DECEMBER 31, 1951
OPINION POLLS: To mark the holiday season, the Greek Gallup Poll Institute asked people what they would like to receive as a present. About 70 percent replied that they would prefer something useful and necessary, 15.22 percent wanted something nice, even if not absolutely necessary, and 14.28 percent did not reply. (…) Asked what present women preferred, 23.08 percent mentioned something gold, 20 percent wanted clothing and 16.15 percent other fashion items. COUPONS: The American mission in Greece has given priority to the success of the food distribution program and believes that it is a major factor in stabilizing the Greek economy. Therefore, every effort should be made to ensure the success of the program. The government will soon be discussing the issue with the Americans who believe that cutting aid will affect the working class, because by stopping or postponing major reconstruction projects, the number of unemployed will rise and because there is no immediate prospect of improvement to the workers’ living standards. (…) US Ambassador John Purifoy spoke of the importance of the food distribution program, emphasizing that any attempt to defend the country should be based on a healthy economy and quality food supplies for its people. Greek Cypriots put the number of their missing at about 1,100. In a peaceful protest, relatives of the missing lined the route to Clerides’s residence on Saturday. «As a wife and a mother I have every right to know what happened to my son and husband,» read a placard held up by one black-clad woman. Students and refugees protesting Denktash’s visit were kept at a distance by a strong police presence.
