countries in the Balkens about, which I must say a word or two - Yugoslavia and Greece inevitable that three years of enemy occupation and guerilla fighting there is not a little internal confusion and chaos. It must be remembered that German propaganda, day and night, is trying to increase confusion, trying to spread false reports of our intentions, trying to divide us from our Allies and play one off against the other. So I hope I may say to the House that in approaching these matters in public discussion we should use all possible restraint and above all, if I may add it, resist the temptation of fighting our own elections in all these Balkan lands. I laid down some time ago, with the assent of the cabinet, of course, three rules to try to guide us in this state of affairs, and I will give them to the House. First, to give all the practical help in our power to those elements in these countries which are actively resisting the enemy. Second, to make clear that so far as we can exert any authority it shall be used to ensure that these countries shall be free to choose their governments when they are liberated. Third, to work in the closest possible concert with our Allies. Having said so much, may we, on the basis of these rules, look at Yugoslavia? For many months past the head and front of resistance to the enemy in Yugoslavia have been the Partisans under their Commander-in-chief, General Tito. From all the reports which we have received it is clear that these Partisans are containing and engaging a large number of German divisions. We are them in every possible way. Our action in this respect has, of course, been endorsed by our Allies. Mr. Bellenger (Bassetlaw): By whom has it been endorsed Mr. Eden: By the Soviet Government and the United States Government several times over, at various conferences. Now if I may I would like to go back a little into past history. I want to show the House the development in this matter. As %a result of information which we had, we decided as long ago as the spring of is year that we should ask General Tito to receive a British military mission. He replied, "Yes", and British officers have been with him ever since. Our mission has been and, as it happens, leadership of a member of this House, my Hon. and Gallant Friend the member for Lancaster (Brigadier Fitzroy MacLeAn) |