Rival groups of schoolchildren paraded through the streets of Nicosia on Friday (17 March) shouting slogans for and against President Makerios. First on the streets were supporters of General George Grivas, former EOKA guerrilla leader, who back Enosis--union with Greece. But their appearance brought out larger groups, cheering for Archbishop Makarios, who is facing pressure both from the Greek Government and his own bishops.

Athens has demanded that President Makarios should reshuffle his cabinet and hand over imported Czechoslovak arms to the United Nations Peace force on the island.

Meanwhile, the bishops forming the Holy Synod of the Cyprus Orthodox Church have demanded that the Archbishop should resign as head of state.

Friday's demonstrations were apparently started by local press reports that Greece had delivered a response to the Cyprus President's reply earlier in the week to its demands.

The contents of the President's note haven't been revealed. But it has been announced that agreement was reached between United Nations officials and Archbishop Makarios over the stored weapons. United Nations officials could inspect them and the Cyprus Government has undertaken not to distribute them.

SYNOPSIS: Schoolchildren chanting the name of President Makarios marched through the streets of Nicosia on Friday in a demonstration of support for the Cypriot head of state. The groups came out into the streets in response to rival groups who were demonstrating their support for General Grivas, the former EOKA guerrilla leader who backs Enosis, as union with Greece is called. President Makarios is now facing pressure both from the Greek Government and his own bishops.

Other groups of students chanted pre-Grivas slogans. These marchers were going to picket a school.