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01 Jan 2004

Greece raises restrictions on exiled Macedonians

In a goodwill gesture, the Greek government says it has lifted restrictions on Australian-Macedonian political refugees visiting the country

Helena Smith reports from Athens, that the move is likely to affect thousands banned from Greece since its brutal civil war more than fifty years ago.

For the first time in over fifty years, Australian-Macedonian political refugees forced into exile by Greece's brutal civil war, have been told they can return.

The dramatic decision will enable innumerable Macedonian-born Australians, prevented from entering Greece as recently as last summer, to visit their birthplaces without hindrance.

Greece's deputy foreign Minister Andreas Loverdos says that all political refugees, including those whose names are on blacklists, will be allowed to return under the new measure.

Many of the refugees were forced to flee Greece as children during the 1940's conflict before ending up in various parts of eastern Europe, Australia and Canada.

Direct link: http://www.abc.net.au/ra/newstories/RANewsStories_1018797.htm

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