-22-                             
 
                  #680, Nineteenth, from London             
 
                                                            
 
 
on charges such as murder rape or looting. In other words 
      the act of bearing arms against the state will not be regarded 
      as a crime in itself and will not be punished. I say this to 
      make it plain that there is no question of hostages being held 
      either by the Greek Government or by ourselves. We have not got 
      one. I now demand in the name of all parties and all members 
  of the house that EAM should release those hostages forthw
 
                                                            
 
 
I now come to deal with reports in the press that warrants 
      have been issued in Athens for the arrest of prominent EAM and 
      ELAS leaders. This story first appeared on 8th January and was 
      contradicted by the Greek Minis try of Foreign Affairs and by 
      us at the Foreign Office. Subsequent investigation has shown 
      that a police interpreter was responsible for the re-port. The 
      story was revived two or three days ago. I have today received 
      a telegram from His Majesty's Ambassador in Athens which states 
      that no such warrants have been issued. He has obtained personal 
      confirmation of this from the Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs. 
      There have also been references to a statement made by General 
      Plastiras to press correspondents that be could not agree to 
      an amnesty. I have stated that the declared intention of the 
      Greek Government is to take action only against those guilty 
      of crimes against the penal code