Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-07-20
U. n. Delegates Fear
Critical Week End
Events in Balkans
BY the Assoe;osed Press

by me Assoe,ofed Press
LAKE SUCCESS, July ia ris-
ing uneasiness among some United
Nations delegates over the posi-
bility of new developments in the
Balkans this week end was re-
fected today In reports from Greece
Both American. and. British off,
Gals were understood to feel there
might be sudden turn Of affairs
in Greece at this moment that
would has direct and critical effect
on the American proposal to estab-
lish q United Nations border watch
over the Balkans.
Authoritative sources said these
officials were concerned over reports
that the Communists may be at
tempting to establish a Communist
state In Northern Greece.
Greek War Minister George
Stratos last Tuesday pictured the
reported guerrilla offensive along
the Greek-Albanian frontier as an
effort to establish Communist
state. Communist sources have
limited at the same motive.
But Brig. Stylianos Manidakis,
speaking for the Greek general staff
at a news conference in Athens
Friday night, declared there was no
evidence of an effort to set up an
free Communist state in Greece and
said no elements of an "interna-
tional brigade" were fighting on the
side of guerrillas engaged against
government forces in the northwest.
Contradictions Cause Confusion:
Brig. Manidakis' statement came
Immediately after a United Nations
field team few to the battle zone
and returned to report it had heard
little first-hand evidence" of an in
ternational brigade invading from
Albania.
But apparently not satisfied with
the teams report, the full United
Nations subsidiary commission
moved into Northwestern Greece
today to carry out further inyes-
tigstion of the Greek charges.
Apparent contradictions among
various Greek officials over the
existence of an international brigade
from Albania caused confusion
among United Nation delegates.
Some sources here said on the
basis ofahis it appeared there might
be a division of opinion within the
Greek government They said II
there was such split, it might do
harm to the Greek case in the Sc
curity Council.
American and British officials said
they were convinced that some
thing" was going on in Northwestern
Greece. They said they hoped 10
have information over the week
end from their own representatives
which would clarity the situation.
Showdown Seen on U. S. Plan.
American and British sources said
they hoped that present develop
nents in Greece would not divert
the attention of the Security Coun-
eli from taking decisive action, on
the American proposal to set up a
SeIn1pSIIIldIlCIlU COilllll4c~'lOii w NeNNAA
over the Balkan frontiers.
General debate on the Balkan
problem in the Council was closed
yesterday, thus apparently clearing
the way for a showdown-possibly
late next week-on the American
proposal. -,
In an attempt to speed up action
the Council scheduled five sessions
next week on the Balkan problem.
Also before the Council is Rus
sian resolution turning down the
commission idea and demanding
that the Greek government take
measures TO end the strife 1Fsse, n.
There was still some behind the
scenes maneuvering by some dele
gates to reconcile the opposed Amer
lean and Russian proposals. But
American officials repeated that
they would not bulge from their
position if it meant watering down
their commission plan.
Speculation on Russia Split.
Council delegates remained di-
vided in specializing what Russia
will do when the American proposal
comes up for a vote. Some dele
gates were convinced that Soviet
Deputy Foreign Minister Andrea Al.
Gromyko would veto the plan.
Others were just as convinced that
he would abstain and then lead the
three Soviet satellites-Yugoslavia,
Bulgaria and Albanian boycottlng
the commission.
Mr.. Gromyko contends that under
the U. N. Charter chapter, on which
the Greek case is based, only a rec
omenda tion-and not decisive action
can be taken by the Council. He
told the Council that the Balkan
countries were not bound to Coop
crate with the commission if it is
established.
American sources admitted that
Mr.. Gromyko has a legal argu-
ment. but said they were certain it
would not hold up. They pointed
out that both Bulgaria and Albania
as nonmembers of U. N. had given
their pledges to abide by any de-
cisions the Council might take when
they accepted an invitation to par
ticipate in the case.