Scandinavian American. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1945-1958, 1948-01-01


Langhelle recently outlined his
countrys views on the Greek
question. Listing causes, TIL
speaker pointed to tension between
Greece and her northern neighbors
as we'll as to the sharp conflicts
within the country itself, noting
how minorities on both sides of
the border naturally attempt to
seek support from their co-nation-
ais in neighbor states" The real
danger was seen, however, in 1.-The
fact that we are here dealing with
a conflict in which the interests of
different powers are engaged"
He then expressed Norway's
views on the U. N. Commission of
Investigations report. While laid
and support" to Greek guerillas
from across the borders of the
three neighboring states was rec
ognized, a still more basic cause
for unrest was seen. Such aid
does not seem to have been given
on any large SCALE" he stressed
land 1 can not see that the evil
dence bears out the contention
that this aid and assistance con-
stitutes the main reason for the
existing state of unrest within
Greece" He noted, however, that
the failure of governments con-
cerned to stop this activity con-
stitutes "a grave sin of omission
in relation to the obligations laid
down in the Charter"
The speaker continued to empha-
size that, The inner antagonisms
of Greece which, as will be under
stood, in the opinion of the Nor
wegian Delegation are the main
causes of the present disturbed
border situation, do not in them
selves constitute danger to in
ternational peace and security"
The main threat was seen to be
lin the fact that these inner con-
flicts and this international ten
sion work themselves out in a
region where Great Power inter-
ests and world ideologies clash.
Minister Langhelle voiced his
conviction that the Great Powers
together with all the United Ma
tons desire to see a free and in
dependent Greece. But" he en-
phasized, I'VE have-all of us. l
am sure, a strong feeling that each
of the Great Powers fears that
some other power might take ad-
vantage of the disturbances in
Greece and use them as pretext
for interfering with a view to Sc
curing its own interests. 1t seems
clear to me that the mutual sus-
picion between the Great Powers
in this case, as in so many others,
is among the main causes of the
present difficulties"
In a three point proposal. he
called for % the immediate halt
of all frontier activities in viola
ton of the Charter and of estab-
lished international law as well as
the restoration of normal diplo-
matte relations between Greece
and her northern neighbors; GU in
ternal appeasement with the help
of outside economic aid; 80 and
the bending of every effort to
overcome the mutual suspicion
among the Great Powers in this
question. Here, he emphasized that
the Norwegian Delegation, has
no doubt that in this respect, the
difficulties would be greatly
lessened if and when the Greek
Government in agreement with the
powers concerned could see its
way to dispense with the presence
of foreign military forces on
Greek soil"
Disagreement was expressed
with the United States resolution
placing full responsibility for the
present disturbances on Greece's
three northern neighbors. The dele
CATION doubted whether the evil
dence produced by the Commission
of Investigation and its subsidiary
body justifies such a definite con-
clusion, especially in the case of
Bulgaria"
In closing Minister Langhelle