§ 10. Mr. G. Straussasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has any information to show whether any progress has been made in consolidating the Greek guerilla organisations; whether Colonel Zervas is co-operating fully with the national liberation movement; whether we are giving him or the other guerilla movements any support; and what is the relationship of the national liberation movement and Colonel Zervas to the Greek Government.
§ Mr. EdenNo agreement has yet been reported between the Greek guerillas, but there are now good prospects of an early settlement. As my hon. Friend will be aware, the Greek Prime Minister has appealed to all the Greek guerillas to unite 154 against the enemy, and his message has been endorsed by the British, American and Soviet Governments. Colonel Zervas has already expressed his readiness to negotiate for a settlement and a reply from the National Liberation Movement is awaited. As regards the latter part of the Question, it is our policy, as I stated to the House on 15th December, to support all those who are prepared to fight the Germans. We shall fulfil this policy in Greece to the limit of our resources, but our plans cannot achieve their full effect until a settlement between the guerillas is finally concluded. It is, therefore, our earnest hope that the rival bands will be reconciled and present a united front against the enemy. It is no less essential that this unity, once it has been achieved, should be maintained both during the war and after the liberation of the country. Without such unity the work of distributing relief will inevitably be hampered and the sufferings of the Greek people will thus be needlessly prolonged.