CYPRUS: THOUSANDS MAKE PILGRIMAGE TO LIMASSOL HOUSE WHERE GUERRILLA LEADER GEORGE GRIVAS DIED.

Record ID: 229733

  • Title: CYPRUS: THOUSANDS MAKE PILGRIMAGE TO LIMASSOL HOUSE WHERE GUERRILLA LEADER GEORGE GRIVAS DIED.
  • Date: 29th January 1974
  • Summary: 1. GV People gathered outside former Eoka hideout 0.08 2. GV and SV People arriving with flowers (4 shots) 0.32 3. GV Crowd in street 0.37 4. GV Crowds arriving with wreaths (4 shots) 0.56 5. MV Grivas lying in state, while relations weep (3 shots) 1.17 6. GTV Crowds mass outside (2 shots) 1.28 Initials BB/2208 TH/AH/GM/2222 Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 13th February 1974 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: LIMASSOL, CYPRUS
  • Country: Cyprus
  • Reuters ID: LVA1ECVA89UGOV36CPNNZX3MHY1O
  • Story Text: Cyprus guerrilla leader General George Grivas -- who spent much of his life fighting against the German and British occupation of Cyprus, then against the government of President Makarios -- died of a heart attack on Sunday (January 27) at the age of 75.

    Immediately the news was announced, hugo crowds converged on the house in Limassol where General Grivas had died. For the next two days, the crowds continued to grow -- while a guard of honour recruited from members of his Eoka B guerrilla band watched over the body.

    The house where General Grivas died was the hideout from which he directed his original Eoka campaign against British rule in the 1950s, a campaign that ended ini independence for the Mediterranean island. Since the General's secondary aim -- union of Cyprus with Greece -- remained unfulfilled he set up Eoka B to continue the guerrilla struggle against President Makarios' government. The General, who had not been seen in public for two years, appointed a new guerrilla leader before his death to continue the struggle.

    The Cyprus Government, in a gesture of reconciliation, had offered to bring the body of General Grivas to Nicosia for lying in state prior to flying it to Greece for burial. But Grivas guerrilla supporters announced that the body would remain in Cyprus -- and would be buried in the garden of the former hideout in Limassol.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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