The Great Lie – Chapter 10
Risto Stefov
January 13, 2012
In a half-lit room, sitting by the table placed in front of the window with a view of Mount Bela Voda, Zahariadis was writing something. He took a small break, just enough to take two or three sips of his tea, and at that moment he heard a quiet knock on the door. He put his cup to the side, collected his papers and placed them inside a newspaper. He opened his appointment book and looked to see with whom he had an appointment. There was a second knock on the door. He stood up, walked to the door and pulled the latch. The platoon duty officer from the General Secretary Security services stood at attention and announced:
"Comrade Bardzotas has requested to see you sir! He awaits your response. What should I tell him Comrade Zahariadis?"
"Let him in…" responded Zahariadis with a disappointed tone of voice as he walked back to his table.
"Moments later Bardzotas appeared at the wide open door and after entering he apologetically said: "Forgive me Nikos, for disturbing you so early…" and, while looking out the corner of his eye at the mass of unfinished papers, asked, "Did I interrupt your work?"
"No, not at all. The newspaper," said Zahariadis in a stretched, yawning voice while pointing at the newspaper tossed in a pile of maps and papers, "I have been browsing the newspaper and drinking tea. Tea, will you have some tea? It is Georgian you know. Even Comrade Stalin drinks tea in the morning. Will you have some?"
Zahariadis, in the morning and evening, always served his guests Georgian tea, be it his visitors, people he had conversations with, or his closest aids. They all drank with him and continued to drink with him for as long as he was drinking. It was considered a special honour and despite burning their lips they slurped the tea to let him know that they were enjoying it; a sign of great pleasure. After that they often, in their circles, would say in passing: "You know, yesterday I had tea with Comrade Zahariadis…" just to let everyone know that they had friends in high places and to watch with whom they were messing!
When there was no Georgian tea, mountain tea harvested from Mount Gramos, Odreto, or from Mount Vrba in D´mbeni was brewed in the large teapot.
People from the Security Services platoon knew his weaknesses and always made sure that they brought him mountain tea in their backpacks.
"Georgian tea?!" inquired Bardzotas with an expressionless but captivating tone of voice.
"It would be a sin if I did not have tea from the homeland of the great Stalin. Of course I will have some… please." He knew that if he refused he would offend Stalin and Zahariadis. "I will have some, why not, even two cups! It is cold this morning and it will feel good to have some tea…" said Bardzotas with an appealing smile on his face.
While Zahariadis filled the cups with tea and placed them on the tray made of pure silver, Bardzotas justified his unannounced arrival:
"I, Nikos, came early to see you because I received an interesting letter from Paskalis."
Bardzotas pulled out an envelope from his officer´s leather briefcase, opened it, put it on the table and asked: "Will you read it or should I read it to you?"
Zahariadis handed him a cup of tea, looked at the letter and with an indifferent tone of voice said, "You read it!"
Bardzotas detected some dissatisfaction in Zahariadis´s tone of voice but it seemed more like impatience. He reached for the letter but with the outside of his hand he knocked Zahariadis´s pile of papers causing some dust to fly and then began to read:
"Dear Vassilis,
We are thinking about the congress. We believe there should be a formal part, with a festive event, one colour and celebration which will increase interest and strengthen the fighting spirit. It will greatly help our preparation and appearance if we had slogans photographs, symbolic shows, etc.
For that purpose we consider it necessary to put together several illustrated displays.
First. We will put together an illustrated poster symbolizing unity between a Slavo-Macedonian man and woman and a Greek man and woman, fighters of DAG (Democratic Army of Greece). Standing opposite one another they will be holding a rifle in one hand and offering their other hand in a gesture symbolizing a call to arms in a joint struggle. Standing behind them will be other fighters, men and women.
Written on the poster will be the slogans:
BROTHERHOOD
UNITY
INDEPENDENCE
PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC"
Bardzotas stopped reading for a moment and, while extending the letter to Zahariadis, he pointed with his finger:
"Look Nikos, Paskalis wrote a slogan in their language. It has been written in Slav letters, and further down, here you see it? Here is the written translation in the Greek language."
Zahariadis read the Greek text and while shaking his head said: "The part that has been written in their language looks to me like it was written in broken Russian. Vassilis, continue reading…"
Bardzotas shook the page and continued:
"Second. We will put together another poster that will symbolize the national liberation fighters and the national aspirations of the Macedonian people."
Zahariadis raised his hand and repeated, "The national liberation fighters and the national aspirations of the Macedonian people… Too many words, too many words, don´t you think Vassilis? Too many…" muttered Zahariadis and motioned for Bardzotas to continue reading.
"The poster will show a representation of a Macedonian man and woman…"
Bardzotas stopped reading for a moment and looked at Zahariadis´s face, gesturing that he wanted his opinion, but before Zahariadis had a chance to react he asked: "Further up Paskalis wrote about a Slavo-Macedonian man and woman and here, as if changing his position, he writes a Macedonian man and woman! Did you notice this, Nikos?"
"Yes, Vassilis, I noticed it, it is sad. The man, but not only him, seems as if he is lost or pretends that he is lost. Here Slavo-Macedonian, there Macedonian. He still has no clear idea, the poor man… of the concept. Continue reading!" responded Zahariadis.
"I will continue. Here is what he says further down: ´… in folk dress and with chains on their feet, tossed and broken. In the middle and slightly ahead there will be a Partisan carrying a shmaizer (rifle) that will represent the combat vanguard…´"
"What?!" Zahariadis shouted angrily.
"What, what?" replied Bardzotas.
"What is this Partisan with a shmaizer who will represent the combat vanguard? Did it not enter into his head our Fifth Plenum, during which we definitely decided that we are already an army? We always talk about an army, about a peoples´ revolutionary democratic army and here he writes about some Partisan! Good that he did not write Komita (armed revolutionary from the 1903 Ilinden Uprising against the Ottomans)! You should personally explain to him our Fifth Plenum resolutions. Continue reading," Zahariadis angrily exclaimed and began to pace around the room.
"Okay. I will continue… Here is what he wrote further down: ´… and behind him Partisians and others will follow as proof of the mass participation of our people in their unified struggle, workers and peasants fighting side by side with the progressive intelligentsia…´"
"Again he got mixed up, the poor man," said Zahariadis mockingly. "He is really mixed up. A true ´buchkurush´ salad. In one poster, think about it Vassilis, Slavo-Macedonians, Macedonians, DAG fighters, Partisans, village people, workers, progressive intellectuals, but he forgot what´s most important! The Party, Vassilis, he forgot the Party! He forgot that at the head of that table stands the Party! The Party, he forgot the Party which is the heart and brain! You should remind him of that when you see him! Read!"
"Okay. I will remind him. I will continue to read: ´At the front and on top, on one side there will be fire, which will represent military action and on the other there will be a sun which will rise, as an expression of the peoples´ national liberation which is forthcoming…´" Bardzotas was interrupted.
"Фантазер изобразителъного исскуства" (dreamer of fine arts) said Zahariadis in Russian as he laughed quietly. "Read!"
"Okay. ´On the front and side of the poster the following slogans will be written:
STRUGGLE
VICTORY
NATIONAL LIBERATION´"
"Let me see that!" interrupted Zahariadis extending his hand. "This is almost written in Russian! If only the last two words were written ´националъное освобождение´ (national liberation) then the entire slogan would be written in Russian and some would say that the Russians, not our Party, are in charge of NOF (Peoples´ Liberation Front). There is a great similarity. They are almost the same! What can you do, they are Slavic languages! And they are nicely set – ordered like steps on a staircase, of course, first comes the struggle, followed by victory and after victory comes national liberation. Vassilis, read!" concluded Zahariadis.
"Three. We will create badges, in honour of and in memory of the Congress. On top of the badge it will say ´NOF´ and on the bottom ´II Congress´. We will make 500 copies of each illustrated poster and of the badges. We here do not have the means or the capability to do these jobs. Therefore we ask that you accept our proposal and have them made abroad. We can send you a person who has some ideas and understanding of painting and who can help. You should be aware that we have scheduled the Congress to take place on March 25th. It would also be a good idea if at this Congress we give each delegate a gift; a pack of cigarettes for each man and a chocolate bar for each woman…"
Bardzotas stopped reading.
"Is that it?" asked Zahariadis.
"That´s it in regards to the Congress but there is something else," said Bardzotas opening a second envelope.
"Nikos, I have one more letter from Paskalis…"
"Does he want something again?" inquired Zahariadis.
"He wants something but it´s mostly information…" replied Bardzotas.
"What about?" interrupted Zahariadis.
"About some irregularities, according to him…" replied Bardzotas.
"Read…" interrupted Zahariadis.
"Here is what he has written: ´Another issue that we need to consider and which I bring to your attention is the desperate economic situation of the population in the areas of Popole and Kostenaria in Kostur Region especially after the recent massive expulsions. Many families took whatever they could carry, grain and livestock and fled for the free territories. Their grain however was confiscated by our army because it was needed for its own consumption. Similarly, their sheep were also confiscated under the condition that the army would return them after the families were settled in the villages in the free territories. Unfortunately many of the flocks have already been slaughtered for our Army´s consumption and what remains has been mixed with our trophy sheep, looked after by our 14th brigade. The families have now been settled in the free territories and are asking for the return of at least some of their sheep, which to date the brigade has not yet returned. Please look into these complaints and see what you can do. I must emphasize that in economic terms their situation is dire and their lives are in peril.
Also, our cadres working in the Kostur Region village fields have informed us that our quartermasters have been taking the entire crop from the villagers and have been leaving nothing for the families to eat. This has happened in the villages Tikveni, Zhilanishta, Izglebi and Zhelin.
On another matter, many Slavo-Macedonian cadres in DAG are underestimated…" paused Bardzotas, turning the page and continuing "… and they are treated as ordinary fighters while Greek cadres from Bulkesh are immediately promoted to assistants to the political commissars in the brigades responsible for the security of the battalion, quartermasters, etc…´
In addition here is a summary of what Paskalis wrote…"
"Don´t summarize, read!" ordered Zahariadis.
"Okay then. Here is what Paskalis wrote: ´the attitude of some Greek cadres such as Patsouras and Araianos for example, is appalling, especially when they yell orders like ´kill everyone who does not listen´, in public. This was happening at the beginning when territories were being establishing and people were shuffled from one place to another and did not know what was expected of them. This heartless attitude was also exhibited by the carriers of the wounded and by the workers, thus creating unfavourable working conditions for people, resulting in the desertion of many women... Some quartermasters and Partisans from the 107th Brigade also engaged in tyrannical and anti-social behaviour in the villages Armensko and Buf. One old Partisan terrorized the population in Armensko and did whatever he wanted. He literally took the bread out of peoples´ mouths. He was reported to the authorities but instead of arresting and trying him by military court, they allowed him to continue to go to the village and still terrorize the people.
On another matter, apples and tobacco were stolen from the village Buf. Quartermasters from the 11th division went to some houses in Armensko and took hay and grain without permission. They took 320 oki (an oka is a Turkish measure greater than a kilogram) of grain from Stavrovitsa Kurteva. From Ilia Tsutsov, a Partisan, they took 5 loads of hay and 40 oki of grain. From Iliov, a Partisan, they took the entire crop of tobacco that he had stored in his house. From Iovan Iovanov, a Partisan, they took 8 loads of hay. From Ristovitsa Iliovska they took 20 loads of hay and they took all of Kosta Markulov´s hay.
On another matter a quartermaster from the 107th Brigade, by the name of Spiros Pirei, was overheard advising young ladies in Buf to ´take up guns and then desert to the Burantari (the enemy)´. A brigade chief was heard cursing the carriers of the wounded, wishing for them all to ´die´ and afterwards he kept them out in the rain isolated in the forest for twenty-four hours. Some who had no overcoats he sent to Kolomnati to sleep in the church.
This kind of cruelty motivated Atina Gelemisinova to desert from the worker´s brigade. She, along with her mother, is now in jail at the Peoples´ Militia prison in the village Zhelevo. This woman had two brothers, DAG fighters, one was killed and the other was crippled in the battles in Gramos. The Peoples´ Militia has behaved very badly and has shown extreme cruelty towards the people…´"
Bardzotas stopped reading, placed the letter back into his briefcase and, after thinking for a moment, pulled out a yellow envelope, looked at Zahariadis and said, "This, Nikos, is addressed to you…"
"Who is it from?" inquired Zahariadis.
"It´s from Paskalis…" answered Bardzotas.
"Open it and read it to me!" requested Zahariadis.
"Give me a moment," replied Bardzotas while attempting to break the wax seal with his trembling fingers and open the envelope. The letter he pulled out was written in pencil on both sides of the paper. Bardzotas examined the writing carefully on both sides and said, "It´s good his handwriting is clear…"
"He is educated… A lawyer… Now read!" ordered Zahariadis.
"Okay," replied Bardzotas and began reading.
"Comrade Nikos,
The information about the cruelty that occurred in the villages Gorno and Dolno Drenoveni, Kolomnati, Pozdivishta and Gabresh, about which I informed you a few days ago, was given to me by a person named Dimitrios Soukaris from the village Tsrnovishta. He is responsible for the refugee children in Oshchima. The woman´s name that was assaulted is Lambrovitsa Petropoulou and she is from Gorno Drenoveni. The Partisans who assaulted her are from the 14th Brigade. Dimitrios does not know their names, they were at the village during the night. At the same time they slaughtered a pig and took it, cracked a cask of wine, took about 50 oki and left the rest to drain into the ground. At the same time they assaulted two more women from the same village and forced the three to dance the ´Eleno Mome´ dance. Lambrovitsa Petropoulou has three sons, Partisans, who served in DAG. One was killed and the other two were wounded. She also has a daughter serving as a Partisan and a second daughter assisting the refugee children in the Eastern European countries.
Dimitrios Soukaris also mentioned that the fighter Dime Popadin from the village Gorno Drenoveni who was serving in the 14th Brigade of DAG went to the village for something and found his wife and mother distressed from the assault and abuse they received from the DAG fighters from the 14th brigade. The next day Dime and his wife surrendered to the enemy in the Bukovik Locality. Dime was a Partisan since May 1947 and was wounded in the Gramos battles.
Dimitrios Soukaris also told me that several DAG fighters from the 14th Brigade broke into Petros Panopoulos´s house in the village Tsrnovishta and wanted to take things without permission. Petros Panopoulos is the father of three Partisans who have been wounded in battle. Petro´s wife tried to stop them but they overpowered her, beat her and one of them stepped on her stomach. Panopoulos told Soukaris that after that incident every night he stood in front of the house with an axe in his hands and he was prepared to kill everyone who came to the house. And if this situation continued, he said, he would burn his house down and flee to Kostur where he would report the incident to the newspapers…
Soukaris told me that at night when Partisans come knocking on their doors, people hide in the attic because they are afraid..."
"That´s all there is in the letter, Comrade Nikos…" concluded Bardzotas.
"Did Paskalis propose anything?" inquired Zahariadis.
"Yes he did… He proposed that appropriate measure be taken to punish the perpetrators..." replied Bardzotas.
"And you, Bardzotas, as a political commissar of the General Staff, do you have any knowledge of what the people are saying?" inquired Zahariadis.
"The people? The people, Nikos, are cursing. They are cursing," replied Bardzotas.
"That´s bad, very bad… When the people curse it means that they are dissatisfied and are losing confidence… Yes… We need to restore their confidence, right?" added Zahariadis.
"Yes, it is understandable," confirmed Bardzotas. He then went on to read what Paskalis wrote:
"Here is a statement from three women from the village Visheni, Kostur Region. They have complained about their children who we recently brought back from the Eastern European countries and mobilized in our army. They argue that their children are only 15 years old and are now serving in the 8th Unit of the 3rd Battalion. This is a serious issue being discussed in wider circles of people and there are criticisms, protests and controversies associated with it. Other mothers that have children in the Eastern European countries are angry, coming here crying and complaining and having fears that we will mobilize them as well and as such are seeking to have them returned to them. This kind of bad publicity is sure to be used by our enemies and rogue elements to create a negative atmosphere for us. There are rumours circulated that the majority of the mobilized children have been killed and wounded and some have been captured by the enemy. It is important that we, from our side, put together a commission to investigate this. It would be good if you too would look into this matter, of course, in the framework of determining our military needs."
Zahariadis stopped pacing. Standing with his back to Bardzotas, thoughtfully and with a stern voice, said: "A strictly kept secret has been leaked. This is not a matter for NOF, but a matter for the General Staff, especially of the Second Bureau! Immediately, today, now, start the investigation. The culprits that did this must be found and severely punished!" ordered Zahariadis.
"This is not all, Nikos. Paskalis also wrote..." replied Bardzotas.
"You came to me with good news, Vassilis!" interrupted Zahariadis.
"Here is what else Paskalis wrote," continued Bardzotas. "Another issue to consider is the question of the Slavo-Macedonians, in the Eastern European countries, not being schooled in the Macedonian language. This is a weakness of the Organization that to this day this issue has not been resolved. We will need your help. We want you to give us the teachers serving in DAG, who, as a result of bad wounds, can no longer fight. We can use them as teachers to teach our people."
Zahariadis suddenly stood up in front of Bardzotas, stared him in the eyes and with a quiet, calculating, hissing and threatening voice, asked:
"Tell me, did we have or did we not have Macedonian schools working in the free and semi-free territories from December 1947 to February 1948? Yes or no?!" demanded Zahariadis.
Bardzotas adjusted himself, fixed his glasses and said:
"I, Nikos, as you know am responsible for military issues and not for education…"
"But you are a member of the Central Committee Polit-Bureau," yelled Zahariadis in an angry voice, "and your duty is also to be interested in these things! Aren´t you a political commissar of the General Staff? If not you then who will comprehend the political damage done, eh?! And why do you think Paskalis sent you the letter, and not someone else? If the children were learning their native tongue under war conditions here then why have provisions not been made for them to learn their native language under the more ideal conditions, eh! Can you explain that to them?" demanded Zahariadis and after taking a few nervous steps around the room, stopped behind Bardzotas´s back and yelled out:
"I will tell you why, because someone out there is bent on sabotaging our entire political work with the Slavo-Macedonians. What we say? Whatever we promise? Whatever we ask of them? We need to begin an investigation immediately, find the culprits and send them to the front! Call Paskalis and tell him that we in the Polit-Bureau have carefully read and analyzed his letter, drawn some conclusions and will be taking severe measures to uncover the culprits. And also this; he is to call a meeting with his people from NOF and from AFZH (Women´s Anti-Fascist Front) and let them know that in regards to learning their native language we have contacted the highest political authorities in our Party and they are doing everything they can to push aside these problems. Tell him we have taken all necessary measures to improve all conditions.
They will be happy to hear of this and they will be proud. Paskalis too among them will improve his situation of disunity. Also, give Paskalis my regards and assure him that I personally have pledged to make things right. Don´t stand here, go now and ask for him to come to you. Find him before those in Skopje find out about this. Go! If those in Skopje find out about this there will be problems for us. Go, you are free to go!" concluded Zahariadis.
By Petre Nakovski
Translated and edited by Risto Stefov
Other articles by Risto Stefov:
http://www.maknews.com/html/articles.html#stefov
http://www.americanchronicle.com/authors/view/3446
Free electronic books by Risto Stefov available at:
http://makedonskakafana.com/ebooks.html
Our Name is Macedonia
www.mhrmi.org/our_name_is_macedonia
You can contact the author at rstefov@hotmail.com
"Comrade Bardzotas has requested to see you sir! He awaits your response. What should I tell him Comrade Zahariadis?"
"Let him in…" responded Zahariadis with a disappointed tone of voice as he walked back to his table.
"Moments later Bardzotas appeared at the wide open door and after entering he apologetically said: "Forgive me Nikos, for disturbing you so early…" and, while looking out the corner of his eye at the mass of unfinished papers, asked, "Did I interrupt your work?"
"No, not at all. The newspaper," said Zahariadis in a stretched, yawning voice while pointing at the newspaper tossed in a pile of maps and papers, "I have been browsing the newspaper and drinking tea. Tea, will you have some tea? It is Georgian you know. Even Comrade Stalin drinks tea in the morning. Will you have some?"
Zahariadis, in the morning and evening, always served his guests Georgian tea, be it his visitors, people he had conversations with, or his closest aids. They all drank with him and continued to drink with him for as long as he was drinking. It was considered a special honour and despite burning their lips they slurped the tea to let him know that they were enjoying it; a sign of great pleasure. After that they often, in their circles, would say in passing: "You know, yesterday I had tea with Comrade Zahariadis…" just to let everyone know that they had friends in high places and to watch with whom they were messing!
When there was no Georgian tea, mountain tea harvested from Mount Gramos, Odreto, or from Mount Vrba in D´mbeni was brewed in the large teapot.
People from the Security Services platoon knew his weaknesses and always made sure that they brought him mountain tea in their backpacks.
"Georgian tea?!" inquired Bardzotas with an expressionless but captivating tone of voice.
"It would be a sin if I did not have tea from the homeland of the great Stalin. Of course I will have some… please." He knew that if he refused he would offend Stalin and Zahariadis. "I will have some, why not, even two cups! It is cold this morning and it will feel good to have some tea…" said Bardzotas with an appealing smile on his face.
While Zahariadis filled the cups with tea and placed them on the tray made of pure silver, Bardzotas justified his unannounced arrival:
"I, Nikos, came early to see you because I received an interesting letter from Paskalis."
Bardzotas pulled out an envelope from his officer´s leather briefcase, opened it, put it on the table and asked: "Will you read it or should I read it to you?"
Zahariadis handed him a cup of tea, looked at the letter and with an indifferent tone of voice said, "You read it!"
Bardzotas detected some dissatisfaction in Zahariadis´s tone of voice but it seemed more like impatience. He reached for the letter but with the outside of his hand he knocked Zahariadis´s pile of papers causing some dust to fly and then began to read:
"Dear Vassilis,
We are thinking about the congress. We believe there should be a formal part, with a festive event, one colour and celebration which will increase interest and strengthen the fighting spirit. It will greatly help our preparation and appearance if we had slogans photographs, symbolic shows, etc.
For that purpose we consider it necessary to put together several illustrated displays.
First. We will put together an illustrated poster symbolizing unity between a Slavo-Macedonian man and woman and a Greek man and woman, fighters of DAG (Democratic Army of Greece). Standing opposite one another they will be holding a rifle in one hand and offering their other hand in a gesture symbolizing a call to arms in a joint struggle. Standing behind them will be other fighters, men and women.
Written on the poster will be the slogans:
BROTHERHOOD
UNITY
INDEPENDENCE
PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC"
Bardzotas stopped reading for a moment and, while extending the letter to Zahariadis, he pointed with his finger:
"Look Nikos, Paskalis wrote a slogan in their language. It has been written in Slav letters, and further down, here you see it? Here is the written translation in the Greek language."
Zahariadis read the Greek text and while shaking his head said: "The part that has been written in their language looks to me like it was written in broken Russian. Vassilis, continue reading…"
Bardzotas shook the page and continued:
"Second. We will put together another poster that will symbolize the national liberation fighters and the national aspirations of the Macedonian people."
Zahariadis raised his hand and repeated, "The national liberation fighters and the national aspirations of the Macedonian people… Too many words, too many words, don´t you think Vassilis? Too many…" muttered Zahariadis and motioned for Bardzotas to continue reading.
"The poster will show a representation of a Macedonian man and woman…"
Bardzotas stopped reading for a moment and looked at Zahariadis´s face, gesturing that he wanted his opinion, but before Zahariadis had a chance to react he asked: "Further up Paskalis wrote about a Slavo-Macedonian man and woman and here, as if changing his position, he writes a Macedonian man and woman! Did you notice this, Nikos?"
"Yes, Vassilis, I noticed it, it is sad. The man, but not only him, seems as if he is lost or pretends that he is lost. Here Slavo-Macedonian, there Macedonian. He still has no clear idea, the poor man… of the concept. Continue reading!" responded Zahariadis.
"I will continue. Here is what he says further down: ´… in folk dress and with chains on their feet, tossed and broken. In the middle and slightly ahead there will be a Partisan carrying a shmaizer (rifle) that will represent the combat vanguard…´"
"What?!" Zahariadis shouted angrily.
"What, what?" replied Bardzotas.
"What is this Partisan with a shmaizer who will represent the combat vanguard? Did it not enter into his head our Fifth Plenum, during which we definitely decided that we are already an army? We always talk about an army, about a peoples´ revolutionary democratic army and here he writes about some Partisan! Good that he did not write Komita (armed revolutionary from the 1903 Ilinden Uprising against the Ottomans)! You should personally explain to him our Fifth Plenum resolutions. Continue reading," Zahariadis angrily exclaimed and began to pace around the room.
"Okay. I will continue… Here is what he wrote further down: ´… and behind him Partisians and others will follow as proof of the mass participation of our people in their unified struggle, workers and peasants fighting side by side with the progressive intelligentsia…´"
"Again he got mixed up, the poor man," said Zahariadis mockingly. "He is really mixed up. A true ´buchkurush´ salad. In one poster, think about it Vassilis, Slavo-Macedonians, Macedonians, DAG fighters, Partisans, village people, workers, progressive intellectuals, but he forgot what´s most important! The Party, Vassilis, he forgot the Party! He forgot that at the head of that table stands the Party! The Party, he forgot the Party which is the heart and brain! You should remind him of that when you see him! Read!"
"Okay. I will remind him. I will continue to read: ´At the front and on top, on one side there will be fire, which will represent military action and on the other there will be a sun which will rise, as an expression of the peoples´ national liberation which is forthcoming…´" Bardzotas was interrupted.
"Фантазер изобразителъного исскуства" (dreamer of fine arts) said Zahariadis in Russian as he laughed quietly. "Read!"
"Okay. ´On the front and side of the poster the following slogans will be written:
STRUGGLE
VICTORY
NATIONAL LIBERATION´"
"Let me see that!" interrupted Zahariadis extending his hand. "This is almost written in Russian! If only the last two words were written ´националъное освобождение´ (national liberation) then the entire slogan would be written in Russian and some would say that the Russians, not our Party, are in charge of NOF (Peoples´ Liberation Front). There is a great similarity. They are almost the same! What can you do, they are Slavic languages! And they are nicely set – ordered like steps on a staircase, of course, first comes the struggle, followed by victory and after victory comes national liberation. Vassilis, read!" concluded Zahariadis.
"Three. We will create badges, in honour of and in memory of the Congress. On top of the badge it will say ´NOF´ and on the bottom ´II Congress´. We will make 500 copies of each illustrated poster and of the badges. We here do not have the means or the capability to do these jobs. Therefore we ask that you accept our proposal and have them made abroad. We can send you a person who has some ideas and understanding of painting and who can help. You should be aware that we have scheduled the Congress to take place on March 25th. It would also be a good idea if at this Congress we give each delegate a gift; a pack of cigarettes for each man and a chocolate bar for each woman…"
Bardzotas stopped reading.
"Is that it?" asked Zahariadis.
"That´s it in regards to the Congress but there is something else," said Bardzotas opening a second envelope.
"Nikos, I have one more letter from Paskalis…"
"Does he want something again?" inquired Zahariadis.
"He wants something but it´s mostly information…" replied Bardzotas.
"What about?" interrupted Zahariadis.
"About some irregularities, according to him…" replied Bardzotas.
"Read…" interrupted Zahariadis.
"Here is what he has written: ´Another issue that we need to consider and which I bring to your attention is the desperate economic situation of the population in the areas of Popole and Kostenaria in Kostur Region especially after the recent massive expulsions. Many families took whatever they could carry, grain and livestock and fled for the free territories. Their grain however was confiscated by our army because it was needed for its own consumption. Similarly, their sheep were also confiscated under the condition that the army would return them after the families were settled in the villages in the free territories. Unfortunately many of the flocks have already been slaughtered for our Army´s consumption and what remains has been mixed with our trophy sheep, looked after by our 14th brigade. The families have now been settled in the free territories and are asking for the return of at least some of their sheep, which to date the brigade has not yet returned. Please look into these complaints and see what you can do. I must emphasize that in economic terms their situation is dire and their lives are in peril.
Also, our cadres working in the Kostur Region village fields have informed us that our quartermasters have been taking the entire crop from the villagers and have been leaving nothing for the families to eat. This has happened in the villages Tikveni, Zhilanishta, Izglebi and Zhelin.
On another matter, many Slavo-Macedonian cadres in DAG are underestimated…" paused Bardzotas, turning the page and continuing "… and they are treated as ordinary fighters while Greek cadres from Bulkesh are immediately promoted to assistants to the political commissars in the brigades responsible for the security of the battalion, quartermasters, etc…´
In addition here is a summary of what Paskalis wrote…"
"Don´t summarize, read!" ordered Zahariadis.
"Okay then. Here is what Paskalis wrote: ´the attitude of some Greek cadres such as Patsouras and Araianos for example, is appalling, especially when they yell orders like ´kill everyone who does not listen´, in public. This was happening at the beginning when territories were being establishing and people were shuffled from one place to another and did not know what was expected of them. This heartless attitude was also exhibited by the carriers of the wounded and by the workers, thus creating unfavourable working conditions for people, resulting in the desertion of many women... Some quartermasters and Partisans from the 107th Brigade also engaged in tyrannical and anti-social behaviour in the villages Armensko and Buf. One old Partisan terrorized the population in Armensko and did whatever he wanted. He literally took the bread out of peoples´ mouths. He was reported to the authorities but instead of arresting and trying him by military court, they allowed him to continue to go to the village and still terrorize the people.
On another matter, apples and tobacco were stolen from the village Buf. Quartermasters from the 11th division went to some houses in Armensko and took hay and grain without permission. They took 320 oki (an oka is a Turkish measure greater than a kilogram) of grain from Stavrovitsa Kurteva. From Ilia Tsutsov, a Partisan, they took 5 loads of hay and 40 oki of grain. From Iliov, a Partisan, they took the entire crop of tobacco that he had stored in his house. From Iovan Iovanov, a Partisan, they took 8 loads of hay. From Ristovitsa Iliovska they took 20 loads of hay and they took all of Kosta Markulov´s hay.
On another matter a quartermaster from the 107th Brigade, by the name of Spiros Pirei, was overheard advising young ladies in Buf to ´take up guns and then desert to the Burantari (the enemy)´. A brigade chief was heard cursing the carriers of the wounded, wishing for them all to ´die´ and afterwards he kept them out in the rain isolated in the forest for twenty-four hours. Some who had no overcoats he sent to Kolomnati to sleep in the church.
This kind of cruelty motivated Atina Gelemisinova to desert from the worker´s brigade. She, along with her mother, is now in jail at the Peoples´ Militia prison in the village Zhelevo. This woman had two brothers, DAG fighters, one was killed and the other was crippled in the battles in Gramos. The Peoples´ Militia has behaved very badly and has shown extreme cruelty towards the people…´"
Bardzotas stopped reading, placed the letter back into his briefcase and, after thinking for a moment, pulled out a yellow envelope, looked at Zahariadis and said, "This, Nikos, is addressed to you…"
"Who is it from?" inquired Zahariadis.
"It´s from Paskalis…" answered Bardzotas.
"Open it and read it to me!" requested Zahariadis.
"Give me a moment," replied Bardzotas while attempting to break the wax seal with his trembling fingers and open the envelope. The letter he pulled out was written in pencil on both sides of the paper. Bardzotas examined the writing carefully on both sides and said, "It´s good his handwriting is clear…"
"He is educated… A lawyer… Now read!" ordered Zahariadis.
"Okay," replied Bardzotas and began reading.
"Comrade Nikos,
The information about the cruelty that occurred in the villages Gorno and Dolno Drenoveni, Kolomnati, Pozdivishta and Gabresh, about which I informed you a few days ago, was given to me by a person named Dimitrios Soukaris from the village Tsrnovishta. He is responsible for the refugee children in Oshchima. The woman´s name that was assaulted is Lambrovitsa Petropoulou and she is from Gorno Drenoveni. The Partisans who assaulted her are from the 14th Brigade. Dimitrios does not know their names, they were at the village during the night. At the same time they slaughtered a pig and took it, cracked a cask of wine, took about 50 oki and left the rest to drain into the ground. At the same time they assaulted two more women from the same village and forced the three to dance the ´Eleno Mome´ dance. Lambrovitsa Petropoulou has three sons, Partisans, who served in DAG. One was killed and the other two were wounded. She also has a daughter serving as a Partisan and a second daughter assisting the refugee children in the Eastern European countries.
Dimitrios Soukaris also mentioned that the fighter Dime Popadin from the village Gorno Drenoveni who was serving in the 14th Brigade of DAG went to the village for something and found his wife and mother distressed from the assault and abuse they received from the DAG fighters from the 14th brigade. The next day Dime and his wife surrendered to the enemy in the Bukovik Locality. Dime was a Partisan since May 1947 and was wounded in the Gramos battles.
Dimitrios Soukaris also told me that several DAG fighters from the 14th Brigade broke into Petros Panopoulos´s house in the village Tsrnovishta and wanted to take things without permission. Petros Panopoulos is the father of three Partisans who have been wounded in battle. Petro´s wife tried to stop them but they overpowered her, beat her and one of them stepped on her stomach. Panopoulos told Soukaris that after that incident every night he stood in front of the house with an axe in his hands and he was prepared to kill everyone who came to the house. And if this situation continued, he said, he would burn his house down and flee to Kostur where he would report the incident to the newspapers…
Soukaris told me that at night when Partisans come knocking on their doors, people hide in the attic because they are afraid..."
"That´s all there is in the letter, Comrade Nikos…" concluded Bardzotas.
"Did Paskalis propose anything?" inquired Zahariadis.
"Yes he did… He proposed that appropriate measure be taken to punish the perpetrators..." replied Bardzotas.
"And you, Bardzotas, as a political commissar of the General Staff, do you have any knowledge of what the people are saying?" inquired Zahariadis.
"The people? The people, Nikos, are cursing. They are cursing," replied Bardzotas.
"That´s bad, very bad… When the people curse it means that they are dissatisfied and are losing confidence… Yes… We need to restore their confidence, right?" added Zahariadis.
"Yes, it is understandable," confirmed Bardzotas. He then went on to read what Paskalis wrote:
"Here is a statement from three women from the village Visheni, Kostur Region. They have complained about their children who we recently brought back from the Eastern European countries and mobilized in our army. They argue that their children are only 15 years old and are now serving in the 8th Unit of the 3rd Battalion. This is a serious issue being discussed in wider circles of people and there are criticisms, protests and controversies associated with it. Other mothers that have children in the Eastern European countries are angry, coming here crying and complaining and having fears that we will mobilize them as well and as such are seeking to have them returned to them. This kind of bad publicity is sure to be used by our enemies and rogue elements to create a negative atmosphere for us. There are rumours circulated that the majority of the mobilized children have been killed and wounded and some have been captured by the enemy. It is important that we, from our side, put together a commission to investigate this. It would be good if you too would look into this matter, of course, in the framework of determining our military needs."
Zahariadis stopped pacing. Standing with his back to Bardzotas, thoughtfully and with a stern voice, said: "A strictly kept secret has been leaked. This is not a matter for NOF, but a matter for the General Staff, especially of the Second Bureau! Immediately, today, now, start the investigation. The culprits that did this must be found and severely punished!" ordered Zahariadis.
"This is not all, Nikos. Paskalis also wrote..." replied Bardzotas.
"You came to me with good news, Vassilis!" interrupted Zahariadis.
"Here is what else Paskalis wrote," continued Bardzotas. "Another issue to consider is the question of the Slavo-Macedonians, in the Eastern European countries, not being schooled in the Macedonian language. This is a weakness of the Organization that to this day this issue has not been resolved. We will need your help. We want you to give us the teachers serving in DAG, who, as a result of bad wounds, can no longer fight. We can use them as teachers to teach our people."
Zahariadis suddenly stood up in front of Bardzotas, stared him in the eyes and with a quiet, calculating, hissing and threatening voice, asked:
"Tell me, did we have or did we not have Macedonian schools working in the free and semi-free territories from December 1947 to February 1948? Yes or no?!" demanded Zahariadis.
Bardzotas adjusted himself, fixed his glasses and said:
"I, Nikos, as you know am responsible for military issues and not for education…"
"But you are a member of the Central Committee Polit-Bureau," yelled Zahariadis in an angry voice, "and your duty is also to be interested in these things! Aren´t you a political commissar of the General Staff? If not you then who will comprehend the political damage done, eh?! And why do you think Paskalis sent you the letter, and not someone else? If the children were learning their native tongue under war conditions here then why have provisions not been made for them to learn their native language under the more ideal conditions, eh! Can you explain that to them?" demanded Zahariadis and after taking a few nervous steps around the room, stopped behind Bardzotas´s back and yelled out:
"I will tell you why, because someone out there is bent on sabotaging our entire political work with the Slavo-Macedonians. What we say? Whatever we promise? Whatever we ask of them? We need to begin an investigation immediately, find the culprits and send them to the front! Call Paskalis and tell him that we in the Polit-Bureau have carefully read and analyzed his letter, drawn some conclusions and will be taking severe measures to uncover the culprits. And also this; he is to call a meeting with his people from NOF and from AFZH (Women´s Anti-Fascist Front) and let them know that in regards to learning their native language we have contacted the highest political authorities in our Party and they are doing everything they can to push aside these problems. Tell him we have taken all necessary measures to improve all conditions.
They will be happy to hear of this and they will be proud. Paskalis too among them will improve his situation of disunity. Also, give Paskalis my regards and assure him that I personally have pledged to make things right. Don´t stand here, go now and ask for him to come to you. Find him before those in Skopje find out about this. Go! If those in Skopje find out about this there will be problems for us. Go, you are free to go!" concluded Zahariadis.
By Petre Nakovski
Translated and edited by Risto Stefov
Other articles by Risto Stefov:
http://www.maknews.com/html/articles.html#stefov
http://www.americanchronicle.com/authors/view/3446
Free electronic books by Risto Stefov available at:
http://makedonskakafana.com/ebooks.html
Our Name is Macedonia
www.mhrmi.org/our_name_is_macedonia
You can contact the author at rstefov@hotmail.com
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