1.
GVs Warships in Piraeus harbour with beaches in background (2 shots)
0.17

2.
LV People with luggage at dock gate
0.26

3.
LV People look at ship Appollon
0.29

4.
SV People walk with luggage
0.34

5.
SV People talk to police at dock gate
0.38

6.
GV ZOOM IN & PAN Appollon
0.47

7.
LV ZOOM OUT Lorries and cars on quayside
0.51

8.
LV ZOOM IN People wait by line of cars (3 shots)
1.05

9.
GV Cars
1.10

10.
SV PAN FROM Cars to driver interviewed in car
1.39

11.
GV Passenger ships in harbour
1.46

12.
GV PAN Warships outside harbour
1.50


QUESTION: "How long have you been here?"



ANSWER: "Since Tuesday morning."



QUESTION: "What's the hold-up?"



ANSWER: "They claim there's a war going on and they need the ships to move the troops so civilians have to wait."



QUESTION: "How long are you going to stay?"



ANSWER: "Well, I don't know....stay here you mean?"



QUESTION: "Yes, how long willl you wait?"



ANSWER: "Well, we were supposed to leave to-night at seven, but it's doubtful whether we'll get out."



QUESTION: "If you don't go what will you do then?"



ANSWER: "Wait until the next one."



QUESTIONER: "Thank you."



ANSWER: "You're welcome."




Initials BB/2003 MF/MR/BB/2016


This film contains an interview with one of the tourists delayed by the ban.

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Early in the day on Saturday (27 July), the Greek government officially banned the sailing of all passenger and merchant ships from Piraeus harbour, but later the same day the ban was lifted.

These decisions appear to reflect the shifting fortunes of the peace talks being held in Geneva on the Cyprus crisis between Greece, Turkey and Britain -- the three guarantors of Cypriot independence. At one point it seemed that the talks were deadlocked and the increasing activity by Turks in Cyprus produced an atmosphere of war alert in Athens.

However, later on, following the intervention of President Nixon with messages to both Greece and Turkey, officials in Athens were optimistic that the signature of an agreement at the tripartite negotiations in Geneva was imminent.