and "provide material assist­ the words of Premier Dimitrov, never to forget establishl thuc "when once the Greek people is freed of ance to the refugees from Greece". Large pro­ "Greek imperialist foreigners and of its monarcho­ Markos demonstrations were organized in United fascists ... the common structure of those coun­ Plovdiv, Pleven, Gavrovo, Silven, and Stara of the tries which love liberty and peace" could "be Zagora. On 4 January 1948, the Sofia radio Anti-Fas finally consolidated".':IS announced that local committees had been committ January established in almost every town and village in 108. Various ways of rendering assistance Bulgaria and that contributions in money, exceptio were devised in Bulgaria, as in other countries, organiza clothing and other materials were continuing. through "voluntary" deductions from wages, Representatives of lvfarkos were present in Sofia soon org, subscriptions on the part of organizations and supplies, on 24 January 1948 at an artistic performance the sale of special stamps, the proceeds of which for the purpose of collecting funds for the guer­ were un were for the assistance of Greek guerrillas.'" ment of rilla movement.'" Vice-Premier and Foreign Thus, workmen in many factories gave a portion Minister Kularov declared on 27 January 1948: sponsore of their wages for the "Greek Aid Fund", while Zagreb, several organizations indicated their wish to con­ "The Bulgarian people do not conceal their and a w tribute 10 per cent of their income for this pur­ stated tl friendly feelings wward the struggle of the HO I pose. Seven Bulgarian students from the SviIen­ collected Greek people and declare openly and clearly grad area testified before Observation Group 6 "~{aeed that they do extend help to the victims of that once a month they had been compelled to monarcho-fascism who take refuge in Bul­ 23 Janm subscribe 20 levas for coupons inscribed "for another: garia ..."'" .141 the aid of the Greek Democratic People" A were als( Sofia broadcast on 20 January 1948 asserted vema ar At the second Congress of the Fatherland Front that the Bulgarian Red Cross had donated some announCt on 5 February 1948, at which a representative 4,000,000 levas worth of medical and other slav W<. of Markos took the iloor, the "right and duty equipment.":> The Sofia radio announced on offered a of democratic peoples to give to the Greek 10 February 1948 that a special stamp had been

people every possible moral and material sup­ issued at Plovdiv "for the aid of the Greek HO See e port" was stressed.'"' Similar sentiments were ex­ refugees".'" Witnesses before Observation Groups C and E: pressed en 1 Ivfarch 194,8 at the Bulgarian Trade 4 and 6 declared that a campaign to aid Markos A/AC.16/, OG.3/5, : Union Conference v,:hen the necessity for moral was organized throughout Bulgaria, a tax being annex A, levied on the purchase of certain commodities D and E; 133 See especially A/AC.16/113, pages 7 to 11; also by means of coupons or stamps, and that money, SC.l/OG. Tanyug (Yugoslav Press Service) 27 December 1947, annex B, Broadcast in English morse to Europe and the Balkans. food and other items were being sent to help clusions of 134 A/AC.16/113, page 10. A former deputy of the the Greek guerrilla movement.H·' For fur Bulgarian Agrarian Party testified before Observation in produci Group 4 in May 1948: "On one occasion the Theatre 131 For a Lasting Peace, for a People's Democracy, Bel­ 180 to 18 of Art in Sofia was used for a large meeting in aid of grade, 15 April 1948, page 1. HO See the guerrillas. The meeting was addressed by Ratso An­ 1as A/AC.16/203, ar.nex (GLS). B, D and gelo (a former minister) and a Greek representative of 13'A/AC.16/SR.49, Part I, page 1; A/AC.16/SC.2/­ 147 See the guerrillas. This was given great publicity in the 11; AlAC.16/168 (GLS). firmation newspapers. (A/AC.16/SC.1/0G.4/7, annex A, page 3). HO A/AC.16/113, page 10 (GLS). leaflets reI 130 A/AC.16/113, page 11 (GLS). In addition, on 141 A/AC.16/SC.1/0G.6/1, annex B; A/AC.16/SC.1/­ found on . 7 May 1948, Mr. Kolarov, on the occasion of presenting OG.6/3, annex C; A/AC.l6/SC.l/OG.6/5, annex E; One leaf! the Bulgari

as was 109. Numerous reports from Observation ior the relief of wounded "from the Greek Groups 3, 4 and 6 between February and May liberation struggle". By ~.farch 1948 it appeared 1948 contained evidence th~t supplies of food that the value of the material collected had rational and other items were reaching the guerrillas totalled approximately 150,000 U. S. dollars. )riginal throuah Bulgaria.'ID For instance, many wit­ 111. It may be noted that, while the cam­ Greek nesses':> gave such testimony before Observation ~d paign in Yugoslavia continued, Observation that Group 4 in April 1948 to the effect that there Groups 2 and 3 forwarded six reports contain­ tory of was a continuous flow of supplies coming to ing evidence that supplies of clothing and food, n their Greece and that Bulgarian officials supported D among other materials, were reaching the guer­ estab­ the collection of aid to the Greek guerrillas." rilla forces in Greece from Yugoslavia.'" :::laIling On another occasion, six witnesses gave similar "moral testimony before Observation Group 6 in :May Greek 1948.'17 (c) Albanic '.opul~r Isen m 112. The Albanian National Committee for ~ople." (b) Yugoslavia Aid to the Greek Democratic People was not formed until late February 1948. However, on plc, in 110. The campaign in Yugoslavia for the forget 16 December 1947, some days before the actual establishment of committees for aid to the announcement of the guerrilla "government", ced of "Greek Democratic People" was led by the Premier Enver Hoxha had declared: 101 archo­ United Trade Union, with the active assistance coun­ of the People's Youth Organization, and the "Our peoples ... wholeheartedly sympathize d "be Anti-Fascist Women's Front. The first of these with the struggle of the heroic Greek people. committees was organized in Belgrade on 10 We extend to them all our moral and political January 1948 with officers who, almost without support because they are in every way worthy stance exception, belonged to the above-mentioned of it and because we are in favour of the libera­ ntries, organizations.''' A network of committees was tion of tbe Greek people and the establishment wages, soon organized and collections of money, medical of peace and democracy in the Balkans and in sand Europe." which supplies, clothing, footwear and other materiais were undertaken all over Yugoslavia."o Establish­ illas.'" 113. The first meeting of the Albanian ment of a Croatian Committee of Assistance, ortion National Committee was hcld on 28 February sponsored by the Federation of Trade Unions in while 1948 in Tirana on the initiative of the Demo­ ) con­ Zagreb, was announced on 22 January 1948, cratic Front, the Trade Union General Council and a week later the "Free Greece" radio itself s pur­ and other organizations. Comrade Petrov Paci, vHen­ stated that 300,000 di:w.rs had already been Vice-President of the Albanian General Trade collected in certain districts of Croatia. A )Up 6 Union Council, addressing the meeting, spoke of ":Macedonian Committee" was organized on led to the support which was being given to "the Greek 23 January 1948, followed by the formation of "for Democratic People" in the way of clothing, another at Novi Sad. Subsequf.ntly, committees '.141 A foodstuffs anrl. other materials, and declared: ", ;erted were also formed in Bosnia, Herzegovina, Slo­ some venia and Montenegro. The Belgrade radio ". .. We will take part in a campaign among 28 other announced on January 1948 that the Yugo­ all the peoples of the world with a view to slav War Invalids Central Committee had d on reinforcing and consolidating the international been offered a large amount of clothing and footv/ear position of the Provisional Democratic Free }reek Government of Greece under the presidency of '" Sec especially A/AC.16/SC.l/OG.4/1, annexes A, General Markos, inasmuch as it is the only roups C and E; A/AC.I6/SC.l/OG.4/3, annexes A and C; arkos A/AC.16/SC.l/OG.4/4 S-I, page 4; A/AC.16/SC.l/­ government representative of the will of the being OG.3/5, annexes 9 and 11; A/AC.16/SC.l/OG.3/6, Greek people with which it is necessary that we annex A, page 6; A/AC.l6/SC.l/0G.6/1, annexes A, B, establish diplomatic relations." dities D and E; A/AC.16/SC.l/OG.6/3, annex C; A/AC.16/­ oney, SC.l/OG.6/6, page 2, annex 6; A/AC.16/SC.l/OG.6/6, Soon after, it was announeed by the Tirana annex B, pages 3 to 5. See also summaries and con­ help clusions of these reports. radio that aid comrn:'ttccs had been organized in For further evidence of the effect of this campaign all parts of Albania and that collections were in producing assistance for the guerrillas, see paragraphs going forward systematically.'D3 Indeed a Tirana " Bel- 180 to 184. "'·See A/AC.16/SC.l/OG.4/5, page 5 and annexes broadcast declared on 3 January 1948: B, D and G. :C.2/- '17 See A/AC.16/SC.l/OG.6/8, annex A. Further con­ lOO A/AC.16/SC.l/OG.2/1, annex A, page 2; A/AC.­ firmation of the effect of this campaign appeared in 16/SC.l/OG.2/3, annex A; A/AC.16/SC.~/OG.3/3 leaflets reported by Observation Group 3 to have been and annexes Band F; A/AC.16/SC.1/0G.3/4, annexes :C.1/­ found on a dead guerrill~ near Kilkis on 6 March 1948. A, C, D and F; A/AC.16/SC.l/OG.3/5, annex 1; A/AC.­ :x E; One leaflet stated that "all the democratic peoples of 16/SC.l/0G.3/6, annex A, page :!. See also A/AC.16/­ Europe and of the whole world" T supporting the SC.l/OG.2/3, Concl; A/A' 16/8C.l/0G.2/1, Concl; guerrilla muvernent

tion groups investigated the problem and ( 1) A census of children has been taken by IS as to gathered a large amount of evidence regarding the guerrillas in certain areas of Greece under of the it."· The resulting data, together with informa­ guerrilla control. The evidence is that this cen­ tion supplied by the Greek Liaison Service and sus is in connexion with the removal of children. the Special Committee monitor reports on radio at the broadcasts from Albania, Bulgaria and Yugo­ (2) A large number of children has been re­ located slavia, provided.. the Special Committee with a moved from certain areas of northern Greece nity of considerable body of evidence in support of the under guerrilla control to Albania, Bulgaria and charges. Observers' interviews with parents and Yugoslavia and, according to radio reports from other witnesses generally confirmed what re­ Belgrade and Sofia, to certain other countries to :ncour­ the north. However, the Special Committee has 1St the peated radio broadcasts from Albania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia and the "Free Greece" radio not been able to verify, by means available to it, Greek the precise number of children involved. tituted station had already asserted: that Greek children had been taken into Albania, Bulgaria, Yugo­ (3) While a number of parents have agreed '6o slavia, Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Poland under duress to the removal of their children, above­ 10 in Malch and April of 1948. ' A broadcast by and some children have in fact been forcibly re­ :rritory the "Free Greece" radio on 14 March 1948 re­ moved, other parents have consented, or at least rms of ported that 4,,400 Greek children had been failed to object, to such removal. It has not been of the transferred from 59 villages in Greece to the possible for the Special Committee to determine which northern countries.'" the exact number of children removed under )slavia these categories. :I and On 9 April 1948, Belgrade radio said that 7,000 Greek children had arrived in that city, (4) The number of cases reported points to and on 12 April 1948 it broadcast that 12,000 the existence of a programme to remove children ties of Greek children were expected to be divi.ded from areas of Greece under guerrilla control to Yugo­ among Albania, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia and certain countries to the north. to the Hungary.m ns be- Red Cross organizations in some of the north- (5) Although the responsibility for the initia­ ern countries had appealed for funds to care for tion of the plan is not known to the Special the Greek children, and these countries had Committee, it follows from the appearance of ~K widely publicized steps taken to provide housing, Greek children on a large scale in the countries schooling and recreation. to the north and the numerous announcements of the radios controlled by these Governments icated 119. On 19 April 1948, the Special Commit­ that the programme is being carried out with :ehad tee sent a questionnaire to the Greek liaison rep­ the approval and assistance of these Govern­ ment, resentative to obtain information as to the num­ ments. , that ber and care of Greek children who were being ed by evacuated by the Greek Government from the 121. On the basis of those facts the Special )ania, northern regions of Greece. The latter replied Committee concluded: other on 22 April 1948, that 5,500 children between the ages of three and fourteen had been removed ( 1) In the considered opinion of the Special ed in Committee, the reception and retention of Greek lUS of from the General Administration of Macedonia, about 2,150 being placed in various centres in children removed by the guerrillas to Albania, : ages Bulgaria and Yugoslavia, without their parents' I that Salonika. About 5,000 had heen gathered from Thrace, some 2,300 of whom had been trans­ free consent, rcises the issue of the inherent rights posed of parents. The protracted retention of these iavia, ported through Alexandrcupolis to the interior of Greece. The work was beinll carried on under children would be contrary to the accepted 1,000; moral standards of international conduct. ),000. the Ministry of Social Relief. The upkeep of )ecial each child was estimated to cost the Government (2) The plan raises the issue of the also about 10,000 drachmae per day.'" sovereignty of Greece over her citizens and con­ ons. 16:! 120. After a careful study of the problem stitutes a serious obstacle to the rc-establishment :ireek based on all its information the Special Com­ of good neighbourly relations between Greece "the mittee established the following facts: 111 and her northern neighbours. lan a :rime lOG See Report on Removal at Greek children to AL­ (3) If conditions in areas in which guerrillas bania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia and other Northern operate appeared to justify the removal of chil­ Countries (based on observation group reports, Greek Liaison Service docum-ents and radio monitor reports of dren on humanitarian grounds and the Greek took the Special Committee) A/AC.16/251/Rev.l for a Government were unable to effect their removal, :d its guide to this material. Observation group reports received the Greek Government should be requested to after the date of this report furnished additional informa­ xam- tion. See A/AC.16/0G.1/10, I\/AC.16/0G.2/9, A/AC.­ inform the Special Committee accordingly. In erva- 16/0G.3/6 and 7, A/AC.16/0G.6/7 and 8 and subse­ the light of this and other information which quent reports. may be in the possession of the Special Commit­ 166 See denial of Polish Government, paragraph 123. Id see 161 A/AC.16/251, pages 2 and 3 and sources therein tee, consideration could then be given to the J.16/- cited. removal of such children through the inter­ sts of 108 A/AC.l6/174. mediary of an appropriate international organi­ , Ser- -,~'j 160 A/AC.l6/Mon. 19 and 20. , and :~ 170 A/AC.16/234 and annexes. zation. This, or another suitable organization, ,1 171 48. .~ A/AC.16/251/Rev.l, pages 1 to 8; also see espe­ might also be asked to accept responsibility for cially A/AC.16/SR.74, pages 1 to 6; A/AC.16/SR./8, 3 page 4; A/AC.16/SC.1/Min.42/PV.42; A/AC.16/SC.­ the care and eventual repatriation of children ISC.- 2/Min.26/PV.26. who have already been removed. The Special -,~<'f. -"'~."' j'fiiii~ -~ ~.d 'i!!,Ui!!. ltliI!lliI:Iii!!. .. - ''''')C-'''''.•'''.!!>.C!ili;(w"".,...]_.,...... --,...... i""t_...... ;'io!O...... ·...·@i!!'...tW...l"! .iiii_Wiii5if....f'5_•• _"'--:§."'"_.f_ii!!...... __-_"§..'i@j· -""."".J !ii!iLRRWFO!i!.!!!i!!!I!.....!EFF....!!!i!:__·.ii!!.l!!IatPliIii!.•il!iftt!!;;iitt...... __...... : ..._gIijI_...... __.... I1 T

\:"'\ Committee would be prepared to co-operatc alleging violations of the frontier by Albania, attentic w~th any such organization which might be Bulgaria and Yugoslavia.m The main charge, neighbl r.greed upon for this purpose. however, made by the Greek liaison representa­ betwee tive was that Albania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia Under 122. Consequently, the Special Committee were continuing, and indeed increasing, their by the decided: systematic aid to Greek guerrillas. It was re­ the no ( 1) That a communication, together with a peatedly alleged that Greek guerrillas were free Special copy of this report, be sent to the Greek Gov­ to cross the frontier into and from Albania, Bul­ co-ope ernment, suggesting, if it has not already done garia and Yugoslavia, were receiving constant fulfil it so, that it should take up the question directly supplies of arms and ammunition from those anyap with the Governments concerned in this mattcr countries, were given military training in them, quently and inform the Special Committee subsequently and, when \\l0llllded, were given hospital treat­ graphs of the results of such action. ment in them, and returned, when possible, to co-oper the guerrilla forces in Greece.m Greece' (2) That this report be transmitted dircctly as that to the Governments of Albania, Bulgaria and conside Yugoslavia, and to urge these Governments to 2. CHARGES BY ALBANIA, BULGARIA AND YUGO­ SLAVIA AGAINST GREECE ment. I discourage any further removal of children from ian, B Greek territory and to arrange for the prompt 125. Although the Albanian Government re­ further return to Greece of these children. fused to co-operate in any way with the Special general Committee, it presented to the Secretary-General (3) That the Secretary-General of the United norther Nations be requested to transmit copies of this of the United Nations, between the beginning to the of January and the middle of April 1948, over report to the other countries of eastern Europe tion on a hundred complaints of frontier violations by where the reception of Greek children within Greece. The complaints concerned some seventy After their territories has been reported and to request mittee', those Governments for an early statement of alleged aircraft flights over Albania, or the firing of shots or shells by the Greek Army on to Bulgari their plans for the return to Greece of these the exa children. Albanian territory, and similar frontier viola­ tions.''' Reference has already been made to the Special 123. On 2 June 1948, the Greek Govern­ refusal of the Albanian Government to assist 4 June ment informed the Special Committee that it the Special Committee in the examination of resoluti Minister~ had telegraphed the Foreign of Bul­ these complaints and to the communication from aWh garia, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland and the Special Committee to the Albanian Govern­ have as Yugoslavia requesting them to furnish the facili­ ment in which the Special Committee stated that tee, blr ties necessary for the repatriation to Greece of consequently it was forced to question whether of Alb all children who had been or might in the future the complaints of the Albanian Government had m the Set be removed by the guerrillas and transported indeed any basis in fact. inciden abroad. It added that, as soon as those Govern­ it ments had given their consent, the Greek Gov­ 126. The Bulgarian Government, although aTh_ also refused to co-operate in any way with the ernment was ready to negotiate directly the as defi details of the repatriation. A similar telegram Special Committee, submitted to the Secretary­ General of the United Nations some charges of the was sent, through the Secretary-General of the and in United Nations, to the Albanian Government.m alleging frontier violations by the Greek forces. Most of these charges concerned alleged firing of ments c In its reply of 9 June 1948 the Government of gate all Poland denied that any Greek children were in shots or shells onto Bulgarian territory or the flight of unknown aircraft over Bulgaria, but frontier Poland, but said that it considered that Greek m children who might be forced to abandon their one concerned the Evros incident. The Bul­ homes had the right of shelter.173 The Govern­ garian Government did not reply to the requests 'ment of Hungary acknowledged receiving Greek of the Special Committee for assistance in the "(a) examination of the complaints of the Bulgarian \~ children on humanitarian grounds, stating that 1SO tions they had lost their parents as a result of military Government. munica operations in Greece and had not been torn from 127. The Yugoslav Government sent no com­ Genera munications either to the Special Committee or their families. It considered direct contact with of the t the Greek Government inexpedient since diplo­ to the Secretary-General on matters relating to matic relations between the two Governments the Greek-Yugoslav frontier.'8' "(b) did not exist. m 128. The Special Committee's original in­ the ap. structions to its observation groups directed their gation. B. Situation on the northern frontiers of 17G Sce especially A/AC.16/91 and A/AC.16/236, pages "(c) Greece (See map, annex 5) 17 to 21 and addenda. such c 176 Sce especially A/AC.16/16, A/f.C.16/205, A/AC. 1. GREEK CHARGES AGAINST ALBANIA) BUL­ 16/262, AIAC.16/278. proced GARIA AND YUGOSLAVIA 177 A/AC.16/81, A/AC.16/82, A/AC.16/111, A/AC. alleged 16/112, A/AC.16/119, A/AC.16/132, A/AC.16/136, Greek 124. The Greek liaison representative sub­ A/AC.J6/154, A/AC.16/163, A/AC.16/170, A/AC.16/­ mitted to the Special Committee many com­ 171, A/AC.16/172, A/AC.16jI84 and A/AC.16/230. 178 Sce paragraphs 48 to 52. 182 Para munications, often supported by depositions, 170 A/AC.16/9, A/AC.16/36, A/AC.16/152, A/AC.­ '53 AlA 16/214/Rev.l and A/AC.16/258. Sce also paragraphs 43 18·' A/A m A/AC.16/280. to 46 and paragraphs 166 to 170. lnstrllcti 173 A/AC.16/296. 180 Sec paragraphs 41 and 47. graph 16 17-1 A/AC.16/287. 181 Sce paragraph 52. -'~"""7 II.liII1liil1iiilli/ii1_iiii&·~""jii;"·:&f:',,.· .. ' •••• "",",,0" 21

I Albania, attention to exammmg to what extent good 3. OBSERVATION BY THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE charge, neighbourly relations existed on the frontier OF THE SITUATION ON THE NORTHERN FRON­ prcsenta­ " between Greece and her northern neighbours. TIERS OF GREECE Jgoslavia Under these instructions very few complaints by the Greek Government of provocations by 129. By the end of May 1948 the Special 19, their Committee had been able to establish only five was re­ the northern neighbours were examined. The Special Committee was intent on obtaining the observation groups along the northern frontiers Ncre free of Greece.'so Group 1 at Ioannina was exclusively .nia, Bul­ co-operation of all four Governments in order to fulfil its concil:atory role and wished to avoid occupied with the situation on the Albanian­ constant Greek frontier. Groups 2 and 3 at Florina and ,m those any appearance of ex parte examinations. Conse­ quently, the efforts mentioned in part A, para­ Kilkis observed conditions on the Greek-Yugo­ in thcm, slav frontier and Groups 4 and 6 at Kavalla and tal trcat­ graphs 41, 47, 49 and 52 were made to obtain ~o-oper

106 See especially A/AC.16/SC.l/OG.2/2, page 3; while Group 3 had its headquarters at Kilkis. AjAC.16/0G.2/3 Cone!.; A/AC.16/0G.2/4, Cone!.; A/AC.16/0G.l/8, annex F; AjAC.16/0G.2/10 and 2.2 See paragraph 133. 2•• A/AC.16/SC.l/OG.1j8/Concl.; A/AC.16/0G.l/­ so A/AC.- Conel. and A/AC.16/0G.2/11. 101 AjAC.16/71, annex A. 1O/S-1 Cone!. 10. See especially A/AC.16/SC.l/OG.2/10/Concl. and 2., A/AC.16/SC.l/OG.1j10, page 3 and Concl. A/AC.16/0G.l/J.1, S-l/Concl. 206 AlAC.16/SC.l/OG.l/ll (1/W/47) and AlAC.16/­ '00 See especially A/AC.16/SC.l/OG.l/10, Sol/Cone!. OG.1/10 (l/W/21). A/AC.16/- '.0 A/AC.16/71 and annexes A and B. 200 AlAC.16/SC.l/OG.l/ll S-l (l/W/37). 201 A/AC.l6jSC.l/OG.1/l/Concl. 2.7 A/AC.16/SC.l/OG.l/ll Cone!. 24

148. No evidence of good neighbourly rela­ The report by a witness that on 24 May he transp tions between Greece and Yugoslavia or of saw a column of fifty guerrillas and ten mules and fl useful contact between Greek and Yugoslav enter Greece from Yugoslavia, was supported frontier guards was ever discovered,"" and by the group's observation on the following day, 158 several attempts of Group :i to make contact of foot and mule track traces at the alleged point that a with the Yugoslav frontier guards, with a view of crossing.'" Similar evidence and a similar recept to investigating frontier conditions, were un­ direct observation regarding guerrilla movements Speci successful because of the unwillingness of the from Greece into Yugoslavia and back on 13 vestig: Yugoslav guards to establish such contact.'oo May were reported by Observation Group 2:'· was s ever, 149. There was no evidence of violation of (iii) Firing from Yugoslav territory into Greece time i the frontier by the Greek National Army Forces, from but considerable evidence, direct and indirect, 152. The Special Committee obtained con­ Yugo. of nor-compliance by Yugoslavia with the Gen­ clusive proof by direct observation of Group 3 slav f eral .l.1ssembly's injunction to do nothing which that machine guns had been fired from Yugo­ tier f could furnish aid to Greek guerrillas. slav territory into Greece. grou~ This non-compliance took the following 153. On 1 March 1948, Observation Group guern forms: 3, from a distance of 2000 metres, observed a porta heavy machine-gun firing across the frontier into taken (ii) Crossing of the frontier by Greek guerrillas Greece. The machine-gun emplacement was 1948: from Greece to Yugoslavia and from Yugo­ about 30 metres inside Yugoslav territory. The 15. slavia to Greece machine-gun fired about five hours during day­ was a light. The observers determined the position of 150. The Special Committee considered the said the gun beyond doubt, as their position was such given testimony of many witnesses interrogated by its that the imaginary line connecting it with that observation groups which indicated that Greek were of the machine-gun made an angle of no more the guerrillas, either separately or in groups, were than 30 degrees with the frontier line, which is free to cross the frontier in both directions and event marked in this area by white-washed pyramids rilla that crossings had often been made with the 1.60 metres high. An occupied Yugoslav frontier: knowledge of Yugoslav frontier guards."o ploye post was located approximately 700 metres from subse 151. The large amount of indirect evidence the obsened gun position."· Gred in this matter was supported by direct observa­ occur tion of Group 3 on the following occasions: 154. ')n 23 March 1948, Observation Group 3, accompanying Greek National Army Forces, assist, On 11 February 1948, the group observed came under machine-gun fire from a prepared 16( eight guerrillas crossing from Yugoslavia into position beside a manned Yugoslav frontier post. were Greece. The crossing was made in sight of two The machine-gun was located approximately from Yugoslav sentries who were only about 300 100 metres from the frontier within Yugoslavia yards away from the point where the guerrillCls and Group 3 first received the fire when approxi­ crossed:" mately 300 metre~ inside Greek territory.m On 19 February 1948, the group observed (i) ( two armed guerrillas crossing the frontier from (iv) Medical assistance to wounded Greek guer­ Greece into Yugoslavia at a point 500 metres rillas in Yugoslavia and their return to guer­ 16 distant from an occupied Yugoslav frontier post. rilla units in Greece Gree< west-, The guerrillas were subsequently observed 155. Testimony of many witnesses interro­ tanc several times entering and leaving one of the gated by the observation groups indicated that buildings of this frontier post and conducting Mou it was common practice for wounded Greek try themselves in general as though they were·exer­ guerrillas to be hospitalized in Yugoslavia."· cising normal privileges. This observation was natu made from a distance of about 350 metres.''' 156. Seven witnesses testified that, after less I' having been treated in hospitals in Yugoslavia, On 1 March 1948, during daylight, the ob­ 16 servers, from a distance of about 3,000 metres, they returned to Greece to rejoin the guerrilla the forces."o Two of these witnesses stated that they saw three armed guerrillas cross the frontier from betw had returned with groups of guerrillas who had Greece into Yugoslavia. The observers had kept also received hospital treatment, ten in one these men under observation over a distance of group, eighty in another. one kilometre prior to their crossing the fron- +: 213 uer. (v) Logistical support to Greek guerrillas 208 See paragraph 85. 157. The Special Committee considered testi­ 200 AIAC.16/SC.l/OG.2/6/Concl. and AIAC.1610G. 3/3/Concl. mony of wit!1esses interrogated by the observa­ 2'0 See especially AIAC.16/SC.I/OG.2/1/Concl.; AI­ tion groups which indicated the provision of AC.1610G.2/3/Concl.; AIAC.16/0G.2/6/Concl.; AI­ AC.1610G.2/8/Concl.; AIAC.1610G.2/10 and Concl.; 214 AIAC.J 6/SC.l/OG.3/8. AIAC.1610G.3/l/Concl.; AIAC.1610G.3/2/Concl.; AI­ 21. AIAC.15/SC.ljOG.2/1O/Conel. AC.16/0G.3/4/Concl.; AIAC.16/0G.3/5/Concl.; AI­ "0 AIAC.16/SC.ljOG.3/4/S-l/Concl. AC.1610G.3/6/Conel.; AIAC.1610G.3/8/ConcI.; AI­ 217 AIAC.16/SC.l/OG.3/5jConcl. AC.1610G.3/7 and Concl. 21. See especially AIAC.16/SC.l/OG.3/4/Conel. 211 AIAC.16/SC.l/OG.3jl/Concl. 210 See especially AIAC.16/SC.I/OG.2/l/Concl.; AI­ 212 AIAC.16/SC.l/OG.3/2jConcl. AC.16/0G.2/2/Concl.; AIAC.16/0G.3/7/Cond. and AlA 21S AIAC.16/SC.l/OG.3/4jS-l/Concl. AlAC.16jOG.2/9. Conel 24 May he transport for guerrillas in their movements to frontier guards from the frontier regions ..'" S?me :1 ten mules and from Greece.'"'o frontier posts have, however, been mamtam~d s supported along the Bulgarian border and there are stlll lowing day, 158. The Commission of Investigation found frequent contacts between Bulgarian and Greek 1leged point that a camp was in operation at Bulkes for the frontier officials. While the frontier relations 1 a similar reception and shelter of G~eek ref~~ees. ~he cannot be regarded as normal, there have been movements Special Committee was not m a POSltIO~ to m­ several instances of partial compliance with the Jack on 13 vestigatc on the spot to what ext:nt thIS camp procedures laid down by the 1931 frontier regu­ ~roup 2: 13 was still in operation. Several wItnesses, how­ lations between Bulgaria and Greece."o Between ever, stated that they had spent a considerable December 1947 and May 1948, there appear into Gteece time in Bulkes camp and had been transported to have been at least eight meetings between from that camp, by means arranged through the ~fficials ~ith. :aincd con­ Bulgarian and Greek frontier th.e Yuuoslav authorities, either to the Greek-Yugo­ object of discussing and regulatmg frontler mCl­ )f Group 3 sla~ frontier, or to the Albanian-Yugoslav fron­ rom Yugo- dents. Although the regulations require protocols tier for further transportation to Greece. Large of each frontier meeting to be signed, this groups of men were said to have joined the appears to have been done for one meeting tion Group guerrillas in Greece in this manner..The trans­ only.,",7 observed a portation from Bulkes camp was sald to have rontier into taken place between October 1947 and February 164. Another result of the widespread guer­ rilla activity in Eastern Macedonia and Western ~ment was 1948.''' ritory. The Thrace has been that the observation groups in 159. Several witnesses also stated that there the area have found it difficult to gain access to luring day­ was a camp for Greek refugees in Skoplje. They position of the frontier. Their opportunities for studying said that, in this camp, Greek refugees were frontier conditions have consequently been lim­ n was such criven shelter and that considerable nu;mbers : with that ~vere ited. They did have five meetings with Bulgarian transported from there either directly to frontier guards during which the personal rela­ )f no more the Greek-YuO"oslav frontier, or to Albania for e, which is tions between observers and guards were eventual crossing into Greece, to join the guer­ friendly. Except, however, for the Evros inci­ I pyramids rilla forces.'''' In some cases the men were em­ av frontier: dent,'" the Bulgarian officials stated that they ployed on civilian work in Yugoslavia but were had ·no authority to discuss frontier relations. letres from subsequently recruited i~3 that country for ~he Greek guerrilla forces:" The transportatIOn :ion Group occurred subsequent to October 1947 with the (ii) Frontier incidents not involving Greek ny Forces, assistance of the Yugoslav authorities. guerrilla activity t prepared 160. Witnesses also testified that the guerrillas 165. The reports of the observation groups mtier post. were being supplied with arms and ammunition have revealed a continuing state of friction with roximately from Yugoslav sources.""4 recurrent skirmishes and exchanges of shots ~ugoslavia 220 along the Bulgarian-Greek frontier. n approxi- )ry. ::'17 (c) The Bulgarian-Greek frantiet 166. One of these skirmishes, with more (i) General frontier situation serious implications, took place on 4 April 1948, !reek guer­ on an island in the Evros River where the bound­ n to guer- 161. The frontier between Bulgaria and ary line is in dispute. The Bulgarian Govern­ Greece extends for about 400 km. in a general ment alleged that a Bulgarian patrol of three west-east direction. For about half of this dis­ soldiers while on Bulgarian territory, had been :s interro­ , ~ tance from the Belles range to the Rhodope fired on and abducted by Greek troops. :ated that Mountains the frontier is in mountainous coun­ led Greek 167. Greek officials gave two inconsistent .. 218 try and for the most part is formed by the aVla. natural watershed. The frontier terrain becomes versions of the incident, which, however, agreed in alleging that the Bulgarian soldiers were near tat, after less rugged towards the east. or on Greek territory, that they started the firing ugoslavia, 162. The width of eastern Greece between and were last seen rowing back to the Bulgarian : guerrilla the Bulgarian frontier and the Aegean, varies side of the river. that they between about 30 and 100 km. Guerrilla bands who had move fairly freely in the area. Apart from raids 168. Directed by the Special Committee to 1 in one on villages, their activities consist mainly of give top priority to the incident because of the serious view taken of it by both Governments, sabotage, such as the mining of roads and rail­ 231 roads. Observation Group 6 was able to secure the Was 163. This guerrilla activity has compelled the m The Greek Government have attributed this with­ ered testi­ drawal to systematic guerrilla attacks and the generally Greek authorities to withdraw most of their hostile attitude manifested by the forces of the northern : observa­ neighbours of Greece (A/AC.16/16, see also A/AC. lvision of 220 See especially A/AC.16/SC.l/OG.3/2/Concl. 16/264). "" A/AC.16/SC.1/0G.l/3; A/AC.16/0G.2/5/Conc!.; 220 See paragraphs 82 and 83. A/AC.16/0G.2/6/Cond.; A/AC.16/0G.2/8/Conc!.; 227 In connexion with the Evros incident. A/AC.16/0G.2/10; A/AC.16/0G.2/11. 228 See paragraphs 166 to 170. 222 A/AC.16/SC.1/0G.2/5/Concl. and A/AC.16/0G. '" See especially A/AC.16/SC.1/0GA/2/Concl.; A/­ 1/8. AC.16/0G.6/5 and A/AC.16/0G.6/6/Concl. mcl. '23 A/AC.16/SC.1/0G.3/4 and A/AC.16/0G.l/8. '30 A/AC.16/2l4/Rev.1. loncl.; A/­ '" A/AC.16/SC.l/OG.2/1; A/AC.16/0G.3/3/Concl.; 231 See A/AC.16/SC.l/OG.6/6/S-1 and A/AC.16/­ ond. and A/AC.16/0G.3/4/Concl.; A/AC.16/0G.3/6 and OG.6/7/S-1 for reports of Observation Group 6 on the Conc!.; A/AC.16/0G.3/7/Concl. Evros incident. • 'h...,~.,.. '.'L,- "J=.::O:'".=.==.;::=•.=::=±c:::,•••••::=::.::=c'~~=.::== ·=,:::··c·'==Z6·==·::::=-='-.·":::'cc,,~::.=-=:= ..=. '.'.' ...:=-==:=::::: ..=..... ~ .__n_..::-:::--: ':{j &11 collaboration of both Bulgarian and Greek offi- Group 3 corroborated much evidence of a simi- pr cials in an examination on the island which is in lar nature already collected, concluded that I repo~ted tha~ "Gre~k ~reque~.~y dispute.::'" It the bodies of two of .guerrillas cross the Greek I' the three Bulganan soldIers had subsequently frontler mto Bulgana .... I been recovered from the river, left the causa ) mortis open'" and concluded that the Bulgarian 173. In mid-April 1948, Observation Group I version of the incident was far more probable 4 witnessed military operations against the guer- i than the Greek:" rillas near Papadhes. On the basis of the group's . observation of guerrilla movement during this 169. As a result of its examination the group action, of their deductions from the circum­ recommended that: stances of the operations and the terrain where (a) Officers in command of frontier areas the operations took place, and of their examina­ should be thoroughly briefed on the exact loca­ tion of witnesses, the Special Committee ac­ tion of the frontier; cepted the: conclusion of the report that guerrilla forces were able to move "freely through Bul­ (b) Frequ~nt transfers of such officers should garian territory":'0 be avoided; 174. During the same operations the group (c) Every encouragement should be given to observed a column of approximat ~ly seventy-five meetings between Bulgarian and Greek frontier unidentified men crossing the frontier from Bul­ officials and requests for meetings should be garia into Greece:'" accepted and protocols signed for all incidents made the subject of such meetings.'"' 175. On 15 May 1948, the Bulgarian Gov­ ernment complained to the Secretary-General These recommendations were communicated that on 13 May 1948 Greek aircraft had "flown to the Greek liaison representative. In reply the over and bombed targets ,vithin Bulgaria and latter pointed to the difficulties caused by the that a Greek company had advanced towards guerrilla situation in the maintenance of fron­ Tir Koulata and wounded a Bulgarian soldier"."':: tier post garrisons, but informed the Special These charges appear to be linked to the obser­ Committee that appropriate instructions in vations by Group 4 of operations by the Greek accordance with recommendations (a ) and Army against guerrillas near Koula on 13 May (b) had been given.'"o 1948, as a result of which the Special Committee concluded that: 170. With regard to the island in dispute, steps have been taken by the Special Committee (a) Two guerrillas crossed from Greece into to verify the facts in order to clear the way for a Bulgaria in the immedicf:e vicinity of the Bul­ settlement of this particular boundary dispute garian frontier troops without any interference between Bulgaria and Greece.'3' from them; (b) No Greek troops moved into Bulgarian (ill) Frontier incidents connected with Greek territory in the immediate vicinity of the guerrilla activity observers, but during the firefight in the evening 171. The Special Committee has received, in some Greek rounds may have fallen into Bul­ reports from the groups, more than fifty different gana. references by witnesses to Greek gue:;,illas cross­ The Special Committee also found that there ing into and out of Bulgaria. At times the guer­ was a "very strong presumption, based on the rillas were said to have used Bulgarian territory tactical situation, that Greek guerrillas sheltered for purposes of transit, particularly in marches in Bulgaria during the operation, thereby gain­ from the Evros area to the region north of ing considerable tactical advantage against the Xanthi. At other times they retreated across the Greek Army".2" border when pressed by the Greek Army. The crossings were said to have frequently been made 176. The group was instructed to make a with the knowledge of the Bulgarian frontier further examination of the Bulgarian complaints. authorities who gave the guerrillas supplies of Their consequent report confirmed conclusion food. References were made to two separate (b) in the preceding paragraph. As to the crossings into Bulgaria (in April 1948 near alleged air violations, no conclusions could be Koula) by large groups of guerrillas.''' reached from the report of its investigations by Group .. 4 2'" 172. On 8 June 1948, the Special Committee, considering that the testimonies of the witnesses 177. Between 25 and 28 Ma:. 1948, Group 4 contained in the eighth report of Observation observed operations by the Greek Army against guerrillas north-east of Komotini. One member 232 See paragraphs 43 to 46. of the"group was present on 27 May 1948 when 23' The Bulgarian authorities had alleged that a post shots were exchanged between the Greek Army mortem of one of the recovered bodies showed evidence of strangling before drowning. 234 A/AC.16/SC.l/OG.6/7/S-l/Cone!. 230 A/AC.16/SC.l/OG.3/8/Cone!. 235 A/AC.16/SC.l/OG.6/7/S-1, page 4. 240 A/AC.16/SC.l/OG.4/4 S-l Cone!. and A/AC.16/- 236 A/AC.16/264. SR.75, page 4. 231 A/AC.16/274 and 286. 241 A/AC.16/SC.l/OG.4/4 S-l Cone!. '". See A/AC.16/SC.l/OG.6/1, 3, 5, 7 and Cond.; 242 A/AC.16/258. AlAC.16/0G.4/2, 3, 4 and Cone!.; A/AC.16/0G.3/5, 24. A/AC.16/SC.l/OG.4/6 S-l Cone!. 7, 8 and Cond. 244 See A/AC.16/SC.l/OG.4/7 S-2 Cone!. :~r~~~'---·· ~~ :::001: . 27 concluded that : and the guerrillas, and from the terrain con­ (vi) Logistical SUppDrt to Greek guerrillas :ross the Greek i cluded that at the end of the battle the guerrillas 180. Much evidence was given of the receipt must have retreated into Bulgaria. On the other by the guerrillas of arms and a~rnmunition from I hand, the observers stated that the Greek Army servation Group : Bulgaria."· 19ainst the guer­ violated the Bulgarian frontier on 28 May 1948 ,is of the group's when they saw a platoon of Greek soldiers mov­ 181. As a result of the observation of Group lent during this ' ing large stocks of equipmeat from Bulgaria into 4 of guerrilla activity during operations by the )m the circum- Greece. This material had evidently been re­ Greek Army near Papadhes in mid-April 1948 le terrain where moved from Greece into sanctualy in Bulgarian and of their deductions from the circumstances ,f their examina- territory by the guerrillas:" One observer was of the military operations and the terrain, the Committee ac­ present on 28 May 1948 when telephone equip­ Special Committee concluded that guerrilla ort that guerrilla ment was recovered, the fact that the line crossed forces "were obtaining logistical support in the :ly through Bul- well over the frontier leading him to think it way of supplies and of weap0ns from Bul­ had been laid with the knowledge, if not with garia."'"' the active assistance of the Bulgarians.'" Ltions the group 182. The Special Committee took note of the it Jy seventy-five large number of artillery shells reported to have (iv) Reception and hospitalization of Greek ontier from Bul- been used by the guerrillas in Westf ., Thrace guerrillas in Bulgaria throughout the first half of 1948 ~ the in­ 178. Many witnesses tesjfied tl- t they had creasing use, by them, of both al' le -,;ounel Bulgarian Gov­ crossed into Bulgaria and were taken to camps and anti-vehicle mines.'"' ecretary-General or to first-aid centres and hospitals in Bulgaria. :raft had "flown 183. A special report of Group 4 covered There were numerous references to a camp for in Bulgaria and operations by the Greek Army against the guer­ guerrillas at Berkovitsa, one section of which lvanced towards rillas between 25 and 28 May 1948. This report was used as a hospital. Estimates of the numbers ~-arian soldier".'" contained no direct observation by the group of at this camp varied from 300 to 1,000, approxi­ :ed to the obser­ Bulgarian-Greek frontier relations. The Special mately 800 being the usual figure. "Political ns by the Greek Committee concluded that "the capture of lessons" were said to be given at Berkovitsa but )ula on 13 May guerrilla material adds another item to the mass there was po evidence that military ~raining was 'ecial Committee of evidence already collected on the same subject given. There were five references to a hospital according to which logistical support is fur­ for guerrillas at Haskovo and further references nished by Bulgaria on a big scale to the guer­ ~om to other camps and first-aid centres for guerrillas Greece into rillas. It is impossible to believe that such in Bulgaria.'" llity of the Bul­ quantities of stores for the use of the guerillas any interference originated south of the border."''''' (v) Return of Greek guerrillas to Greece after stay or hospitalization in Bulgaria 184. The Special Committee, after considera­ I into Bulgarian tion of a report by Observation Group 6 on vicinity of the 179. Many witnesses gave evidence that they guerrilla attacks in Western Thrace on ]5 and t in the evening had been transported in trucks as members of 28 May 1948 found that: fallen into Bul- g'~errilla groups from Berkovitsa to the Greek frontier late in 1947 and up to April 1948. On "No deE.nite conclusions can be drawn as to some of these occasions the trucks were said to the origin of armament from the evidence. The 'ound that there have been driven by Bulgarian soldiers and at quantity of mortar bombs and mines being used n, based on the other times by civilians. Other witnesses also by the guerrillas in this remote mountain zone, errillas sheltered testified that they had returned to Greece after a however, leads to a strong presumption that the n, thereby gain­ stay or hospitalization elsewhere in Bulgaria."8 source of origin lies outside Groece.,,25' :age against the ted to make a CHAPTER IV rian complaints. CONCLUSIONS med conclusion Lph. As to the 185. The following conclusions are based on the Special Committee in implementing the usions could be events which have come to the knowledge of resolution of the General Assembly of 21 Oc­ nvestigations by the Special Committee up till 16 June 1948. tober 1947. The Governments of Albania, 186. The Special Committee has consistently Bulgaria and Yugoslavia, on the other hand, 1948, Group 4 endeavoured to assist Albania, Bulgaria and have refused to co-operate with the Special Com­ k Army against Yugoslavia, on the one hand, and Greece, on mittee or even to recognize it as a duly consti­ i. One member the other, to establish normal diplomatic and tuted body of the United Nations. Because of Y.1ay 1948 when good neighbourly relations amongst themselves. this refusal to co-operate with it, the Special he Greek Army The Government of Greece has co-operated with Committee has thus far been unable to give 'ID See especially A/AC.16/SC.1/0G.3/7, 8 and 245 A/AC.16/SC.l/OGA/7 S-l Cone!. Cone!.; A/AC.16/0GA/3, 7, S-l and Cond.; A/AC.16/­ :!. and A/AC.16/- 2.l' A/AC.16/0G.417 S-1. OG.4/5 and SC. Cone!.; A/AC.16/0G.6/1, 3,5, 6 and ". See especially A/AC.16/SC.l/OG.3/5, 6, 7 and 9 and Cone!. c!. Cone!.; A/AC.16/0G.4/3, 7; A/AC.16/0GA/5/SC. 25. A/AC.16/SC.l/OG.4/4 S··l Cone!.; see also para­ Cone!.; A/AC.16/0G.6/3, 6, 8 and Concl. graph 175. :!. 248 See especially A/AC.16/SC.l/OG.3/5 and 7 and '''See especially A/AC.16/SC.l/OG.4/5, 7 S-l; A/­ Cone!. Cond.; A/AC.16/0G.4/3 and Cone!.; A/AC.16/­ AC.16/0G.6/3 Cone!.; A/AC.16/0G.6/9 Cone!. OG.4/5 and SC. Cone!.; A/AC.16/0G.6/3, 5, 6 and ''''' A/AC.1b,lSC.1/0G.417 S-l Cone!. Cone!. 203 AIAC.1€/SC.l/OG.6/9 Cond. 28 substantial assistance to the four Governments to the guerrillas through Government-controlled in the implementation of the recommendations radio stations, the existence of the broadcasting contained in the General Assembly's resolution stati(,,{ of the Greek guerrillas on Yugoslav soil, Compositio concerning (1) establishment of normal diplo­ and the systematic organization of aid com­ matic and good neighbourly relations; (2 ) mittees. This assistance has been on such a scale (.:z) DELE frontier conventions; (3) political refugees; and that the Special Committee has concluded that Nine 'Go (4) voluntary transfer of minorities. it has been given with the knowledgp. of the to the Unit Governments of Albania, Bulgaria amI Yugo­ Balkans. At 187. Good neighbourly relations between slavia. their comp Greece and her northern neighbours do not Australia exist. Diplomatic relations exist be~ween Greece 189. So long as events along the northern Colonel and Yugoslavia, but these relations are not borders of Greece show that supp:}rt is being sentati normal. There are no diplomatic relations given to the Greek guerrillas from Albania, Bul­ Mr. Ter between Albania and Greece. The Special Com­ gm'ia and Yugoslavia, the Special Committee is Brazil mittee has been informed that the resumption convinced that a threat to the political inde­ Mr. Vas Mr. Jorg of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and pendence and territorial integrity of Greece will China Greece is now under discussion in 'Vashington, exist, and internatIOnal peace and security in Dr. Sih D. C. (U.S.A.). the Balkans will be endangered. Dr. Cha 188. It appears to the Special Committee that 190. Although the Governments of Albania, France M. Emil the Greek guerrillas have received aid and Bulgaria and Yugoslavia have not so far co­ M. Roge assistance from Albania, Bulgaria and Yugo­ operated with it, the Special Committee is con­ Mexico slavia; that they have been furnished with war vinced that it 'would be possible to assist these Dr. Fran material and other supplies from those coun­ Governments and the Government of Greece to General tries; that they have been allowed to use the reach, in the interest of all, a peaceful settlement Netherland territories of Albania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia of their differences if the Governments con­ Mr. Jam for tactical operations; and that after rest or cerned were prepared to act in accordance with Colonel medical treatment in the territories of Albania, the General Assembly's resolution of 21 October Pakistan Bulgaria and Yugoslavia, their return to Greece 1947 and in the spirit of the Charter of the Colonel has been facilitated. The Special Committee United Nations. It is with this hope that the Colonel further finds that moral support has been given Special Committee is continuing its task. United Ki Sir Hor sentati Brigadiel deput) CHAPTER V United Sta Admiral RECOMMENDATIONS Mr. Gel' 191. (1) As long as the present disturbed 193. (3) The Special Committee recom­ (b) SECF conditions along the northern frontiers of Greece mends that the nations which have provided The Se continue, it is, in the opinion of the Special observers and equipment shall be reimbursed for secretariat Committee, essential that the functions of exer­ the expenses incurred and that the United Nations S] cising vigilance \',:ith regard to the relations Nations shall meet all such expenses in the the time 0 between Albania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia and tariat was future. the secreta Greece and of endeavouring to bring about a 194. (4) The Special Committee recom­ headed by peaceful settlement of existing tension and diffi­ and Mr. ~ culties, remain entrusted to an agency of the mends that the General Assembly shall consider Secretary) United Nations. ways and means of obtaining the co-operation of Albania, Bulgaria and YugGslavia with the 192. (2) The Special Committee, however, Special Committee. Report 0 recommends that consideration should be given Albani to the constitution of the Special Committee in Done at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, in norther a form which would not entail so heavy a finan­ the English and French languages, this thirtieth ADOPTED cial burden on the United Nations and on the day of June, one thousand nine hundred and nations members of the Special Committee. forty-eight.

I. Intro Done at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, in the English and French languages, this thirtieth day II. The of June, one thousand nine hundred and forty-eight. Ill. Fore dre Representative of: (Signed) Representative of: (Signed) IV. S V. Con Australia W. R. Hodgson Netherlands J. de Booy VI. Deci Brazil V. daCunha Pakistan Abdur Rahim Khan VII. Doe China Sih Kwang-tsien United Kingdom H. Seymour Note. Fi France E. Charveriat United States of America Gerald A. Drew which will Mexico F. Castillo Najera ANNEXES trolled ANNEX 1 I. INTRODUCTION :asting Composition of the United Nations Special Com­ A. The Greek Liaison Service charged that: ,\I soil, mittee on the Balkans com­ 1. Agents of "General" Markos had begun a (3) DELEGATIONS TO THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE census of children aged 3 to 14 years in northern l scale Greece in order to remove them forcibly to Al­ :1 that Nine 'Governments have appointed delegations to the United Nations Special Committee on the bania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, and other countries )f the for re-education (1). Yugo- Balkans. At the time of the signing of this report, their composition was as follows: 2. Such removals had begun (lA). Australia tthem Colonel William R. Hodgson, a.B.E., repre- 3. The census and the removals were part of a o sentative, plan to: heint>' , Bul- Mr. Terence G. Glasheen, deputy. (a) Terrorize Greek families into supporting ttec is Brazil the guerrillas; Mr. Vasco T. L. da Cunha, representative, (b) Educate Gred: children in communist indc­ Mr. Jorge de Oliveira Maia, reputy. :c will ideology; China ity in (c) Destroy the Greek race by alienating Greek Dr. Sih Kwang-tsien, representative, children; Dr. Chao Tsun-hsin, deputy. (~). Disrupt agricultural production by forcing Jania, France M. Emile Charveriat, representative, farmlies to flee from the land to the towns in ll' co­ M. Roger Monmayou, deputy. order to protect their children. ; con­ Mexico (lB) these Dr. Francisco Castillo Najera, representative, 4. This plan and its execution constituted the ~cc to General Tomas Sanchez Hernandez, deputy. crime of genocide (2). ~mcnt Netherlands B..At about the same time these charges were con­ Mr. James Marnix de Booy, representative, bemg made, r~dio· reports from Albania, Bulgaria with Colonel J. J. A. Keuchenius, deputy. and YugoslaVIa announced the arrival of Greek :tober Pakistan children in these and other countries. If the Colonel Abdur Rahim Khan, representative, t the Colonel R. S. Chhatari, deputy. 1. These broadcasts, as well as guerrilla radio United Kingdom broadcasts, explained this situation as a humani­ Sir Horace Seymour, G.C.M.G., cva., repre­ tarian effort to: sentative, Brigadier C. Saunders-Jacobs, C.B.E., D.S.O., (a) Rescue the children in guerrilla-controlled J. areas from the risks of war and famine; deputy. United States of America (b) Provide educational facilities which were Admiral Alan G. Kirk, representative, lacking in those areas of Greece; Mr. Gerald A. Drew, deputy (c) Provide a haven for those children suffer­ ing from the results of political persecution. (b) SECRETARIAT OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE C0111- (3) vided The Secretary-General originally assigned a C. The Special Committee, on 5 March 1948 in­ :d for secretariat of twenty-five members to the United Nations Special Committee on the Balkans. At structed its observation groups to give top pri~rity nited to an examination of the Greek Liaison Service the the time of the signing of this report, the secre­ tariat was composed of thirty members, including c~arg~s and c?llected the resulting data, together the secretaries of the observation groups. It was WIth mformation from the Greek Liaison Service headed by Mr. Raoul Aglion (Principal Secretary) and UNSCOB monit')rs of radio broadcasts from cml1- Albania, Bulgaria, and Yugoslavia (4). lsider and Mr. M. J. Van Schreven (Deputy Principal ~ f Secretary) . ation AN~EX 2 H. THE EVIDENCE l the -:;' Report on the removal of Greek children to A. Reports of census of children .~~ Albania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia and other a, in northern countries 1. Reports of the observation groups and in­ tieth formation supplied by the Greek Liaison Service ADOPTED BY THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE, ON indicate that a census of children of from three to and 21 MAY 1948 thirteen years of age (in some reports two to fifteen (Document A/AC.16/251/Rev.l) years of age) was taken by the guerrillas in the following two main areas of northern Greece con­ [Original text: English] trdled by them: Contents (a) The Slav-speaking area of Western Mace- . Page donia: The region around Lake Prespa, Florina I. Introduction 29 a~? Kastoria, which is inhabited mostly by Greek ~ day II. The evidence 29 CItizens who speak a Slav language; Ill. Forcible or voluntary removal cf chil- (b) The eastern part of Greek Thrace: There dren 30 have been also a few reports ef census-taking in i) IV. Summary of facts...... 31 areas of Epirus and in central and eastern Mace­ V. Conclusiuns 32 donia under guerrilla control (5). Booy VI. Decisions 32 ~han VII. Document references 32 B. Reports of removal of children from villages nour Note. Figures in parenthesis are document refe.ences 1. By interviews with parents and other wit­ )rew which will be found <>ri page 32. nesses the observation groups ascertained that 30

children had been removed from certain villages III. FORCIBLE OR VOLUNTARY REMOVAt. OF CHILDREN fathers we in the Kastoria region, and in Thrace (6). The A. Obscrz..ation group evidence dren who. witnesses, for the most part, reported that the go (23). children were bound for Albania and Yugoslavia 1. Observation groups found some evidence that , (e) A or Bulgaria. One observation group interviewed a children were taken from some villages without witness who stated that, on 15 March, when he region) sa the consent of their parents. refuse to s was in Yugoslavia, he saw some forty children guerrillas s~eaking a mixture of Greek and Slav, accom­ (a) A woman from the village of Lavara in refused to panied by several women, travelling in carts (7). Thrace stated that all the population of her vil­ The departures were reported to have begun as lage, including sick children, were taken out by (f) In early as January, but, for the most part, to have force by the guerrillas, on the night of 11-12 servation occurred in March (8). Another observation group March (14). werc olde (OG.6, in Thrace) interviewed four Bulgarian exception (b) Seventeen witnesses, most of them village guerrillas refugees who reported that they had seen as many mayors who had fled their homes in Thrace, stated as three hundred Greek children brought to the that guerrillas had removed both adults and chil­ 4. PareI town of Ortakoi in Bulgaria, that Greek children dren from villages since January, and that most i northern c were being concentrated in the Bulgarian village of the people were taken against their will. One (a) S of Philippopolis, and that "every two or three days young Noman told the group that on the morning they would bring truckloads of Greek children o. 17 March twt'nty guerrillas entered her village (b) Pm through the village of Ortakoi". Another of these (.Trisika), and took by force all the children under (c) Tu witnesses said that trains with Greek children in eightt'en years of age, some 180 persons. One them frequently arrived at the Bulg:l.rian village child's arm was broken in trying to tear it away of Lyoubemitz. "On one occasion, over two hun­ from its mother, and the child was left behind 5. Rcsllm£ dred children arrived ...I remember that one (15) . group of twenty came, one of ten, and, on 3 April, 70" (8A). 2. Observation groups interviewed witnesses (a) Ob who stated they would object to the removal of it certain 2. Information supplied by the Greek Liaison their children. children iI Service reported that children had been removed countries from villages in the Slav-speaking area and Thrace (a) All the parents in the village of Leptokaries truc in (9). On 29 April, the Greek Liaison Service pre­ (Florina'region) with whom members of Observa­ from the sented a list of names of some 1,000 Greek children tion Group 2 spoke were firmly opposed to letting carried 0 who had allegedly been abducted by the guerrillas their children go (16). quiries ap for despatch to the countries to the north of in makin (b) A witness from the village of Vapsori (Kas­ Greece (9A). fearing th toria region) told Observation Group 2 that a enrollcd t large number of children from his village took number 0 refuge in Kastoria to avoid being taken by the C. Reports of the reception of Greek children in pathizers, guerrillas, and that, in his opinion, only 10 per countries to the north of Greece but there cent of the parents comented to the removal of of parent~ 1. Repeated radio broadcasts from Albania, their children (17). Bulgaria, and Yugoslavia, and the Markos broad­ guerrillas, casting station, asserted that Greek children had (c) Two witnesses who tied from their viliage refuse to been taken into Albania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, in the Konitza region reported that the parents speaking Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Poland, in March were much opposed to letting their children accepted ?nd April (10). -;') (18). process l' (d) Three witnesses from the village of Ereseli made to 0 2. On 9 April, Belgrade radio said that 7,000 in the Lake Doiran region said that they fled with of them Greek children had arrived in that city, and, on their children to avoid having them taken by the the villa~ 12 April, it broadcast that 12,000 Greek children guerrillas (19). parents' in all were expected to be divided among Albania, 2 did n Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, and Hungary (11). 3. But the observation groups also found con­ moval of siderable evidence that many uf the children, par­ tries (29) 3. Red Cross organizations in some of the ticularly in the Slav-speaking area of Western northern countries have appealed for funds to care Macedonia, were taken with the consent of their (b) 0 for the Greek children, and these countries have parents. that, up widely publicized steps taken to provide housing, countries schooling, and recreation (12). (a) In the village of Kato Lefki (Kastoria guerrillas region), Observation Group 2 found that in five reported 4. A broadcast by the "Free Greece" guerrilla cases investigated (out of twenty-eight cases) all taken aw radio on 14 March reported that 4,400 Greek chil­ five fathers were guerrillas. The group found no abductio dren have been transferred from fifty-nine villages proof that any child was taken against the wishes schooling in Greece to the northern countries (13). of its parents (20). by this g ,i -. (b) A witness from the Slav-speaking village conclude of Vronderon (Lake Prespa region) said many abduct D. Summary of evidence on removal of Greek parents were happy to see their children go (21). a house children to the north strengthe. (c) A witness from Pisodherion (Lake Prespa 1. All sources therefore agree that since January to take region) said that on 20 February the priest of the been ca Greek children have been moved from certain village advised parents to send their children to areas of northern Greece to countries to the north. is no evi the northern countries. The village teacher was were abd It is impossible to estimate accurately the number reported to have told this witness that she would of children removed. probably accompany a group of twenty chil­ B. Inl9r 2. These sources have disagreed, however, on dren (22). the question whether the children were removed (d) Two children of Kranohori (Kastoria 1. The by force, or with the approval of their parents. region) sta\.ed that some fifty children, whose various i ~~ CHILDREN fathers were guerrillasJ had leftJ but that the chil. indicating opposition by parents to the removal dren whose fathers were not guerrillas did not of their children. Some children have escaped, go (23). some parents have expressed disapproval to the lence that (e) A witness from Andartikon (Lake Prespa Greek Army, children in some villages were hidden s without region) said that parents were in principle free to to avoid deportation, and, in a village in the Evros refuse to send their children and that, even after region, parents were reported to have stoned guerrillas taking their children (32). ~avara in guerrillas had insisted, forty out of 240 families f her vi!. refused to send their children (24). 2. The Greek Government has gathered, since :n out by (f) In the village of Meta.'>:ades (Thrace), Ob­ 20 March, approximately 5,500 children from of 11-12 servation Group 6 found that all the persons taken Macedonia and 5,000 from Thrace to be trans­ were older than fifteen years of age w~th the ferred to the interior of Gt"eece to prevent their exception of three children whose fathers were forcible removal by guerrillas (33). The President m village guerrillas (25 ). of the village of Kornofolea (Thrace) stated to lce, stated Group 6 that, after three children, aged ten, and chi!. 4. Parents agreed to send their children to the thirteen and fcurteen years of age had been ab­ that most northern countries for the following reasons: ducted with their mother, and after the guerrillas will. One (a) Sympathy with the guerrillas (26); had announced that all children would be taken : morning to Bulgaria for schooling, all the children of the (b) Poverty and lack of schooling (27); er village village were moved to the town of Souflion (34). ren under (c) Tu escape the dangers of war (28). It is worth noticing that some peasants from Boufi ons. One village took their children away from Florina after r it away learning that the Government intended to evacu­ ft behind 5. Resume of summary reports from Observution Groups 2 and 6 ate them to the south (35). (a) Observation Group 2 (Florina) considered 3. Guerrilla and northern countries radio broad­ witnesses casts repeatedly announced that 12,000 Greek :moval of it certain that the guerrillas intended to send the children in the area under guerrilla control to the children from areas controlled by the guerrillas countries north of Greece. This was especially would be moved to the northern countries because ~ptokaries true in Macedonia. In Thessaly, which is further of: Observa· from the frontier, such measures are not being ta) Lack of educati.onal facilities in guerrilla to letting carried out. In Macedonia, house-to-house en­ territory; quiries appeared to be the most common procedure (b) Risks of warfare and famine; in making a census and the majority of parents, :ori (Kas­ (c) Political oppression. (36) 2 that a fearing the possible consequences of their refusal, lage took enrolled their children unwillingly. A fairly large number of parents, and especially guerrilla sym­ n by the IV. SUMMARY OF FACTS y 10 per pathizers, favoured the departure of their children, moval of but there Vias lively opposition from the majority A. A census of children has been taken by the of parents. When a village sympathized with the guerrillas in certain areas of Greece under guer­ guerrillas, the guerrillas left the parents free to rilla control. The evidence is that tlLs census is in :ir viHage refuse to hand over their children and in Slav­ connexion with the removal of children (see sec­ e parents speaking villages the majority of parents willingly tion II-A). children accepted the offer. In Greek-speaking villages the process resembled conscription; attempts were B. A large number of children have been re­ moved from certain areas of northern Greece of Ereseli made to convince the parents and, after a minority of them volunteered, a list of all the children in under guerrilla control to Albania, Bulgaria and fled with Yugoslavia and, according to radio reports from ~n by the the village was drawn up notwithstanding the parents' desires. The summary report of Group Belgrade and Sofia, to certain other countries to 2 did not, however, establish the actual re­ the noI1th. However, the Special Committee has und con­ moval of children from its area to foreign coun- not been able to verify, by means available to it, Iren, par­ tries (29). " the precise number of children involved (section Western II-B, 0; III-B.2, 3). t of their (b) Observation Group 6 (Thrace) reported that, up to 31 March, the children sent to the C. While a number of parents have agreed countries north of Greece were the children of under duress to the removal of their children, and (Kastoria guerrillas or guerrilla sympathizers. The group some children have in fact been forcibly removed, at in five reported that some children have probably been other parents have consented, or at least failed to ;ases) all taken away with forcibly recruited adults. Mass object, to such removal. It has not been possible found no abduction of Greek children by the guerrillas for for the Special Committee to determine the exact he wishes schooling in foreign countries cannot be confirmed number of children removed under these categories by this group (30). In a later report, the group (section II-B; III-A, B). gue~llas Ig village concluded that the failure of the to D. The number of cases reported points to the lid many abduct two girls aged thirteen and fourteen from existence of a progranlIDe to remove children from go (21). a house they entered in Metaxades seemed to a.reas of Greece under guerrilla control to certain strengthe.l the group's previous opinion. The plan ~e Prespa countries to the north (section II-A, B; Ill-A, B). ~st to take Greek children into foreign countries has of the been carried out, to some extent at least, but there .ildren to E. Although the responsibility for the initiation is no evidence to indicate whether these children of the plan is not knowr to the Special Committee, cher was were abducted by force (31). he would it follows from the appearance of Greek children on a large scale in the countries to the north and nty chil- B. Inf':>rmation from other sources the numerous announcements of the radios con­ trolled by these Governments that the progranlIDe (Kastoria 1. The Greek Liaison Selvice has reported is being carried out with the approval and assist­ 11, whose various incidents based on witnesses' statements ance of these Governments. v. CONCLUSIONS (e) Observation Group 6 (Alexandoupolis) Re. ports 1 to 6. (23) A/A 1. In the considered opinion of the Special (24) A/A Committee, the reception and retention of Greek 2. UNSCOB Radio Monitor (25) A/A children removed by the guerrillas to Albania, Bul­ (a) A/AC.16/173. (26) A/A garia and Yugoslavia, without their parents' free (b) A/AC.16/Mon.3 to 20. SO.l/ consent, raises the issue of the inherent rights of 3. Greek Liaison Service Communications 2/7/a parents. The protracted retention of these children (27) A/A would be contrary to the accepted moral standards (a) A/AC.16/149. SO.l/ of international conduct. (b) A/AC.16/155. OG.2 (c) A/AC.16/157. SC.1/ The plan raises the issue of the sovereignty of (d) A/AC.16/174. SC.1/ Greece over her citizens and constitutes a serious (e) A/AC.16/183. OG.61 obstacle to the re-establishment of good neigh­ (I) A/AC.16/192. annex bourly relations between Greece and her northern (g) A/AC.16/201. (28) A/A neighbours. (h) A/AC.16/204. 16/S (i) A/AC.16/215. 2. If conditions in areas in which guerrillas 1/0G (j) A/AC.l6/234. 2/9/S operate appeared to justify the removal of chil­ (k) A/AC.16/241. dren on humanitarian grounds and the Greek annex Government were unable to effect their removal, (29) A/A the Greek Government should be requested to in­ B. Document refeTences (30) A/A fonn the Special Committee accordingly. In the (31) A/A light of this and other information which may (1) A/AC.16/149. 5. be in possession of the Sped::.l Committee, con­ (lA) A/AC.16/155; A/AC.16/174; A/AC.16/. (32) A/A sideration could then be given to the removal of 192. 183. such children through the intermediary of an ap­ (lB) A/AC.16/149; A/AC.16/192. (3~) A/A propriate international organization. This, or an­ (2) A/AC.16/149. (34) A/A other suitable organization, might also be asked (3) A/AC.16/204; A/AC.16/183; A/AC.16/. (35) A/A to accept responsibility for the care and eventual 173; A/AC.16/Mon.10; A/AC.16/Mon.20; (36) A/A repatriation of children who have already been A/AC.16/157. 173; removed. The Special Committee would be pre­ (1") A/AC.16/SR.45; A/AC.16/SR.46; A/AC.. A/AC pared to co-operate with any such organization 16/SC.1/Min.24. which might be agreed upon for this purpose. (5) A/AC.16/SC.1/0G.2/5/annexes C, D, E, and F; A/AG.16/SC.1/0G.2/6/annex A, VI. DECISIONS page 2, annex C; A/AC.16/SC.1/0G.2/7/. annex D; A/AC.16/SC.1/0G.2/9/S-1, page The Special Committee decides: 1-3; A/AC.16/SC.1/0G.1/8/ annex C; ADOPTEI 1. That a communication, along with a copy of A/AC.16/SC.1/0G.1/9/annex A; A/AC.. this report, be sent to the Greek Government, sug­ 16/SC.1/0G.3/5/annex 5; A/AC.16/SC.l/. gesting, if it has not already done so, that it should OG.6/5/annex B; A/AC.16/149; A/AC.. take up the question directly with the Govern­ 16/157; A/AC.16/174; A/AC.16/183. ments concerned in this matter and inform the (6) A/AC.16/SC.1/0G.2j7, page 3, annex C· Special Committee subsequently of the results of A/AC.16/SC.1/0G.2/8, pages 2 and 3; such action; A/AC.16/SC.1/0G.2/9/S-1, page 2; A/AC.16/SC.1/0G.6/4/annex B; A/AC.­ 1. The U 2. That this report be transmitted directly to the 16/SC.1/0G.6/5/annexes A and B. gation conc( Governments of Albania, Bulgaria, and Yugo­ (7) A/AC.16/SC.1/0G.2/9.S-1, page 1. parted to th slavia, and to urge these Governments to discour­ (8) A/AC.16/SC.1/0G.6/5/annexes A and B. (S/360, pag age any further removal of children from Greek (8A) A/AC.16/SC.:/OG.6/6/annex B, witnesses in Greece 01 territory and to arrange for the prompt return to 55, 56, 57, 59. garia and A Greece of these children; (9) A/AC.16/155; A/AC.16/174; A/AC.16/. gees from ea, 183. a serious COl 3. That the Secretary-General of the United (9A) A/AC.16/241. tion". Nations be requested to transmit copies of this re­ (10) A/AC.16/174; A/AG.16/183; A/AC.16/. port to the other countries of eastern Europe 2. The G 149; A/AC.16/215; A/AC.16/204; A/AC.. the Greek where the reception of Greek children within their 16/173; A/AC.16/Mon.3; A/AC.16/Mon.. terri.tories has been reported and to request those mended to Governments for an early statement of their plans 10; A/AC.16/Mon.14; A/AC.16/Mon.17j the one han for the return to Greece of these children. A/AC.16/Mon.18; A/AC.16/Mon.19; A/. co-operate i AC.16/Mon.20. ing out of (11) A/AC.16/Mon.19 and 20. States conc VII. DOCUMENT REFERENCES (12) A/AG.16/157; A/AC.16/174; A/AC.16/. wherever p 204; A/AC.16/215; A/AC.16/Mon.3; AI. A. Documents used measures to AC.16/Mon.1O; A/AC.16/Mon.14j A/AG.· gees in poli 1. Observation Group reports 16/Mon.18. Committee \ (13) A/AC.16/174. (a) Observation Group 1 (Ioannina) Reports pliance with (14) A/AG.16/SC.1/0G.6/4/annex B. of this reco 1 to 10 S-l. (15) A/AC.16/SC.1/0G.6/5/annexes A and B. (b) Observation Group 2 (Florina) Reports 1 (16) A/AC.16/SC.1/0G.2/6, page 2. to 9 S-l. (17) A/AC.16/SC.1/0G.2/9, S-l, page 2. (c) Observation Group 3 (Kilkis) Reports 1 (18) A/AC.16/SC.1/0G.1/8/annex C. to 5. (19) AjAC.16/SC.1/0G.3/5/annex 5. 3. On 9 (20) A/AO.16/SC.1/0G.2/7, page 2. established , (d) Observation Group 4 (Kavalla) Reports (21) A/AC.16/SC.l/OG.2/5/annex E. problem (A 1 to 3. (22) A/AC.16/SC.1/0G.2/6/annex B. the Sub-Co olis) Re. (23) A/AC.l5/SC.l/0G.2/7/annex C. Cunha (Brazil), subsequently elected Chairman; (24) A/AC.16/SC.l/0G.2/9/S-1, page l. Lt. Col. Abdur Rahim Khan (Pakistan); and Sir (25) A/AC.16/SC.l/0G.6/5, page 4. Horace Seymour (United Kingdom), subsequently (26) A/AC.l6/SC.l/0G.2/8, page 2; A/AC.l6/­ elected Rapporteur. SC.l/0G.2/7, page 2; A/AC.16/SC.l/0G.­ 2/7/annex D. 4. The Sub-Committee presented a question­ ons (27) A/AC.16/SC.l/OG.2/7, page 2; A/AC.16/­ naire to the Greek Liaison Service on 20 Decem­ SC.l/0G.2/5iannex E; A/AC.16/SC.l/­ ber in order to supplement and bring up to dat(' OG.2/6/annex B and page 2; A/AC.l6/­ the available information on refugees (A/AC.16/­ SC.l/0G.l/9/annex A, page 2; A/AC.16/­ SC.3/1). On 29 December the Greek Liaison SC.l/0G.3/5/annex 5; A/AC.16/SC.l/­ Service replied to the questionnaire, giving the OG.6/4/annex B; A/AC.16/SC.l/0G.6/5/­ following information (A/AC.16/45): there were annexes A and B. in Greece 613 Albanian, 214 Bulgarian and 409 (28) A/AC.16/SC.l/0G.2/6/annex A; A/AC.­ Yuaoslav refugees. These refugees were assembled 16/SC.l/0G.2/7/annex B; A/AC.16/SC.­ in four camps: Salonika (a reception and tran­ 1/0G.2/8/annex A; A/l~C.16/SC.l/0G.­ sient camp), Piraeus (formerly the Hadjikyriakou 2/9/S-1, page 3; A/AG.16/SC.l/0G.l/9/­ Orphanage) , Lavrion (Attica province) and annex A, page 1. ' Hermoupolis (Isle of Syros in the Cyclades). There (29) A/AC.16/SC.l/0G.2/9/S-1, page 3. were 41 refugees at liberty under police supervision (30) A/AC.16/SC.l/0G.6/5, page 4. because they had found work. The great majority (31) A/AC.16/SC.l/0G.6/6/;IlI, para. 4 and of these refugees \.ere persons who had fled from 5. their countries of origin for political reasons, but some were deserters. Fewer tllan ten persons had 'AC.16/- (32) A/AG.16/155; A/AC.16/174; A/AC.16/- 183. expressed a desire to return to their countries ot (3~) A/AC.16/234. origin. (34) A/AG.16/SC.l/0G.6/5/annex A, page 1. 5. As regards Greek nationals who had been ex­ AC.16/­ (35) A/AC.16/SC.l/0G.2/9/S-1, page 4. pelled or had fled from their permanent residence Mon.20j (36) A/AC.16/204; A/AC.16/183; A/AC.l6/­ in the nQrthern neighbour countries, the Greek 173; A/AC.16/Mon.1O; A/AC.16/Mon.20; Liaison Service replied that the number of such A/Aa.- A/AC.16/157. persons had not been accurately ascertained since they were Greek citizens and free to live where :, D, E, they wished. llnex A, ANNEX 3 )G.2/7/­ Report on refugees 6. In that section of u~e report by the Com­ ;-1, page mission of Investigation subscribed to by the nex aj ADOPTED BY THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON minority, it was reported that there were between A/Aa.- 27 MARCH 1948 48,000 and 50,000 Greek refugees in the northern j/SC.l/­ (Document A/AC.16/179) neighbour countries (S/360/pages 225 and 231). A/Aa.­ The Greek Liaison Service informed the Sub­ l83. [Original text: English] Committee that it had no information on the nnex aj number of these refugees since the northern and 3j A. TERMS OF REFERENCE neighbour countries had maintained complete 2; silence on this question (A/AC.16/45 page 3, para­ A/Aa.. 1. The United Nations Commission of Investi­ graph C). The Sub-Committee was unable to pro­ gation concerning Greek Frontier Incidents re­ ceed further with this important aspect of the ported to the Security Council on 27 May 1947 refugee problem because of the refusal of Albania, and B. (S/360, page 247) that the continued presence Bulgaria and Yugoslavia to co-operate with it in in Greece on the one hand and Yugoslavia, Bul­ .vitnesses accordance with the terms of the General Assembly garia and Albania on the other of political refu­ resolution. This refusal not only made the Sub­ gees from each other's territory was "all too clearly AC.16/. Committee's task difficult, but severely limited its a serious contributory factor to the present situa­ study of the refugee problem. tion". 7. More than 1,200 questionnaires in Albanian, AC.16/. 2. The General Assembly resolution 109(Il) on Serbian and Bulgarian were distributed to the A/AC.­ the Greek question of 21 October 1947 recom­ refugees through the Greek Liaison Service 5/Mon.. mended to Albania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia on (A/AC.16/SC.3/3/Rev.l). The Sub-Committee Mon.17; the one hand and Greece on the other "that they received 1,123 answered questionnaires from 557 19; A/. co-operate in the settlement of the problems aris­ Albanians, 201 Bulgarians and 365 Yugoslavs. The ing out of the presence of refugees in the four difference of 113 between the Greek Liaison total States concerned through voluntary repatriation of refugees and the number of answered question­ AC.16/. wherever possible and that they take effective naires was represented by persons who were ill t.3; A/· measures to prevent the participation of such refu­ and by wives and children who were included in A/Ae.- gees in political or military activity". The Special the questionnaire of the family head. A compari­ Committee was charged with observing the com­ son of the total of refugees given by the Greek pliance with and assisting in the implementation Liaison Service on 29 December with that reported of this recommendation. to the Commission of Investigation on 15 April and B. 1947 (S/AC,41221, annexes 1, 2 and 3) showed B. AN ACCOUNT OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE'S WORK a decrease of 163 Yugoslavs and 50 Bulgarians and ~. an increase of 204 Albanians. The Greek Liaison ON THE REFUGEE PROBLEM Service explained that (1) refugees from Kossovo 3. On 9 December 1947 the Special Committee (see paragraph 13) were considered as Yugoslavs established Sub-Committee 3 to study the refugee in the total of 29 December; (2) the 50 Bulgarians problem (A/AC.16/15/Rev.2). The members of were Pomaks who voluntarily left Greece for the Sub-Committee were Mr. Vasco T. L. da Turkey in 1947 (A/AC.16/SC.3/6). 34

8. To supplement the infonnation contai~~d~~ 15 In the absence of liaison withSthbe CGov~.t· . . f .. the u - onum- tIle

<) T}·l(' SJ)ccial Committee's observation group.s qO\~en~. " ., , 'tna Albanian representative. "The Greek have b('en requested to report on any III 'er - merit shelters a number of Albanian w~r crrmmalS tional refugees in their areas, as a further check on ... among them FIOn·· D'me... Hysm..DemaN' •.. , the nllllll.wr of international refugees m Greece. Muharem Bajrakatari, Abaz Errnem,. A!I IVlca.i 10. The Sub-Committee informed the Prepara­ Hald Rushita well-known coIIaboratlOl1lSts . (S/AC.4/PV.l3). The Albanian represen!ativc tory Commission for the International Refugee ~ep.resentmg Organization of its study by a letter from the later submitted a list of 19 names a Principal Secretary on 6 January 1948. In a .reply "Nominal roll of Albanian war crmunals? refu- dated 9 l'ebruary, the Preparatory Comp1ISSI?n ~1eed in Greece, photographed at Salonrka on stated that "owing to administrative.and financIal April 1946" (S/ACA/44/annex 7, page 8). r th~t ( considerations, it does not appear hkely w,e Bulgarian representative. A list of thirteen pcr­ 1] shall undertake any activities in the area whIch IS sons classified as "BUlgarians fleeing from BUlgar;t~ the concern of your Committee" (A/AC.16/SC.­ 1 into Greece" was submitted on 4 February 19'rl f, 3/5). (S/AC.4/21 page 5). 11 Yugoslav representative. It was charged ~h~t r, C. SUMMARY OF VIEWS ON REPATRIATION EXPRESSED there were "several hundred Yugoslav wa: C~l­ b BY REFUGEES nals in Greece" and among them were CIted SiX \1 11. From interrogation of international refugees names (D/SV.4/PV.23, pages 9-10). tl in Greece and from a study of the questionnaires 16. The Greek Liaison Service stated that answered by them, the Sub-Committee was con­ neither Albania nor Bulgaria had made any formal vinccd that most of the refugees would not return request to the Greek Government for the extra­ voluntary to the countries of their origin under dition of war criminals. "Several" such requests g, anyth~seguarantee unless there were a political change had been made to the Greek Government by the it in countries. Most are willing and some even Yugoslav Government. The Greek Government C anxious to emigrate permanently to any other had found, however, that some of the persons re­ \\ country. All expressed willingness to work. quested were not in Greece and that the Yugoslav g, "no~ acco~­ 12. A total of eight refugees (six Bulgarians charges concerning the others were Cl panied by sufficient evidence to est~b!Ish theIr tl and two Yugoslavs) who expressed willingness to ac~ordance w~th th~ d~­ return to their countries of origin were interviewed prima facie validity in Cl by the Sub-Committee. cision of the United NatIOns on thIS subJect. ir In this connexion the Greek Liaison Service ti stated that despite many demarches on the part G D. I'ROllLEMS INVOLVED IN THE INTERNATIONAL of the Gre~k Government, Yugoslavia had never REFUGEE QUESTION supplied the lists of Greek subjects in Yugoslavia) oJ 13. Volu1ltary repatriation: From the point of the great majority of whom were composed of war criminals and even of common criminals 0] view of voluntary repatriation, the Sub.Committee tr found that the international refugee problem, (A/AC.16/SC.3/8). numerically small as it was in Greece, was com. re 17. There was evidence that at least two refu­ w plicated by a variety of factors. The main cate­ gees were beaten by their compatriots because in gories of these refugees appeared to be: pc answering questionnaires they had stated that they St wished to return to their countries. The Sub-Com­ (a) Persons ideologically opposed to the present of political regimes in their countries; mittee obtained the impression that pressure was tlt exerted in Lavrion and Piraeus camps by the ma­ Pc (b) Deserters; jority of refugees Upon some of their fellows to prevent them from saying that they wished to (c) A considerable number of Yugoslav na. return. tionals of Kossovo who speak Albanian and who wish to sce (1) Kossovo placed under Albanian 18. Political or military activity. The Sub-Com­ mIc; and (2) the present regime in Albania mittee studied, as far as it could, the manner in changed; which the Greek Government observed the Gen. on eral Assembly's injunction against political and nt! (d) Some collaborators with the Axis who now military activity of refugees. Further data were profess to have left their countries of origin for or ideological reasons. requested of the Special Committee)s observation th groups. Full publicity was given to the Sub-Com­ Then' were also the relatives of some refugees mittee's activities, providing an opportunity for and a few escaped criminals, adventurers and any interested person to come forward with Jet casuals. further infonnation. The Sub-Committee recog­ mi nized, however, that it had not the means to make sh< 1~. The Sub.Committee made no attempt to a thorough study of this question. on claSSIfy each refugee according to the above cate­ od gories since it was neither instructed nor equipped to do so. Such a study by experts should precede E. SUB-COMMITTEE'S CONCLUSIONS any resettlement project. 19.' The Sub-Committee f~und that the ~reek int Government was willing tocomply with the Gen- to pal • 35

n with the Govern. eral Ass'embly's recommendation that the four (b) If no United Nations body is able to as­ n, the Sub-Commit. Governments co-operate in voluntary repatriation sume this responsibility, a direct approach by the at accusations thcs o.f refugees where possible. The Greek Liaison Special Committee nlight be made to those coun­ lal refugees. It \loa: . Service, in a }etter dated 4 March 1948 (AIAC.­ tries to which some of the refugees in Greece have ~s of the northm 16/SC.3/4), explained that the Greek Govern­ expressed the desire to emigrate, for example, ~. £?l1owing chargtl ment in principle had no objection to permitting Australia, France, Syria, Turkey, United Kingdom llSSlOn of Investip. any refugee to leave Greece. It reserved the right and the United States. An approach might also r Incidents: to prohibit the departure of refugees who were be made by the Special Committee via the Secre­ being tried by Greek courts for crimes committed tary-General of the United Nations with a view ~he Greek Govem. in Greece, a group not exceeding twenty. How­ to sending international refugees in Greece' to anian war criminal; . ever, since only eight of the 1,236, refugees ex­ those countries which have a definite policy of .. Hysni Dema ... pressed their willingness to return to their coun­ encouraging immigration, for example, Argentina, ~rrneni, AIi Nivira. tries and, further, since three of the four Govern­ Brazil, Canada, Union of South Africa. The Sub­ laborationists ..." mCI)ts concerned have so far refused to co-operate, Committee noted that a further study of the skills 1.ian representati\'t the Sub-Committee was unable to fulfil the Gen­ available among the refugees in Greece would tmes representing. eral Assembly's mandate. assist such a project. 'ar crinlinals, reil!­ :d at Salonika c': 20. Political or military activity. The Sub-Com­ 25. In the event of the foregoing proposal (b) lllex 7, page 8). mittee was satisfied that in the camps visited the being adopted, the Special Committee should ap­ Greek Government was taking reasonable security proach the appropriate authorities for funds to list of thirteen per. measures to prevent political and military activity carry out this work, for example, the United ~eing from Bulgari.: by international refugees. The Sub-Comnlittee Nations, the International Red Cross, the Inter­ n 4 February l~i found no cvidence of undue political activity and national Refugee Organization. no evidence of military activity by international 26. The Sub-Committee was unable to make was charged thIt refugees. The only form of activity which might be termed political observed by the Sub-Comnlittee any recommendation on Greek refugees in the 'ugoslav war CM. northern neighbour countries because it was un­ lem were cued su was the correspondence by some refugees with their own party leaders outside the Balkans. able to approach either the Governments of those 9-10) . countries or the refugees themselves. :rvice stated that 21. Other conclusions. The Sub-Committee felt .cl made any forIm! for several reasons that some action should be lent for the extra· taken as quickly as possible to remove these refu­ ANNEX 4 :ra1" such requesl! gees from Greece. First, they were an international ;oV'ernment by tilt irritant. Secondly, they were a burden on the Reservation of the Australian delegation to, ;reek Government Greek Government. Thirdly, the Sub-Committee chapter III of the Report of the persons re· was concerned with the hopeless life of these refu­ gees, many of whom had spent several years in The Australian delegation has a general reserva-' that the Yugoslav tion to chapter III of the report. were "not accom· concentration camps. The Sub-Committee noted to establish theiI that the Greek Government had done all that This chapter, as submitted for approval, is mce with the de- could be expected of it under present circumstances essentially concerned with paragraph 4 of the reso­ an this subject". in housing and feeding the refugees under condi­ lution of 21 October 1947 according to which the ~ Liaison Servic~ tions which at least were comparable to those of General Assembly "calls on Albania, Bulgaria and ,rches on the part Greek domestic refugees. , Yugoslavia to do nothing which could furnish aid ;oslavia had never 22. The Sub-Committee also considered the case and assistance to the said guerrillas".' ~cts in Yugoslavia, of Greek nationals who have been either expelled vere composed of The Special Comnlittee, however, was given by ommon crimina\; or taken flight from the northern neighbour coun­ the Assembly no mandate in relation to this in­ tries where they were permanent residents. These junction. It was merely told "to observe the com­ refugees have their own organizations in touch pliance by the four Governments concerned" with at least two refu· with the Greek Government which may be ex­ certain "recommendations": This "observation'" latriots because in . pected to take up their case in due course. The was to be secondary to the primary function of ,d stated that they Sub-Committee observed that there were problems the Committee ... "to assist the four Governments es. The Sub·Com· of international recompense for property and in concerned in the implementation of such recom­ that pressure was' that connexion calls attention to the Bulgarian mendations".' :amps by the ma· . Peace Treaty of 1947. f their fellows to The "recommendations" were four-fold and : they wished to were set out in paragraph 5 of the General Assem­ F. RECOMMENDATIONS bly's resolution. It was in order to observe the y. The Sub-Corn· compliance of the four Governments with one of i, the manner in 23. It is recommended that steps be taken at these recommendations, namely". .. that they bserved the Gen· once to arrange for the repatriation of those inter­ establish good neighbourly relations among them­ nst political and national refugees in Greece, who have expressed, selves .. .''' that the Special Committee originally lrther data were or may in the future express, a desire to return to decided to establish observation groups. It was ttee's observation their countries. the unanimous opinion of the Special Committee to the Sub·Com- on 15 January 1948 that the instructions to the 24. Although the international refugee prob. observers were to be based firmly on paragraph opportunity for lem cannot be settled within the Special Com­ e forward with 5 (1) of the Assembly's resolution to the exclusion mittee's terms of reference, itis felt that attempts of paragraph 4." :ammittee recog· should be made to settle the problem in Greece .e means to make on practical lines. Therefore the following meth­ It soon became apparent, however, that the ob-- t. ods of approach are suggested: servation groups were not merely concerning them-

( a) That the problem and the records of the 1 Paragraph 5 of this report. JLUSIONS international refugees in Greece be turned over • Ibid., sub.paragraph 6 (1) of the Assembly resolution. • Ibid., sub.paragraph 6 (2) of the Assembly resolution. ! that the Greek to a competent agency of the United Nations (see • Ibid., sub-paragraph 5 (1) of the Assembly resolution. ly with the Gen- . paragraph 10); • AlAC.16/SR/31.

'.'~ ...... qr-••.,..., 'S.,...,..,.. --_------..."""p-----

36

selves with the presence or absenc~ of go?d not accept an interpretation. whi0 amounted~ in neighbourly relations, but were carrymg out ~n­ its view, if not to an arrogatIOn to Itself ,of powers vestigations and, in par~cular~ were cross-ex~n­ which the General Assembly had reframed from ing witnesses and hearmg eVIdence from varIOUS giving it, at least to an undue emphasis on sub­ sources relating to "aid and assistance" just as the sidiary functions. original Balkan Commission of Investigation had It is largely on the "investigations" by the ob­ done. That, however, was a very different body. servation groups of "aid and assistance" that It was a Commission of Investigation appointed chapter Ill, and in particular c!rapter Ill.B, of by the Security Council "to ascertain the facts re­ the report is based. The AustralIan delegatIOn as lating to frontier incidents". The Special Com­ a rule abstained from these "conclusions" con­ mittee, on the other hand, was an organ of the tained in chapter III B which were n~t bast;d. on General Assembly and was primarily a mediatory the direct observations of observers. In Its opmIon, and conciliatory body with secondary functions of it was as unnecessary as it was inadvisable to draw political observation. categorical conclusions either from the presump­ In the light of these investigation activities the tions of observers who had no access to three of Special Committee reconsidcred the instructions the four countries concerned or from the evidence to the observation groups. In May 1948, the Spe­ of witnesses produccd by only one of the four cial Committee not only decided to base the in­ interested Governments. structions to the observation groups on paragraph Maintaining then its view, that the observation 4 of the General Asscmbly resolution as· well as groups should have been limited to observing the on paragraph 5 (1), but authorized the observers compliance or non-compliance of the Governments "to make use of all available sources of infonna­ concerned with the Assembly's recommendation tion which they deemed useful, whether direct that they establish good neighbourly relations observation, enquiry or investigation.' The Austra­ among themselves, the Australian delegation must lian delegation dissented from this reversal of the cnter a general reservation to chapter III of the unanimous decision of 15 January 1948. While report. This section gives disproportionate em­ agreeing that the Special Committee had power phasis to activities which in the opinion of the to interpret its own terms of reference, it could Australian delegation were not in accordance with the spirit and intention of the General Assembly • A/AC.16/232/Rev. 1. when it passed its resolution of 21 October 1947.

ANNEX 5 Map of Northern Greece: Observation Group Zones o s • - • o s •

. 24'"

A L G

c

o A/57t1 Annex 5

NORTHERN GREECE OBSERVATION GROUP ZONES

- ~ ~ Zone Boundary Main Road (Selected) (Rai/roads are not shown.)

ELEVATIONS Feet Met ,<

6562 2000 3281 1000 0 0

20 40 60 °E 80 100 3 I I I I MILES ° 20 40 60 80 100 I I I 3 E I KILOMETRES BASE MAP: MAD OF GREECE, 1: 1,000,000, Under-Secretariat of State for the Press and Tourism, Greece. With modificaticns from other sources, SALES AGENTS OF THE UNITED NATIONS PUBLICATIONS DEPOSITAIRES DES PUBLICATIONS DES NATIONS UNIES

ARGENTINA-ARGENTINE EGYPT-EGYPTE NORWAY-NORVEGE Editorial Sudamericana S.A. Librairie "La Renaissance d'Egypte" Jllhan Grundt Tanum Forlag Alsina 500 9 8h. Adly Pasha Kr. AUj;\\I!'tgt. 7A OSLO BUENOS AIRES CAIRO

Aus'rRALlA-AUSTRALlE FINLAND-FINLANDE PHILIPPINES H. A. Goddard Pty. Ltd. Akateeminen Kirjakaupp& D. P. Pen'z Co. 2558 George Street 2, Keskuskatu 132 Hiverside SYDNEY, N. S. W. HELSINKI SAN JUAN

BELGIUM-BELG/QUE FRANCE SWEDEN-SUEDE Agence et Messageries de la Editions A. Pedone A.·B. C. E.. Fritzes Kungl. Presse, S. A. 13, rue Souffiot Hnfhok handel 14-22 rue du Persil PARiS, V· FrcdJ;\galon 2 BRUXELLES STOCKHOLM BOllVIA-BOLlVIE GREECE-GRECE "Eleftheroudakis" SWITZERLAND-SUlSSE LibreriR Cientifica y Literari6. Librairie Pa)'ot S. A. Avenida 16 de J ulio, 216 Librairie intemationale LWSANNT.. GF.Nf.vE. Yf:\,EY. Cnsma 972 Place de la Constitution MONTRF:lJX, XWCJ{'\T£L., LA PAZ ATHENES BERN f;. BAH;L CANADA GUATEMALA Ban!; Raunhardt The Ryerson Press Jose Goubaud KirchguSlIe 17 299 Queen Street West Goubaud & Cfa. Ltda. ZURICH I TORONTO Sucesor Sa Av. Sur No. 6 y 9a C. P. SYRIA-SYRIE CHIL'E-CHIU GUATEMALA Librairie uniYl'r&elle Edmundo Pizarro DAMAS Merced 846 HAITI SANTIAGO Max Bouchereau TURKEY-TURQUIE Librairie "A la Caravelle" Librairie .Har!H'tte CHINA-CHINE Boite postale 111·B 469 Istiklal Caddc>&.i The Commercial Press Ltd, PORT-AU-PRINCE BEYOGW·JSTANDtlL 211 Honan Road SHANGHAI INDIA-/NDE UNiON OF SOUTH AFRICA­ COLOMBIA-COLOMBIE Oxford Book & Stationery Company UNION SUD-AFRICAINE Scindia House Central Nt~Wll Age.ncy Lihreria Latina Ltda. NEW DELHI Apartado Aereo 4011 CommillSion(':r & Ritillik StII. BOGOTA J011 ANN£SnllRG and at CAr £T()1Il'i/( IRAN and DURDAN COSTA RICA-caSTA·RICA Bongahe Piaderow Trejos Hernlall0S 731 Shah Avenue UNITED KINGDOM­ TEHERAN Apartado 1313 ROYAUJt4E.UNI SAN JOSE IRAQ-IRAK H. M. Stationery Office P. O. Box 569 Mackenzie & Mackenzie CUBA LONDON, S.E. 1 La Casa Bclga The Bookshop Rene de Smedt BAGHDAD and at H.M.S.a. Shops in Q'Reilly 455 LONDON, EOI:'iIll'RGH, M"~C:Ht.$n::... CARDIFF, BELFAS1' and BRISTOL LA HABANA LEBANON-LlBAN Librairie universelle CZECHOSlOVAKIA--": BEYROUTH UNITED STATES OF AMERICA­ TCHECOSI.OVAQUlE ETATS·UNIS D'AMERIQUE F. Topic LUXEMBOURG International DncUlncnts Sen'k«:­ Narodni Trida '9 Librairie 1. 8chummer Columbia University Press PRAHA 1 Place Guillaume 2960 Broadway N};w YORK 27, N. Y. DENMARK-DANEMARK LUXEMBOURG Einar Munskgaard URUGUAY NETHERLANDS-PAYS.BAS Norregade 6 Oficina de RepTl'~('ntaci6n de KJOBENHAVN N. V. Martinus Nijhoff' Editorial(~s Lange Voorhout 9 13:~3 ESt~. S'GRAVENHAGE Av. 18 de JuHo 1 DOMINICAN REPUBLIC­ MO:'iTE\'IOEO REPUBLlQUE DOMINICAINE NEW ZEALAND_ Lihrerfa Dorninicana VENEZUElA CalIe Mercedes No. 49 NOUVELLE.ZELANDE Eseritoriu P(~rcz Machndo Apartado 656 Gordon & Gotch, Ltd. Conch: Cl PinaIlgo 11 CruDAD TRUJILLO Waring Taylor Street CARACAS ' WELLINGTON ECUADOR-EQUATEUR Munoz Hermanos y Cia. NICARAGUA YUGOSLAVIA-¥OUGOSLAVIE Nueve de Oetubre 703 Rarniro Ramirez V Dl'za"no PredU1.ece Casilla 10-24 Ageneia de PUblidaciones Jugoslovcnska Knjiga GUAYAQUIL MANAGUA, D. N. Moskovska Ul. 36 I3WGIlAD [.(IUJ( Printed in the U.S.A. Price in the United States: 50 cents 19 August 19'H~