Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Towards the end of February in 1948, news came to the village that the children would be collected and sent somewhere where it was more peaceful. However, where it was more peaceful and how far away this peaceful place was, nobody knew. The people, amongst themselves, were asking, even those who for one reason or another were part of the village government, like Lazo and Kuze who found ways to reach out and start conversations, but returned home disappointed. Only the Glirov family, a family with many children, one night quietly left the village and from what was heard from the villagers, moved to Rupishta. From there they sent news that the communists were going to gather the children and exchange them for cannons. This was enough to be bitten by the worm of doubt.

News quickly traveled to the Greek authorities in Kostur. The advice given to the people by the Greek police chief in Kostur, together with the garrison commander, the mayor and the bishop, was to do nothing and wait to be notified by the government in Athens. And hence, a person from Athens soon came, gathered the people together and told them the following: “Her Majesty Queen Frederica started to organize homes that will accept the children of the families who voluntarily want to give them to the state, under their protection, and that of Her Majesty the Queen. These homes will be located in the vicinity of Athens. And as for the communists collecting children; this is of interest to the government. Let them begin to collect the children and when they do start, the government, in front of the whole world, will accuse them of committing genocide. So, ladies and gentlemen, let them gather the children and the whole world will know about it and detest them for it. The government, with help from its allies, knows how to properly use this and inform the world of it. And when they leave, don’t try to stop them. Let them go...”

“We, sir,” said the police chief, “would like to convey to the government that here we will soon know how the communists will do this. We will soon also know where they are going to pass. We have our network. I am very pleased; I am saying that I am very pleased, because the government made such a decision. The communists have seized the opportunity to accuse the government

of killing the children. Therefore I suggest that, in the days when they are leaving, our units stay put. I also suggest that the air force stays put also. If they want them to leave their native place then let them. It would be even better if they take them beyond our borders...”

“Yes,” interrupted the government representative, “that’s only logical. Let them go. We will gain much by it. As I said, the world will find the communists guilty of genocide. And, on the other hand, it will increase the fighting spirit of our soldiers because every one of them will know that they are abducting our children, and they will fight harder to protect their own children and their brothers and sisters. And gentlemen, one day the war will end and of course in our favour. And what does that mean, gentlemen? It means that we will be the ones who will decide whether to allow them to return or not, and if we allow them to return, we will dictate the terms...”

The consultations ended late in the night and all suggestions made by Athens were accepted without objection. The next day Captain Peter Rogers carefully listened to the police chief while they were having coffee.

The chief said: “Yes, Captain Rogers. You were right when you said to me that we should let them go to the mountains. And now… now they are preparing to take the children somewhere. Let them take them away. And finally, Captain, above all they are primarily the children of Slavo-phone parents who, together with their older brothers and sisters, are fighting against us. There are many reasons to complain about it. But let them get lost... You can be certain that one day they will want to return to see their birthplace, to visit the graves of their ancestors. Well, then that’s when, Captain, we will be singing. We will decide whether they will be able to do that and under what conditions.”

The chief stopped talking for a moment and imagined how his own voice sounded as he looked at Rogers’s face to see the impression he left on him. He continued: “Yes, Captain, we will be setting the conditions... And yes, we will enact laws Captain... Let them, let them get lost. If they go, for them, this country will be closed; and not only the doors but also the windows. And for those who decide

to remain we will make sure that the borders are open for them… but only in one direction… out... and for good. Now we will not bother them. Let them send their children away. We will tell everyone that they will be selling them as slaves, and that they will turn the children into janissaries and we will never see them again, not after we fill their heads with dark thoughts. Let them live in misery and let them never have any peace. The uncertainty that we will instill in them will leave them helpless, vulnerable, hopeless and in constant fear. Day and night...” the chief went silent again, lit a cigarette and then turned to Rogers and, while looking into his eyes, asked: “Captain, do you have children?”

“Yes, I have two...” replied Rogers.

“Where are they?” asked the chief.

“They are with their mother living in a small town in Southern England,” the captain replied.

“So for sure they are safe and living in peace?” asked the chief.

“Yes for sure… but I am not sure that I am safe and living in peace, Chief,” replied Rogers.