APRIL 21, 2007 THE NATIONAL HERALD • a b www.thenationalherald.com

n 21 April 1967, after a decade of insert includes vignettes of how the sion, let their views be known that the US tumultuous politics a group of Greek-American community and its allies Government support the restoration of OGreek colonels seized control of responded to the Junta. From letter-writ- constitutional rule in the land where the state. In the context of the times, mili- ing campaigns to lobbying Congress, de- democracy was born. tary dictatorship were endemic; Greece, classified US Government reports as well Chile, Vietnam, and a host of other coun- as insightful articles on the Junta by indi- Sadly it is impossible to include all the tries succumbed to the rule of military law viduals who took part in the events of this individuals and organizations that played and underwent a period of authoritarian- period to scholars offering historical ex- a significant role during this difficult time ism. Forty years ago the Greek world was planations on advent of the Greek dicta- in the history of the Greek-American and stunned as tanks rolled down Constitu- torship. Greek-Canadian communities but the his- tion Square in the center of Athens. tory of the Junta is a work in progress and The material outlined in this issue also all comments as well as accounts of the Over the coming months and years the incorporates letters and petitions to Con- period are welcome. Greek Diaspora, the Greek-American com- gress, the White House and the State De- munity mobilized and ultimately became partment, by many Americans of non- Andre Gerolymatos politicized over the issue of the Junta. The Greek origin who, on more than one occa- Kelly Hammond, research

With the support of the Hellenic Ministry of Macedonia and Thrace 2 THE NATIONAL HERALD APRIL 21, 2007 The National Herald The Historical Roots of the Junta A weekly publication of the NATIONAL HERALD, INC. By Andre Gerolymatos (ΕΘΝΙΚΟΣ ΚΗΡΥΞ), reporting the news and addressing Special to The National Herald the issues of paramount interest to the Greek American community HE GREEK JUNTA was of the United States of America. not a phenomenon of the Publisher-Editor T1960s but a byproduct of Antonis H. Diamataris war, occupation and civil war. Assistant to Publisher, Advertising Who were these men who easily Veta H. Diamataris Papadopoulos brushed aside the constitutional Special Edition Editor government of Greece and im- Prof. Andre Gerolymatos Tposed a seven-year long military Production Manager dictatorship. For the most part Chrysoula Karametros they came from the upper echelons Webmaster Alexandros Tsoukias of the Greek officer corps and were destined for higher commands in The National Herald Inc. the armed forces. Yet, they chose 37-10 30th Street, treason rather than serve a democ- L.I.C., N.Y. 11101-2614 Tel: (718)784-5255, ratic state. Certainly opportunism Fax: (718)472-0510, could not have figured that promi- e-mail: nently in their decision. One possi- [email protected] ble explanation is ideology but not Democritou 1 and Academias Sts, one stemmed in the traditional Athens, 10671, Greece right-left politics that permeated Tel: 011.30.210.3614.598, Fax: Greek society. 011.30.210.3643.776, e-mail: The roots of the Junta and au- [email protected] thoritarianism predate the Greek Subscriptions by mail: state and reach further back be- 1 year $59.85, 6 months $29.95, yond the Ottoman period to Byzan- 3 months $19.95, 1 month $9.95 Home delivery NY, NJ, CT: 1 year $80.00, tium. For centuries Greek society 6 months $43.99, 3 months $29.99, was torn between the absolutism 1 month $12.95 Home delivery New England States, represented by the Byzantine Em- Pennsylvania & Washington DC: pire as well as the Ottoman regime 1 year $99.00, 6 months $51.75, and the liberalism of ancient 3 months $37.45, 1 month $15.95 On line subscription: Athens. These cleavages were not over the decades. reforms as well as those of his suc- as well as the effect this would Non subscribers: 1 year $29.95, resolved after the establishment of The Axis occupation of Greece cessors. Hence by 1967, Greek so- have had on their Italian allies. Un- 1 month $3.95; the modern Greek state but be- (1940-1944) exasperated these at- ciety was again divided and mov- til the late summer of 1943, Greece Subscribers: 1 year $19.95, 1 month $1.95 came further aggravated by the im- titudes and added the left-right po- ing towards the edge of the politi- had fallen mostly under the Italian position of monarchical rule on the litical rivalry that further segregat- cal precipice. When the Junta took sphere of influence. Accordingly, Greeks by the ed the Greeks. The end result was power on 21 April 1967, it was a the existence of a Greek military that the euphoria of liberation in culmination of decades of divisions force could have spawned poten- October 1944 quickly turned into a still smoldering from the civil war tial difficulties among the Axis bitter and cruel civil war. but also of fear. partners. In view of these factors, Don’t miss our biannual The Indeed the first steps towards Rallis had to be contend with a to- April 21, 1967 took place in the ken force, which, despite a persis- spring of 1943, tent recruiting campaign, failed to Books Great Pow- attract a sufficient number of S PECIAL I NSERT ers of the 19th century. volunteers. These circum- ALTHOUGH DURING the first part of the 20th century the Greeks killing of Greek by toppled and reinstated the foreign Greek lasted until when Ioannis Rallis, the puppet kings, this in itself did not mark 1949 and left Greece in a bleak prime minister, agreed to form a stances, howev- significant or permanent divisions state. Most Greeks emerged out of government but only if his regime er, only reflected the realities in Greek society. There were men occupation and civil war poor, po- would be permitted a security of the moment since within a few and women who supported the no- litically divided and faced with a force. The Germans agreed to his moths the pace of the war would tion of monarchy but in actual fact meager future. Hundreds of thou- demand and on April 7, 1943, the create an entirely different situa- the number of actual committed sands immigrated leaving behind Rallis Government enacted legisla- tion. The change that would have royalists were few and confined to families and a life that they would tion that decreed the mobilization such tragic consequences for members of the wealthier or never experience again. of four Evzone Battalions. Two of Greece was inaugurated by an Al- landowning classes. This situation HOW MANY MILLIONS of the these units were to be formed in lied deception plan - “Operation is underscored by the fact that the Diaspora yearend to return home Athens and the remainder in Thes- Animals”. The purpose of "Opera- Junta, ostensibly made up of hard- but spent most of their lives saloniki. The Germans, however, tion Animals" was to create the il- core royalists, easily did away with abroad. Those who remained had misgivings concerning the reli- lusion that the allies were planning the monarchy when King Constan- faced not only years of depriva- ability of these forces, and they ve- an invasion of Greece, while the re- tine refused to remain their pup- tions but an authoritarian and pa- toed the deployment of any Greek al target was Sicily. pet. The political divisions that ternalistic socio-political system. military forces in the strategically Initially the prospect of libera- threw up the Junta in 1967 had Yet in the late 1950s and early important Thessaloniki. tion had deterred many potential Coming in May... simmered just below the monar- 1960s the Government of Konstan- At the same time, they only per- recruits from joining the battalions chist-republican schism that daunt- tine Karamanlis slowly edged mitted the few authorized battal- since few individuals would risk ed the Greek state. In effect, the Greece out of the economic dol- ions to be armed with rifles and being labeled as collaborators by To advertise or to obtain rates: lines had been drawn for a long drums of the post-civil war period machine guns. In part these restric- serving the security forces of a Ger- tel: (718) 784-5255 ext. 101, e-mail: time and support for a liberal or and began the process of construct- tions were the result of German ap- man-sponsored government. But [email protected] authoritarian system of govern- ing a liberal society. Sadly, the prehensions over the dubious loy- the allied landings in Sicily and ment and society had seesawed monarchy subverted Karamanlis’ alty of indigenous security forces, Italy in the summer of 1943 dis- THE NATIONAL HERALD APRIL 21, 2007 3 pelled any notion that the occupa- their association with the Rallis (September 1943) forced the Ger- teers, this time successfully, into transition was made more palat- tion would end in the immediate government, these officers were in mans to encourage the growth of the battalions. One tactic, to main- able when rumors were spread that future; meanwhile, the growing a position to maintain links with the security battalions since the oc- tain a steady flow of recruits, was the British and American govern- strength of ELAS was bringing the Zervas, the British military mission cupation authorities now required to dismiss a considerable number ments secretly supported Rallis. resistance under the control of the (working with the resistance in the fresh forces to replace the Italian of men from local police forces On March 19, the puppet gov- left. Thus, by October 1943, the mountains), and certain under- garrisons in Greece. Early in 1944, without any rations; to survive, ernment enacted legislation that first battalion came into service in ground organizations in Athens. the Rallis government began an in- they had little choice but to seek Athens, which was followed by a Meanwhile, the collapse of Italy tensive campaign to recruit volun- employment in the battalions. The Continued on page 4 second later in the same month and by a third in December. DURING THE SAME PERIOD, ELAS had acquired the services of Stefanos Sarafis (as its comman- der-in-chief) and those of other well-known military personalities. These men had the effect of at- tracting a large number of profes- sional officers into the ranks of ELAS. It soon became apparent that the left would have at its dis- posal a well-led and experienced military force that could easily overshadow the combined strength of all the other resistance groups. Message of the President of Hellenic American National Council These fears were justified by out- on the occasion of the 4oth anniversary of the Greek Junta break of civil war in October 1943 that brought home the reality that Mr. Em. Velivasakis EAM-ELAS could dominate post- war Greece and thus encouraged many conservative officers to join In today’s world, Democratic values serve as the cornerstone of religious, the security battalions. Concur- political and social freedom. It is this freedom that allows man to continu- rently, during the course of this in- ously strive to attain the goals of Community, Brotherhood and Peace. ternal conflict, certain members of organizations disbanded by ELAS (during the course of the civil war) Democracy, which originated in Athens, is Hellenism’s legacy to the world. It sought refuge or revenge by enlist- is a legacy deeply treasured by people of every race, creed and color, as soci- ing in the security battalions. Since a large proportion of these men ety’s greatest achievement. were republicans, the battalions, which were presented as an anti- At the dawn of the 21st century, humanity is looking to shape the new mil- monarchist organization, offered a natural alternative. lennium. Democratic ideals need to play a pivotal role in the new realities MOREOVER, THE LEADER of continuously confronting us in an ever-changing world, to ensure that EDES (the largest anti-monarchist Democracy will continue to impact and inspire the lives of the generations resistance organization), Napoleon Zervas, in March 1943 reconciled to come. with the monarchy and ceased to represent the political will of hard- Every American citizen is entitled to live in a democratic environment, core republicans. Indeed, the polit- ical organization of the Athenian where they can sow the seeds of their dreams and watch them blossom. As EDES fell apart in June 1943 and Greek-Americans, who pride ourselves in our glorious past, we must remain one faction led by two shady char- ever conscious of safeguarding the Democratic ideals our ancestors dedicat- acters, Ioannes Voulpiotis and Anastasios Tavoularis (both ed their existence to. Let us honor Greece’s greatest achievement: Democ- had direct racy, with the knowledge that the wisdom of the past that will lead us into the future.

links with the Germans), played a prominent role in the development of the security battalions. General Theodoros Pangalos, a leader of the republi- can cause and a major figure in pre-war Greek politics engineered the appointment of Tavoularis to the Rallis government. He also nominated Col. V. Dertilis, another member of the republican faction, to head the security battalions. These men, in effect, used their in- fluence to ensure that the battal- ions would be commanded by re- publican officers so as to employ these forces and prevent the return of the monarchy. Regardless of 4 THE NATIONAL HERALD APRIL 21, 2007 The Historical Roots of the Junta

Continued from page 3 Consequently, by the summer of Over the course of the fall in 1944, the number of security bat- 1944, a general consensus began permitted all officers who were dis- talions increased to ten, which now to evolve amongst the British, the missed from the army since 1927 included approximately one thou- Greek government, and the Greek to reenlist (with their former sand professional officers. Some of military, which eventually led to rank), providing they joined the se- these men were also encouraged to the rehabilitation of those serving curity battalions. For many repub- join by the ambiguous attitude of in the security battalions. Initially, lican officers, who had been ex- the British. For example, according these men represented expedient pelled from the army before the to one directive issued on June 2, it allies against ELAS but later they war (because of their part in the was stipulated (on the BBC) that would actually become accepted as numerous coups and counter all those who joined the security allies in the war against the left. coups of the 1920s and 1930s), battalions were assisting the Ger- The transition, however, had be- this was an opportunity to regain mans, but they should not be de- gun prior to the German withdraw- their lost status; for others, it be- nounced as traitors. However, al. Some members of the battalions came an important source of in- twenty days later, a second direc- had found refuge and respectabili- come. More importantly, since the tive ordered all direct attacks ty by joining rightwing resistance battalions were advertised as a against the battalions suspended. organizations. Others were trans- force to combat communism, the The ban was lifted in July, but it ferred to the Athens city police and possibility existed that they would was only on 6 September that the the gendarmerie, where they re- not be treated as collaborators and Greek government-in-exile pub- mained, thus escaping internment even might keep their rank in a licly denounced these units as had after liberation. The rest were con- postwar Greek army. been agreed upon earlier at the fined to military camps in Athens, AS MATTERS stood in the Lebanon Conference. Even this ac- some Aegean islands, and the Mid- spring of 1944, the republican tion was a belated attempt since, dle East. The officers, about one cause was lost. Zervas had made despite the agreement to condemn thousand in number, had to face a his peace with the king and royalist the battalions, the announcement review by a military board, which officers had begun to join EDES. of the Greek government only would decide their eligibility for The mutinies in the Greek armed warned their members and encour- service according to individual cir- forces in the Middle East had trig- aged them to come over to the side cumstances. gered the removal of many republi- of the allies. This vague policy is ON NOVEMBER 23, 1944, the can officers, which further dimin- the first indication that the Greek ministry of defense published a list ished the prospects of those in the government and the British were of approximately 250 officers who republican faction in post war considering the potential use of the were to command units of the new Greece. The reasoning was that battalions or the employment of national guard; of these, eight had since a postwar Greek army would their officers. Another factor was served with the security battalions. have to accommodate officers who the composition of the battalions, In the ensuing uproar from the had fought in North Africa as well which by now included a large press and EAM, the government re- as those who had participated in number of officers and men who vised the list and replaced the un- the resistance (at least members of represented the conservative ele- dersecretary of defense with Gen- right-wing groups), this would ment of Greek society opposed to eral Sariyannis, an officer of ELAS. leave little room for officers who EAM-ELAS. Despite this outcome, the attempt did not belong either to a partisan ORIGINALLY, THE BATTALIONS to include former members of secu- force or the royalist faction. simply accepted anyone who was rity battalions in the national Ironically, royalist officers faced willing to serve, but by July 1944 guard indicated the first official at- the Rallis government passed a de- tempt toward the rehabilitation of cree to mobilize more recruits for at least the officers of the battal- the battalions George Papadopoulos, the leading figure in the 1967 coup and Junta ions. Considering the critical negotia- tions going on at the time between EAM and the government, the at- tempt was certainly provoca- a similar dilemma. The failure of the "Military Hierarchy" (a group of and other secu- liberation. senior royalist officers) in the rity organizations. As the day of liberation spring of 1943 to take control of According to an OSS (the Office of approached, these considera- Greece. the resistance, or to create a large Strategic Services and the forerun- tions, and the fear that EAM-ELAS Even after EAM agreed to par- royalist organization in occupied ner of the CIA) report of Septem- would have the power to gain con- ticipate in a government of nation- tive. A possible explana- Greece, forced many royalist offi- ber, the call up orders were primar- trol of Greece, brought about, at al unity via the Caserta Agreement tion, however, is that the Papan- cers to join ELAS, EDES, or other ily directed at individuals from the the end of September, another ban in late summer of 1944, the situa- dreou government was faced with resistance orgaizations. The out- middle and upper classes in order on broadcasts that condemned the tion remained uncertain until a a shortage of politically reliable of- break of civil war between the to make it more difficult to punish security battalions. An important British force landed in Greece and ficers for the national guard and right and left resistance groups in members of these forces since they consideration for decision was that the George Papandreou govern- the army. At the beginning of the October 1943 and the subsequent now included the sons of “good the British would only be able to ment of National Unity was in- occupation, there were approxi- disbanding of smaller guerrilla families”. Archbishop, early in Jan- employ a small force to secure stalled in Athens. As it turned out, mately 4,391 officers who had sur- groups by ELAS drove some of uary 1944, had also recommended Greece after the withdrawal of the the British landed without incident vived the campaigns of 1940 and their members to the security bat- that members of the security bat- German army. Consequently, every and the security battalions were, 1941. During the course of the oc- talions. In this way, many royalist talions could survive by attaining a possible anti-EAM organization for the time being, placed under cupation, about 600 served with officers enlisted in Rallis’ forces. measure of respectability. The could act as a deterrent against a custody, but no official action was ELAS, including 2,000 reserve offi- The predominance of EAM-ELAS in archbishop urged those in the bat- move by ELAS to seize the country. taken against them. Despite ap- cers, while an additional 2,500 1944 thus overshadowed the royal- talions to join the resistance or the This was particularly relevant with pearances to the contrary, the polit- joined the Greek forces in the Mid- ist-republican schism and threat- Greek forces in the Middle East to regard to Athens and Attica since ical situation remained volatile and dle East. The rest either served ened the social order that was avoid prosecution and participate these regions represented the the battalions still represented a with EDES and the other smaller home to both factions. in the struggle against the left after strategic focal points for control of potential weapon against ELAS. resistance groups, remained inac- THE NATIONAL HERALD APRIL 21, 2007 5 tive, or served with the security the military situation in December national army created a new op- battalions. was a decisive factor. General portunity for officers of the battal- AFTER THE PURGE of he Ronald Scobie, the commander of ions to gain admission into the armed forces in the Middle East, the British forces in Greece, had armed forces. The civil war forced Books from the government was left with the only thirteen thousand troops at the government to commit the Mountain Brigade and the Sacred his disposal, most of whom were Greek army while it was in the Squadron, which combined could stationed in or near Athens. The process of reorganization. Concur- only provide a minimal number of Greek government could only rely rently, the new army had come un- D.C. Divry officers for the new armed forces. on the 4,500 soldiers from the der the influence of conservative One possibility was to employ offi- Mountain Brigade and the Sacred officers who favored the monarchy cers who had served with ELAS, Battalion, as well as three thou- since they regarded it as the best but they were not considered polit- sand city police and about one safeguard against communism. To Get now a classic ically reliable; the other alternative thousand members of the "X" orga- enforce their brand of nationalism, was to make use of the one thou- nization (an extreme right-wing some of these officers, in the au- D.C. Divry’s book sand officers who had served with group). A determined effort was tumn of 1944, formed a secret or- the security battalions. Indeed, the made to recruit men into the na- ganization that came to be known and learn to converse in Greek, latter would provide the most de- tional guard, but many could not by its acronym of IDEA (Sacred improve your vocabulary pendable reserve since it was to report for duty since they lived in League of Greek Officers). Initially, their advantage to keep ELAS offi- areas occupied by ELAS. the efforts of IDEA were confined or learn how to cook cers outside the armed forces and After the crisis was over, the to infiltrating the new divisions support a right-wing government. government continued to employ raised by the government and like your grandmother In the middle of November former members of the security there is no evidence to suggest that 1944, the British began to release battalions and, by March 1945, the any contacts developed with offi- officers who were associated with last officers and men were released cers from the security battalions the battalions from Averof Prison, from detention. Shortly after the now in the national guard. and during the same period some Varkiza Agreement (February IN THE SUMMER OF 1946, of these men were seen in uniform 1945) was concluded the new representatives of IDEA took the in the streets of Athens Other Nicolas Plastiras Government (sig- initiative and persuaded the minis- members of the battalions were as- nificantly Plastiras had been a ter of defense to incorporate into sisted by the British and officers staunch republican) set up special the army officers who had served from the Greek general staff to military committees to select offi- in the security battalions. The rea- leave Greece and find refuge in cers for the national army and ap- son for this, according to the unof- Egypt. According to one OSS re- pointed 228 officers who had ficial biographer of IDEA, George port, former members of the battal- served with the battalions, along Karagianis, was that officers of the $ .00 ions who were released in early with 221 officers from ELAS. De- battalions were not only capable 25 November were afterwards slowly spite the apparent impartiality of professionals but also the most fa- $ .50 $ .50 integrated into formed into regular this selection, succeeding govern- natical anticommunists. Another 12 12 army units. ments between 1945-1946 tended relevant factor was that officers $ .00 At the beginning of December, to discriminate in favor of officers who had served with the security 14 all the officers of the security bat- from the security battalions rather battalions and later with the na- talions held at the Goudi army than appointing officers with a tional guard had the most experi- camp were permitted to draw a record of service in ELAS. In fact, ence in counterinsurgency opera- salary comparable to the one re- the Greek general staff placed tions. This expertise was particu- ceived by officers in the Greek ELAS officers eligible for service on larly relevant since the officers in army. The December uprising in the inactive list, permitting them to the new national army had been 1944, however, created the final draw their salary until they were trained for conventional warfare The new Tselemente impetus for the release and em- officially retired shortly after- and were iII-prepared to lead units ployment of the majority of those wards. against the more experienced for- in the battalions. LATER IN THE SAME YEAR, mations of the communist Democ- According to General Leonidas the courts, trying collaborators, ratic Army. Spais, who was then undersecre- ruled that the formation of the se- WE CAN ASSUME THAT, since tary of defense, the decision to use curity battalions did not fall under IDEA was instrumental in rehabili- $ .00 $ .50 the security battalions was taken the category of collaboration be- tating officers of the security bat- $ .50 6 on December 12. The suggestion cause their function had been to talions, they in turn provided addi- 25 7 came from the British, but Spais maintain law and order and to act tional support for that organization made the final determination and against "criminal elements." This within the officer corps. This be- - Shipping and handling additional - ultimately 12,000 of the least no- ruling and the work of the military came evident after the end of the ticeable and least-known members committees, in effect, provided the civil war, when a large number of of the battalions were employed in judicial framework for the govern- these officers remained in the Look for these and other national guard units. The prime ment to employ members of the Greek army and some survived to minister, on the other hand, during battalions and to continue to use participate in the 1967 coup. The D.C. Divry’s Books at your a press conference a couple of days those already in state service. In prime example is George Pa- earlier (December 7, 1944), had September 1945, however, the na- padopoulos, the leading figure in local book stores and Greek shops denied any suggestion that the bat- tional guard was withdrawn from the 1967 coup and Junta, who had talions were committed in the bat- active service and its function was had served in the notorious units. tle against ELAS. taken over by the reorganized gen- Many others like him, had honey- Yet, George Papandreou, in ad- darmerie. Consequently, with the combed into the Greek armed HOMERIC GREETING dition to serving as prime minister, exception of the 224 officers ap- forces and security services, after also held the defense portfolio and pointed to the national army, the 1967 and served as the internal thus had to be fully aware of the majority of those who had trans- praetorian guard of the Junta.* CARDS & IMPORTS employment of the battalions. ferred from the security battalions a b In the meantime, efforts were to the national guard now found Parts of this article, as well as the 289 New Main Street, Yonkers, NY 10701 intensified to bring more former themselves removed from active references, were published as Tel.: (914) 968-7551 ñ (914) 968-0220 security battalion personnel into service. “The Security Battalions and the the national guard. This setback was only tempo- Civil War in The Journal of the Fax: (914) 968-7552 Other than the political consid- rary; the outbreak of civil war in Hellenic Diaspora, Vol. 12, No. 1, erations behind these decisions, 1946 and the conditions within the Spring 1985. 6 THE NATIONAL HERALD APRIL 21, 2007 Greece 1967: The Undoing of a Democracy

By Prof. D. G. Kousoulas ing to follow if he insisted in his re- Special to The National Herald fusal. Maybe, he hoped that this eventuality would force the King to April 21, 1967: forty years ago, change his mind. the democratic system in Greece Constantine’s advisors, howev- was overthrown by a military coup er, were prepared for this. As Con- that imposed on the country a sev- stantine told me, he had been en-year long dictatorship. It is a warned that if Papandreou were al- dark anniversary. Nonetheless, lowed to remain in power until the writing about deplorable events following day, he might mobilize may serve occasionally a useful officers friendly to the C.U. and im- purpose. After all, History often pose a dictatorship. There was no can provide lessons that may help basis for this, but in the con- us avoid similar calamities in the tentious political climate of the future. time, the King accepted this as a re- The unraveling of political sta- al possibility. bility in Greece had started two So, when Papandreou said that years earlier, in the summer of he was planning to submit his res- 1965. The electoral victory of the ignation in the morning, Constan- Center Union in February 1964 had tine said: “ I consider the resigna- brought to forefront of the political tion as being already submitted.” stage a new political personality, With this, the bridges were burned. Andreas Papandreou. He was the “I accompanied Papandreou to the son of Prime Minister George Pa- door of the office,” Constantine pandreou, the leader of the C.U., told me, “and there, we said good the veteran liberal statesman. An- bye. I saw that he was very sad. As dreas was a prominent economist, if he did not want this to happen.” a long-time professor in the United In fact, it should not have hap- States. He had returned to Greece pened. But in their drive to elimi- in 1961 at the invitation of Con- nate politically Andreas Papan- stantine Karamanlis, the conserva- dreou the extremists on the Right tive Prime Minister at the time, as a and his rivals within the C.U, had favor to George Papandreou. pushed Constantine to a move that Andreas Papandreou was a very Makarios he was given a welcome dreou was trying to block any fur- Ministry of Defense. He added that was politically unwise and eventu- intelligent, very forceful, and very usually accorded to heads of state. ther investigation of the ASPIDA to he could not remain in his post as ally harmful to Constantine him- ambitious individual. Inevitably, A few months earlier he had op- protect Andreas. Prime Minister when obviously he self. once he entered politics, he was posed—in tandem with Makar- King Constantine—a young and was not trusted with the Ministry bound to give rise to rivalries even ios—the “Acheson Plan,” for a so- inexperienced man at the time— of Defense. It was a summary of “ROYAL GOVERNMENTS” within his own party. With his fa- lution to the Cypriot issue. Then in was strongly urged by his advisors what was in the letter. In his re- The king asked G. Athanasi- ther being very advanced in years, April 1965, he conducted a tri- to refuse to approve the assump- sponse, Constantine repeated ades-Novas, the President of the several leading members of the umphal tour of Thessaly, accompa- tion of the Ministry of Defense by briefly that he opposed this be- Legislature (Vouli) a leading mem- C.U.—Constantine Mitsotakis the nied by thirty-five parliamentary the elder Papandreou. cause of the suspicions regarding ber of the C.U. to take the post of most important among them— Deputies, as if he were the real The situation now was becom- the connections of Andreas with Prime Minister. Technically, it was were trying to position themselves leader of the C.U. ing explosive. George Papandreou the ASPIDA. a proper choice since the premier- for the succession. They saw An- On the other side, the opposi- rightly argued that as the Prime There was no anger in this ex- ship was to remain in the Center dreas as an obstacle. tion party, the National Radical Minister he was constitutionally change. Constantine was very fond Union. The move, however, was re- On the other side, many in the Union (ERE)-- the party Constan- entitled to assume the post of Min- of old Papandreou. The liberal jected vehemently by George Pa- conservative camp suspected that tine. Karamanlis had established in ister of Defense as well. Constan- leader had become Prime Minister pandreou. In a formal declaration, Andreas had Socialist leanings— 1955-- was pressing for a vigorous tine did not dispute this but in a almost at the same time Constan- he said that “the constitutional or- which in the political climate of the investigation of the ASPIDA Affair. letter, he asked G. Papandreou to tine had become King after the der has been violated.” Those few time were in the eyes of many tan- At the same time, intrigues, inflam- appoint any other person of his death of his father. In the early members of the C.U. who had ac- tamount to pro-Communist views. matory newspaper articles and dis- choice, for reasons of propriety, so months of 1964, Constantine had cepted ministerial posts in the No- puted or questionable documents that no one would accuse him of found in the old statesman a re- vas cabinet were termed “traitors” THE ASPIDA AFFAIR darkened the political landscape. intervening with the investigation spected friend and advisor—just as and “marionettes.” Andreas and In March 1965 an army Cap- In June, George Papandreou of the ASPIDA. his late father had been to him be- his friends saw in this crisis an op- tain, named Nikos Adamopoulos, asked the Minister of Defense P. When George Papandreou, on fore. Papandreou on his part was portunity to forge new ties with the reported to General I. Genimatas, Garoufalias to resign and accept July 15, 1965 went to the Palace to fully prepared to work closely with left forces in Greece. the Chief of Staff of the Army, that another cabinet ministry. The ERE meet with the King face to face and the young King. The Novas government did not several officers politically leaning Deputies and the conservative discuss the impasse, the lines were The first dark clouds had ap- receive a vote of confidence when toward the C.U. had formed a clan- press interpreted this as an effort drawn. He told Constantine that he peared on the political horizon in it appeared before the Vouli. In the destine organization known as AS- by the Prime Minister to protect his could not remain in his post as the spring of 1965 as mentioned following months, one effort after PIDA. An official investigation son from possible prosecution. Prime Minister if he was not trust- above. another to form a government col- found some evidence that ap- ed to take the Ministry of Defense. lapsed because the majority of par- peared to connect Andreas to this THE DISSENSION DEEPENS During a visit In August 1966 I THE RESIGNATION liamentary Deputies refused to organization. To be sure there were If the political strife were limit- had a meeting with King Constan- After Constantine had stated give them a vote of confidence. no documents signed by Andreas. ed to the replacement of Garo- tine. In the course of our conversa- the reasons why he could not The failed governments were de- Only one or two of the officers had ufalias, the dispute might have tion, he told me in detail what had agree, George Papandreou said rided as “royal governments.” stated that they considered An- ended there. But after the removal transpired. Papandreou gave Con- sadly “Then I have no choice but to Finally, in September 1965, a dreas to be their political mentor, of Garoufalias, George Papandreou stantine a letter he had prepared in submit my resignation in writing government under Stefanos Ste- an allegation Andreas denied with as Prime Minister declared that he the morning with his views. Verbal- tomorrow morning.” It is quite fanopoulos received 152 votes indignation. In the meantime, An- was going to take over the Ministry ly, he presented briefly the reasons possible that George Papandreou when 44 Deputies from C.U. dreas was gaining in political influ- of Defense, himself. The opposi- why it was proper for him as the wanted to warn Constantine that a switched sides and gave a vote of ence. Invited by Cypriot President tion now clamored that Papan- Prime Minister to take over the destabilizing political crisis was go- confidence together with ERE THE NATIONAL HERALD APRIL 21, 2007 7 Greece 1967: The Undoing of a Democracy

Deputies. This, of course, did not King’s “political advisor,” who strong ties to the Center Union and George Papandreou were resumed mount, it left an open field for the solve the problem. It simply post- came to the phone. He said that to George Papandreou caused a through Vassilis Houtas, a national extremists of both sides. poned the only proper solution: the the King was not available and that sensation. Two days later, Andreas resistance leader during the Ger- In implementing the agreement, holding of elections. he was going to pass on to him the Papandreou, speaking in Crete de- man occupation, and C.U. Deputy. a first step was for the Stefanopou- information I had. I did not like nounced my remark about the dan- On December 18, a formal agree- los government to resign. It did so A COMPROMISE OUT OF THE this. In my response I was very ger of a dictatorial regime by call- ment was signed. It was a detailed on December 21, and was replaced IMPASSE? guarded, giving the bare essentials. ing it a “threat’ and a “blackmail,” road map leading to “free and hon- by a ‘service cabinet” under I As I mentioned above, in August To my utter astonishment, on while he rejected any thought of a est” elections. Paraskevopoulos, a banker. The 1966, during my visit to Greece I Tuesday. August 30, three days af- compromise solution as the one It was a way out of the impasse. King in a proclamation pledged to had a discussion with king Con- ter my telephone conversation suggested in the article. But, at the request of George Pa- hold elections in May. Papan- stantine. During the meeting, I sug- with Bitsios, the newspaper Attacks came also from the con- pandreou, it was agreed to keep dreou, on his part, issued a formal gested that the only way out of the “Akropolis” came out with an servative press. The articles pub- the agreement secret. He was statement in which he welcomed impasse was for him to agree to eight-column headline: “Papan- lished were clearly designed to afraid of the negative reaction of the King’s initiative to hold elec- hold elections and for the Center dreou aims at the dethronement turn Constantine against any com- the more fanatical elements in his tions and his pledge that the elec- Union to stop the vitriolic attacks [removal] of the King.” In the arti- promise with George Papandreou. party, above all of his son Andreas. tions will be “honest.” against the Throne. “But this is ex- cle, there was a sensational “reve- But the effort had not been in It was a misguided decision be- There was no reference to the actly what I want,” he responded lation” that the former Minister of vain. Some three weeks later, con- cause at a time when the support with such spontaneity that I felt Defense Peter Garoufalias had dis- tacts between Constantine and of an informed public was para- Continued on page 8 that this was something he really closed to the newspaper that wanted. George Papandreou had discussed I did not expect to be directly in- at a meeting of the Inner Ministeri- volved in Greek politics but the al Council plans for removing Con- king’s response appeared as a ray stantine and replacing him with of hope to move the country out of Prince Peter. According to the arti- the debilitating controversy. cle, Garoufalias claimed that this “Tomorrow,” I said, “I have an discussion had taken place when appointment to see Andreas Pa- Papandreou was still Prime Minis- pandreou, and two days later I will ter, before his resignation from the meet with George Papandreou. Do premiership. you want me to tell them about The publication of this totally what you just said?” He authorized unfounded story was designed to me to do so and report their reac- scare Constantine away from any tion to him. further contact with Papandreou. I met Andreas at his office on [Bitsios later became Foreign Min- Souidias Street. After he listened ister during the Junta]. I called to what I had to say, he replied: “I George Papandreou and told him cannot be involved. What will my about my talk with Bitsios. The old people say?” He added, however, statesman advised me to go ahead that the widow of one of the sons with the article I was planning to of Eleutherios Venizelos had ties write after my return to Washing- with the Palace and she could act ton and to do exactly what we had as a go between.” discussed. George Papandreou showed I followed his suggestions. The much more positive interest in the article was published on Sunday compromise solution I had dis- October 16, 1966 in the “Evening cussed with Constantine. Then, in Star,” one of two major newspa- the course of our conversation— pers in Washington at that time. To we had met at his home in Kastri— my surprise, the article, translated I told Papandreou that when I dis- into Greek, was published on the cussed with Constantine the ru- front page of the newspaper “To mors that some people were afraid Vima” in Athens four days later. that he was planning to impose a Without fax in those days, to have dictatorial regime, the King replied a long article translated in its en- that his late father had warned him tirety and published within such a that “another dictatorship will be short period of time was remark- the end of the Throne.” I said to able. This was made possible only George Papandreou that I was left because G. Papandreou had al- with the strong impression that ready taken the necessary steps. Constantine was sincere. In the article, I had described At the end of my visit, I told Pa- the political situation in Greece pandreou that upon my return to and suggested that unless a way the United States I was planning to was found out of the impasse, “cer- write an article about my reading tain elements in the Army, acting of the situation in Greece. He sug- on their own and without the sup- gested that I sent him a copy ahead port of the King, may move to es- of time, “not to censor it,” as he tablish an unconstitutional dictato- said with humor but to have it for rial regime.” I went on to say that possible publication in Greece. to prevent such a calamity, the King When I called the palace to re- ought to agree to hold elections port to King Constantine my im- and the Center Union should stop pressions from my talks with An- the attacks against the Palace. dreas and George Papandreou, it The publication of the article so was ambassador D. Bitsios, the prominently by a newspaper with 8 THE NATIONAL HERALD APRIL 21, 2007 Greece 1967: The Undoing of a Democracy

Continued from page 7

Agreement. What followed might have been avoided if Constantine and Papandreou had told the peo- ple the full story and asked for their support.

ATTACKS FROM BOTH SIDES Within four days, Andreas un- leashed the first salvo. It was an uncompromising rejection of the arrangements his father had ac- cepted. Although compromise so- lutions are a cardinal part of the democratic political process, in Greece during that critical period, “compromise” was considered by Andreas as well as the extremists on the conservative side an igno- minious capitulation. The Paraskevopoulos “service cabinet” received a vote of confi- dence from both major political parties, the Center Union and ERE. However, forty C.U. Deputies fol- lowed the lead of Andreas and vot- ed against the “service govern- ment.” In the following months attacks from both sides of the extremists but most notably from the parti- sans following Andreas Papan- dreou undermined the government which was supposed to prepare the ground for elections. The sessions in the Greek legis- lature were turning into verbal fist- fights. Con. Karamanlis, a self-ex- ile in Paris since 1963, wrote to On March 28, the Greek legisla- brief statement: “The discussion pendence Day. Babis Marketos, the then publisher THE DEMISE OF DEMOCRACY ture met to discuss the proportion- shows clearly [how total is] the The fanaticism of the extreme of the “Ethnikos Kyrix,” who had The agreement of the previous al electoral system and a proposal disagreement of the two political factions had wrought the undoing urged him in a letter to return to Decembers was losing all rele- to lift the parliamentary immunity parties on whose support this gov- of the Greek democratic system, Greece and salvage the situation. vance. Even moderate leaders on from a number of Deputies, includ- ernment depends. Therefore we thereby opening the gates to the “Unfortunately,” Karamanlis wrote, the conservative side were now ing Andreas Papandreou. For the face a governmental crisis.” Mean- conspirators. Aspiring dictators “the conditions needed for a seri- questioning the wisdom of having sake of salvaging whatever was left ing, his government had to resign. may always be found hiding in the ous and constructive effort do not elections. Andreas was not only from the agreement to go to elec- Following this, the President of shadows but they cannot move un- exist now in Greece.” In another emerging as the dominant leader tions, this proposal was voted the Vouli made the customary less those who believe in democra- communication, Karamanlis had in the C.U., he was also forging ties down by both liberal and conserva- statement almost indifferently: cy forget that moderation is at the suggested to Panayiotis with EDA, the pro-Communist par- tive Deputies. It was a constructive “The session is adjourned until the heart of a democratic system. Kanelopoulos who had assumed ty. move. However, the following day governmental crisis is resolved.” It the leadership of ERE, that the leg- In the political climate of the Deputies aligned with Andreas pro- turned out to be an overoptimistic Professor Kousoulas came to the islature grant a government for a Cold War this was seen by many as posed that the parliamentary im- statement. The Vouli would not United States in 1951 as a Ful- short period of time “specific pow- a calamity. Throughout the post- munity be extended for four weeks meet again for seven and a half bright Scholar. A professor of Po- ers” for the “revision of the Consti- war years, both the conservative even after the end of the legislative years—until the collapse of the dic- litical Science for twenty five tution which is obsolete and mal- and the liberal parties in Greece period. Such an extension was un- tatorship. years, he is the author of several adjusted; improvement of the had refused to join forces with EDA constitutional. Its objective was to books published by Oxford Uni- economy, which is a condition for even when this appeared political- protect primarily Andreas from ENTER THE TANKS versity Press, Syracuse Universi- the material and moral progress of ly expedient. In the election of No- possible prosecution over ASPIDA, It was not going to be a royal ty Press, Ballantine, Scribners, the country; a fair solution of the vember 1963, when the C.U. had during the period between elec- dictatorship as Andreas had pre- Wadsworth and Rutlege. One of Cypriot issue; and a non-partisan received a thin plurality but not a tions and the swearing in of the dicted. Neither was it going to be a his books was translated and effort to improve the educational majority, George Papandreou had new legislature. dictatorship led by the senior offi- published in twenty seven lan- system.” After these steps were tak- called for a new election refusing An acrimonious debate in the cers. They were unwilling to move guages. During the 1960s, he be- en, Karamanlis went on, “hold to stay in power with the votes of Vouli showed that virtually nothing without the approval of the King, came involved in Greek politics. elections in a healthy and calm cli- the EDA Deputies in the Vouli. In remained from the Agreement And Constantine was adamant In 1964, during the Cypriot cri- mate.“ the eyes of his detractors, Andreas Constantine and George Papan- against a dictatorial regime. But sis, he was elected president of But in the conditions prevailing was transforming radically the po- dreou had forged four months ear- the dictatorship came nonetheless. the Pan-American Committee in Greece at the time there was not a litical equation. His statement that lier. The extremists had won. It During the wee hours of April Justice for Cyprus. His most re- chance for a calm political climate. he would form a government at was going to prove a hollow victo- 21, 1967, a group of middle level cent book is "The Life and Times Emotions were high, both sides un- Constitution Square, implying that ry. officers launched their coup, using of Constantine the Great: The dermining the Paraskevopou- he would ignore the constitutional Faced with a total impasse, the tanks that had been brought to First Christian Emperor." Cur- los “service government,” to pro- processes, threw more oil into the Prime Minister Paraskevopoulos Athens four weeks before for the rently, he writes a bi-weekly col- mote their own agendas. fire. came to the rostrum and made a parade of the 25 of March, Inde- umn for "The National Herald." THE NATIONAL HERALD APRIL 21, 2007 9 Mutations of History

By Nikolaos A. Stavrou Looking at a gloomy horizon, I Special to The National Herald urged him in the Spring of 1974, (as I have done a year earlier) to Funny things were happening further clarify his position concern- few moths before the Cyprus ing the “Karamanlis solution” that tragedy and the collapse of the was eagerly promoted by self-serv- Junta. For over a year prior to its ing individuals with questionable collapsed I had reached some dis- motives and to denounce the Junta turbing conclusions that proved to one more time publicly, perhaps to be tragically accurate. First, that avoid a national disaster. My con- the Junta would abolish the cern was that the “many koum- monarchy to gain temporary re- baroi” (in-laws) who were visiting prieve from the left, second that it Washington promoting the “Kara- would open to the Eastern bloc as a manlis solution” were also capable leverage against Washington of mortgaging his name to the in- where pressure against would be stigators of the Junta. His response mounting, and third that it could of 10 March 1974 is a telling docu- be foolish enough to attempt to ment for historians. please Henry Kissinger with a “so- Though I was resigned at the lution of the Cyprus issue”, a cer- time to the inevitability of a coup tain disaster if carried out. in Cyprus. I believe my last letter to Months before the brave naval Karamanlis (of which I can not lo- defections, the Velos affairs, I alert- cate a copy but remember the con- ed General OrestisVidalis, the tents fairly well) and his response King’s man in America, of the im- shed some light on his thinking at peding abolition of the monarchy. the time. The reader should be the The general advised me to write di- judge of its significance, but I rectly to the King in Rome, some- would like to note a human side of thing I was reluctant to do. But un- Karamanlis. He sought my assis- der the emerging dire circum- Constantine Karamanlis tance in getting his nephew Costas, stance, I wrote a two-paragraph now Prime Minister, admitted to letter on May 1, 1973 in straight Harvard. I responded that I could Epirotic dialect telling the King get him easily admitted to Johns “your days are numbered” and it about! Another member of the Jun- probably interest him. As has been cident of his political career in a Hopkins and mailed to him in Paris might be useful for history if he ta was visiting his Koumbaro (in- my practice with all Greek political priceless six volume raw history. all pertinent applications and pro- spoke up pre-emptively against the law) in Atlanta as an excuse to stop leaders, I treated my correspon- The Karamanlis Archives, on the grams of the University. The Junta. I never heard from His by Washington and get “clarifica- dence with Constantine Karaman- other hand, raise questions about “roushfeti” was overtaken by the Majesty. Two months later, using tion” to one question: how would lis as private and privileged and deliberate omissions. No mention July events and the young Kara- the Velos defection as a pretext, the the American react, “if we carry out kept his confidence to the end. is made whatsoever of his corre- manlis ended up at Tufts. Junta abolished the monarchy. another quick coup with General Yet, I was looking forward to the spondence with this writer, some- Between 1973 and its collapse, Angelis in charge and bring back day when his memoirs would offer thing that I raise not as grievance (* Makarezos was a senior mem- the leading members of the Junta Karamanlis?” To beef up his credi- a complete history of his life and but as a dictum of history. ber of the Junta and served as minis- made several openings to the East- bility, this Junta man would flash a times, not a sanitized version of it, To deal with mutations of histo- ter of coordination from 1967-1971 ern block countries culminating bunch of personal letters from Con- but I was to be disappointed. My ry, albeit in a small way, I am pro- and deputy prime minister 1971- with a Nickolaos Makarezos trip to stantine Karamanlis to argue that yardstick for honest history was viding to the readers of National 1974. In 1975 he was condemned to China.* At the same time, a huge in- the latter was not adverse to the Emmanuel Tsouderos’s , the war Herald some historically important death for high treason but the sen- flux of Soviet bloc money poured in- idea. And there were others who time Prime Minister in exile, who letters Constantine Karamanlis has tence was commuted to life impris- to Greece investing in critical areas surfaced in Washington at the time personally penned down every in- written in a most critical juncture. onment.) of the economy including shipping. prompting the same idea, among The famous deal for hydrophoils them a shady character who had (know in Greece as flying dolphins) occupied the legal authorities in which made a millionaire out of an New Jersey and Florida. ordinary Cretan crook was sealed at I had established contact with that time; and, Lord and behold, Karamanlis for many years and Law Offices of with Soviet finances the entire was disturbed by the fact that more Great Soviet Encyclopedia was than one shady character was cozy- BENJAMIN & VASILATOS, LLC translated into Greek. No other ing up to him. Though a severe 30-16 Steinway Street, 2nd floor, Astoria, NY 11103 western country had even thought critic of Karamanlis’ polices, I had about undertaking such a thing, but come to respect his intellect. In (718) 728-0555 a bunch of “anti-communist” hood- 1969, the former Greek premier lums who decided to bring the had graciously and meticulously Greeks up to date with the achieve- responded to a lengthy question- • ACCIDENTS - PERSONAL INJURY EXPERIANCE COUNTS: ments of Bolshevism. naire of mine about the “formation Construction/Scaffold/Falling Objects At the beginning of 1974 mat- of pressure groups” in Greece that Automobile You need a lawyer who has ters turned tragic. One senior Junta clarified many issues about the for- Trip and Fall taught other lawyers how to man had set up shop in a Medical mation of institutional and anomic take cases to trial and win. Clinic of his brother-in-law, whose pressure groups in the Greek politi- • CRIMINAL LAW • FAMILY LAW owner would brag about his “direct cal setting. This original analysis, Misdemeanors • Divorce If you think that you need connections with Kissinger and as- by a preeminent Greek leader, was Felonies Custody legal advice, do not hesitate sured the Greek idiot that Henry, included as an appendix in my DWI/DUI to call - we can help the de facto American President, Doctoral Dissertation. Since then, I Child Support would be pleased with a putsch took it upon myself to apprise him a b against Makarios. Nothing to worry on events that I thought would 10 THE NATIONAL HERALD APRIL 21, 2007

By Dan Georgakas Special to The National Herald

Greek Americans Against the Junta Then and Now s soon as news of the April 21 coup came over the radio, I received Aconcerned calls from friends. What could they do to help Greece? Seeking an an- swer to their queries that afternoon I joined hundreds of protestors who went to the Greek Consulate to protest the establish- ment of a military dictatorship in Greece. The American Committee for Freedom and Democracy in Greece (ACDFG) would emerge from that first rally and become the largest and most ac- tive of the anti-junta committees in the United States. THE NATIONAL HERALD APRIL 21, 2007 11

ANTI-JUNTA ACTIVISTS would generated considerable radio and fall into to four loosely defined television coverage in American groups. The most intense were mass media. Two others joined us on Greek graduate students studying in the second day. One of them was ex- America who spoke out bravely even traordinarily courageous as he could though they understood this meant not return to Greece due to his fami- they could not return to Greece as ly ties and was virtually stranded in long as the junta remained in power. NY as an illegal alien. Had we been Nearly as vocal were academics from arrested, he would have been in a various fields that could not accept perilous situation. We hoped that the idea of a military dictatorship in dozens might come to join us once Greece. Addi Pollis, who became a they heard what we were doing and key leader of ACDFG, is representa- turn the event into a real community tive of this group. Two smaller cate- protest. Numerous people came by gories were leftists who had support- to encourage us, but we remained a ed EAM-ELAS in World War II and fistful of five. The movement was younger persons, such as myself, self-financed. A dance or musical who were active in the anti-Vietnam event occasionally produced some War and civil rights movements of revenue, but most events were just the time. paid for by those participating. The A political disagreement soon longer the struggle went on, howev- emerged that set the tone of the er, the more often individuals who movement. What would be our posi- wished to remained unseen for tion regarding political prisoners? whatever reason would make cash Some academics and veteran com- contributions. Among pubic rela- munity activists feared a demand to stand early on, the time of the Mercouri, Melina’s brother, to create where there seemed to be interest. I tions fund-raisers that I was involved free all political prisoners would foil colonels would have been much political events that would feature met an amazing number of Greek was the production of American edi- support among Greeks and Ameri- briefer. All of us in the anti-junta his charismatic sister. I attained Americans of various political views tions of Theodorakis’s Romiossini cans as some of the junta’s prisoners movement understood that if the US more visibility in the anti-junta who shared a common outrage at and Mauthausen music albums were leftists. I was among those strongly objected to the colonels, the movement than my experience and what had happened. About half through Folkways Records. These who thought this was outdated regime would fall instantly. Our plan knowledge warranted. This was were Greek-born and half American- ventures had the additional benefit thinking and utter nonsense. No one was to rouse Greek Americans to the mainly due to the fact that I had no born. of being a profound musical expres- had been arrested in Greece for ille- task of educating the American pub- close family in Greece and I had no sion of a Hellenism with which the gal acts or planning an insurrection. lic and the American government on professional or business relation- MY ACTIONS WERE NOT partic- American public could identify. Dino They had been imprisoned as part of the wisdom of opposing a Greek mil- ships there. I also had gained experi- ularly more effective than what oth- Siotis followed a similar strategy in an effort to thwart a democratic elec- itary dictatorship. Eventually dozens ence in public speaking from my in- ers did, but they indicate the nature California by publishing The Coffee- tion that would have brought of committees formed across North volvement in the anti-Vietnam War of our efforts. An event I recall with house and The Wire, anti-junta liter- George Papandreou to power. Our America for this purpose. The largest movement. This often resulted in particular pride, however, was a ary magazines that reached out to slogan couldn’t possibly be Free were in Greek centers such as New my serving as a spokesperson at one hunger strike three of us undertook the American literary community. Some of the Political Prisoners or York, Chicago, Boston, Toronto, and or another anti-junta event. I even outside the UN. King Constantine My effort in that realm was to edit a Free the Political Prisoners We Sup- Montreal, but there were also groups went across country in 1968 trying was then visiting the US, and we small volume of poetry to which port. Reason prevailed in this mat- in cities such as Detroit, Minneapo- to connect small local committees vowed not to eat as long as he was many prominent American poets ter, setting an important precedent lis, Milwaukee, San Francisco, and that had sprung up with national on US soil, a period of about three contributed. It was titled Z. Among for tolerance of political differences Indianapolis. Countless newsletters, groups and to start committees days. That modest effort on our part the Greek Americans who con- that prevailed throughout the strug- letter campaigns, visits to Congress, tributed poems were Thanos gle. and rallies took place. New York and Maskalaris and Minas Savvas. I thought Greek Americans would other cities had radio programs. A Just as I worked in the milieus I be outraged by what had happened huge boost to the anti-junta move- knew best, other activists worked in the place they so frequently laud- ment was the presence in New York within their respective professional ed as “the cradle of democracy.” of Melina Mercouri, who was per- and social circles. Over the course of What I discovered, however, was forming in a stage version of Never seven years, we tried nearly every that many Greek Americans knew al- On Sunday on Broadway, Melina means possible to mobilize the pub- most nothing about the politics of possessed strong political views and lic. Although we failed in our larger contemporary Greece. Many imag- an even stronger will. By immedi- goal of mobilizing a mass movement ined the junta was part of an anti-So- ately speaking out against the junta, against the junta, we did not allow viet crusade and in any case, that she gave the movement credibility the ongoing Greek tragedy to slip Greece was so backward that it with the American public and gave from public view. One huge problem needed an occasional law-and-order us access to American mass media. for us early on was the most visible dictatorship. Others did not want to For a time, her apartment on One Greek American politician, Vice- jeopardize their present or future Fifth Avenue was the informal center President Spiro Agnew, then at the business and professional opportuni- of anti-junta activities. height of his power. Agnew em- ties in Greece. Still others were fear- braced rather than rejected the jun- ful that being identified as anti-junta I HAD ONLY MOVED to New ta, thoroughly confusing the Ameri- would bring harm to family mem- York in 1966. I had no circle of fami- can and Greek American publics bers in Greece. ly or school friends as in my native about the regime. Greek Americans Detroit. The movement now brought often didn’t believe us when we said I WAS MOST SHOCKED by the me into contact with a whole new the junta routinely used electric silence of the Greek American estab- constellation of Greeks and Greek shock torture and had banned writ- lishment, including the Archdiocese. Americans, many of whom have re- ers such as Aristophanes for being Individuals, of course, worked be- mained life-long friends. As a youth, anti- Hellenic. Greek American hind the scenes, but for a myriad of I had been greatly taken by films politicians such as John Brademas reasons, most organizations would such as Stella, He Who Must Die, and Paul Sarbanes, of course, were not speak out until the colonels mur- and Never on Sunday. I never imag- resolutely anti-junta. In due course, dered university students at the ined I would be working with the the fall of Agnew and the emerging Polytechnic in 1973. Better late than same Melina Mercouri on a political reality about the regime turned the never to be sure, but had our organi- level, but such was the case. For a zations taken an anti-dictatorial year or so I worked often with Spyro Continued on page 22 12 THE NATIONAL HERALD APRIL 21, 2007 An Interview With Andreas Papandreou

For Public Affairs Staff world. rightwingers got all excited be- Buckley: Yes, absolutely. my very bad luck that I became Program Firing Line Buckley: Well, now you cause you were questioning the fi- Papandreou: And now I shall. Minister of State and I was in Date: April 30, 1972 8:00 PM speak as a Greek. delity to NATO of Greece. And in Buckley: Yes, and dwell on the charge of Greek intelligence. And I City: Washington, DC Papandreou: I have to. fact you are on record in your own instrument of oppression. discovered to my very great sur- Buckley: Of course. And I can book as admitting that perhaps if it Papandreou: Why not? It is. prise two things. Well, one thing. Buckley: …I should like to as, perfectly well understand your de- hadn’t been that you decided to And I think of course we should Namely that the Greek CIA—that Mr. Papandreou, do you believe sire on behalf of Greece to influ- stop teaching economics in Califor- dwell. But I won’t repeat it too of- is, KYP, was both fiscally and ad- that the United States government ence the policies of the Western nia, Greek—the Greeks would ten… ministratively an appendage of should deny economic or military world in such a way as uniquely to have a parliament right now. Buckley: Sure. your CIA. Not surprising, because aid to all nondemocratic powers? enhance the best interests of Papandreou: Well, that’s a bit Papandreou: …because time is it was built after the civil war by Papandreou: I do not believe Greece. However, two subques- arrogant. I’m not sure if I put it that valuable. But not only in Greece, in the Office of Strategic Services, that it is for me to judge what tions. I of course need to question way. I’m not sure I’m that impor- Portugal, in Spain, in Turkey, in which preceded the CIA. But the should the American government you as an American. tant. But let me—let me say this. Iran—and I’m talking about my thing that00 in fact, you know, do. Papandreou: Of course, of You’ve said many things. part of the world, I’m leaving Brazil that’s why we couldn’t stop them Buckley: Are you-- you’re not course. Buckley: Yes. out of the way—now, under those tapping our telephones. Which we an American citizen now, are you? … Papandreou: And some of circumstances, when most of tried, you know I couldn’t do that. Papandreou: No. I am speaking Buckley: That was Karamanlis’s them are valid, and some of them southern Europe is practically neo- But the thing that surprised me— here as a Greek. An when I plead a fault? not quite. Not intentionally. I never fascist, when Italy may soon be— not surprised me, but the think I cause in the United States, I plead Papandreou: Yes. Well, fault? during the period of my political General Vernon Walters is moving found out then, which had no sig- this cause because the government Whose fault? History’s fault. The life in Greece had stated that up to the second position in the nificance to me then, any kind of of the United States has decisive fact that there had been civil war in Greece ought to be pulled out of CIA. Well, General Walters in 1961, significance—it does now—is that influence on the fate of my coun- Greece was not Karamanlis’s fault. NATO should be – should leave November, in Italy, in a staff meet- Papadopoulos was the official liai- try…On the question of Greece, It was the fault of many forces, the Greece. ing of the U.S. embassy, said that if son between the U.S. CIA and the the main reason that we take such Soviet Union, the British, the com- … the socialists were to come close to Greek KYP. And what we can say in a strong stand on the question of munist party, the Nazi collabora- Buckley: …I do think that it is power in Italy, the American troops Greece now is that this is the first this junta, as we call it, junta in tors. You know, who knows who’s probably instructive, isn’t it, to in Italy and from German should known CIA agent to become a Greece is not its popular appeal or at fault? All of them jointly. But dwell for a moment on the rather occupy Italy. Prime Minister of a European its popular base but the armed there’d been a miserable civil war distinctive difficulties of Greece Buckley: Well, the socialists did country… forced. And the armed forces them- in Greece that ended after the Tru- during this century. come to power. Buckley: Well, I think it—it selves are very much integrated in- man Doctrine with substantial Papandreou: But… Papandreou: As a mater of fact, seems to be going a little but far to to NATO, into the structure of com- American participation, not in the Buckley: You’ve have eight mili- I think it was very worthwhile for say that someone who’s in charge mand that has its apex at the Pen- field, but financial participation, tary coup d’etats in 50 years. Congress to ask Mr. Walters today of intelligence in a country which, tagon… three to four billion dollars on the Papandreou: Yes. whether indeed he has repeated God knows, needed an intelligence … whole, ended in 1949 and in the Buckley: You’ve had an average the statement now. It’d be very after the kind of civil war you went Buckley: But I –don’t we—don’t defeat of the communist insur- change of government every year. very important for Congress to find though, ended up simply being an we agree that notwithstanding our gents, the Aomalas forces. And You’ve had two civil wars. And un- what General Walters thinks about agent of – of the CIA… Mr. Pa- recognition of force majeure, of su- during the next decade, 14, 15 der the circumstance, a lot of peo- Italy today, and whether indeed in padopoulos. perior Soviet Power, it is also a sim- years, we had in Greece something ple seem to me to be rather re- Italy a new putsch is not underway. Papandreou: Well, he hap- ply that NATO seeks in sending of a garrison state. Democracy, yes. signed about the Greek experience, Buckley: Managed by the CIA? pened to be… tanks, whatever, to Greece or to The parliament always functioned. because what they’re saying to Papandreou: Managed? Well, … Italy or to West Germany on the This is a very very substantial dif- themselves is, well, Hell, Greece you know I get a bit lost, because Buckley: But I haven’t seen Pa- basis of which to hold the NATO ference from today when there was can’t have democracy any more for instance there is a man in padopoulos urging a western dom- line. So that even a couple of days no communist danger in Greece of than Spain apparently could, or Greece who played a very impor- inated Nazi regime in Greece. might be significant. any kind, the communist party be- Portugal. And I’m not saying this is tant role, Mr. Norbert Anschutz Papandreou: Well, what is his Papandreou: Yes. But really I ing very small and very nonmili- true or it is not true, but I’m saying (?)He was the charge d’affaires. regime? What is his regime? In fact don’t—I don’t honestly believe that tant and very European in style. that this reasonable occurs to peo- Actually I knew him very well. And if you do read all the editorials of is the issue. And I don’t believe it We were the danger in Greece this ple who contemplate your history I thought of him as a charge d’af- his controlled press, they point an because the Soviet Union and the time. And we represented 53 per- over 30 to 50 years. faire. Now it turns out that he was accusing finger at the Norwegians United States in Europe proper cent of the Greek people. And that Papandreou: Allow me to make a colonel in the U.S. Army, that’s and the Danes and the Swedes. have made an accommodation is why a dictatorship was necessary two statements Pentagon. It turns out he is official- And they say Americans, look, they which has been more or less con- to suppress not us but the Greek Buckley: Yes, sir. ly a top CIA agent. And now he are not your friends because they firmed now and consolidated by people. Papandreou: And then the oth- turns out to be the manager of the are playing around in a coffee shop the ostpolitik of Chancellor Brandt. Buckley: Well, not that gets er one is a response to your last First National Bank in Beirut. So called democracy. What you need Actually there is a freeze in Europe. us… very important question, or state- you ask me is it the Pentagon, is it is law and order and responsibility Greece is becoming an American Papandreou: Sorry about the ment. I like to be perfectly honest. the First National Bank, is it the and honest, loyal membership in outpost. There are 13 military es- speech. And I would like to have stated to CIA, I just don’t know. NATO for the defense of the free tablishments now. Piraeus, the port Buckley: That’s all right, that’s you, following five years of bitter Buckley: You—do you question world—with concentration camps facility, has been extended now to all right. That gets a little bit com- experience, when we have seen the the wisdom of our maintaining of a and torture chambers and prisons, the Sixth Fleet. plicated because I know that your West in the context of the NATO al- CIA? things like that…. The main reason for this is the father’s party came in with 53 per- liance, which was presumable es- Papandreou: Not at all, sir. I do … Middle East and the Eastern cent of the vote. But it was also dis- tablished to defend self-determina- not. But I don’t want it to manage Papandreou: What, then, is the Mediterranean. There is oil in the missed from power a year later as tion, integrity, and democratic in- my affairs. moral of this story? Middle East. There is the Arab-Is- the result of an argument with stitutions—that’s the preamble of Buckley: Yes. Well, no… Buckley: The moral of [this] raeli conflict. And it is essential for the… NATO—when we see that this very Papandreou: I want it to man- story is that you wand us to reori- the United States military to have a Papandreou: A year and a half organization has become the in- age yours if you choose it. ent western policy in NATO on be- staging base from which to oper- Buckley: …with the king. Year strument of oppression in Greece, Buckley: Yes, yes. half of you feeling about Greece. ate. And while this can be—may be and a half, yes. And then there under the guidance of the penta- Papandreou: But not mine. And I’m trying to say to you that I said to be very good in the short were five caretaker governments. gon… Buckley: Well now, are you not can share, I hope quite sincerely, run, hard headed, military techno- And then there was a period during Buckley: But you haven’t made – or are you suggesting that your disappointment about the an- cratic thinking, one can really ask which you were denouncing you that plain. Colonel Papadopoulos is an instru- tidemocratic nature of that regime the question about the long run, father’s policies, and he was offer- Papandreou: Allow me—allow ment of the CIA? without, however, feeling that they the kind of long run that you are ing support of a particular caretak- me to complete this because you Papandreou: Oh, but you see I ought to impose on…. facing in the Vietnams of the er government. And a lot of want me to answer properly… happen to know this because it was Papandreou: Oh heavens…. THE NATIONAL HERALD APRIL 21, 2007 13

Buckley: …an al- amounts to genocide. liance that has kept as I consider that these much freedom as man- policies are inconsis- ages to survive in west- tent with human sur- ern Europe. vival. And I would not Papandreou: Heav- espouse them. But I en forbid no. That last would not limit the thing I want is for you freedom of an Ameri- and the alliance to im- can to make deals in a pose anything on peaceful context for Greece. the maintenance of Buckley: Uh huh. world stability. Of Papandreou: The course not. most I want, the thing … we all wish now in Buckley: Uh huh. Greece, is that we be Now, did you imply by left alone to run our that that Lyndon own home. We have Johnson controlled lots of business in the movements of the Greece… colonels… Buckley: Yes, but Papandreou: Yes, you have…. yes. Papandreou: We Buckley: …or that have—allow me to fin- it was just his pres- ish, you see, unless tige? you…. Papandreou: Oh, Buckley: Sure. No, no. He controlled go ahead, go ahead, go them. ahead. Buckley: Did he Papandreou: Okay. call them “Greek bas- We have much social re- tards”, people he con- form to carry out in trolled? Greece. We want to Papandreou: Well, bring democracy to I expect that knowing every village. We want the quality of the peo- to build a Greece that ple they are probably really belongs to the he would in private. Greeks and to the Greek (audience laugh- youth. And I want to be ter) left out of the Cold War strategic Papandreou: The ordinary? doms. Papandreou: If you ask me now Buckley: I see. I see. games that are ruining not only us Buckley: …not the extraordi- Papandreou: Yes. And are you put yourself, you mean, in an Papandreou: But he can use but the world and you… nary thing. prepared, however, are you pre- American… them. Buckley: But you can’t be. …. pared yourself to see any reduction Buckley: Sure. Buckley: Yes. Papandreou: …as well Papandreou: Well, they got you of your freedoms in this country? Papandreou: ….statesman’s Papandreou: You know, you Buckley: You can’t be left out. there. But they miscalculated. You Suppose that there is some group shoes… can use a gang to do your job but You’d be gobbled up… see, there are also more…. that calls for it. What would your Buckley: Sure. you don’t have to respect them for Papandreou: Well, look. What Buckley: It’s a sort of a Birchite stand be? I’d really be interested…. Papandreou: Okay. For that it. do you think we are now? notion in which CIA is the villain Buckley: I’d ask them what they role I would define what I would Buckley: So there’s a sense in Buckley: Well… rather than…. were talking about. do. I would surely not do what you which you owe your life to the fact Papandreou: We are gobbled Papandreou: Bo. It is not. I Papandreou: Uh huh. have suggested. If in the interests that it was CIA agents who did the up by the Pentagon right now. don’t believe really that the CIA is Buckley: I was inducted into of the nation, this collectivity that coup? … the villain. CIA is the instrument. the army in 1950—which was cer- you call the United States of Ameri- Papandreou: By the way, it Papandreou: All right. Next… Buckley: Yes. tainly a loss of my freedom. On the ca, it is essential that we main- could be true. And as a matter of Buckley: Go Ahead. Papandreou: You have to look other hand, I understood this as a tain—you maintain – good rela- fact, trying to be as proper as I can, Papandreou: … who make the much deeper for the villain. necessary corporate effort at the tions with China, the Soviet Union, after I got out of jail I went to see coup in Greece? Five men. I can Buckley: Well, maybe the vil- time. that is fine. On the other hand, if Philip Starboard and to ask Philip reel off their names… Of the five, lain is the 20th Century supersti- Papandreou: Well, I volun- you yourself are the key member, Starboard to convey to President the four members of the Greek in- tion that democracy is a natural teered in your navy because I the senior member, of an alliance, Johnson, with whom I disagree telligence agency. Therefore of the thing. People talk about Greece be- wanted to fight the Nazis. the first rule that should be ob- profoundly, on the Greek issue and five, the four members necessarily ing the cradle of democracy. … served is that you respect the mem- many other, to convey to him your and inevitable of the CIA. The coup There’s been very little democracy Papandreou: The only thing I ber nations that have joined your personal thanks…. was a CIA coup. And it was a Pen- in Greece. Isn’t that true? might claim is that I believe in free- alliance to defend their own free- Buckley: Right. tagon supported one…. Papandreou: Let me ask you a dom and human dignity. doms and their own integrity, na- Papandreou: …for the fact that Buckley: Mr. Papandreou, I question. Buckley: Well, do you believe tional integrity. And what I charge he really did save my life. Actually wish—I wish that the CIA were one Buckley: Plato’s—Plato’s that the United States… and change vigorously is that with- the people I owe it to the American half as powerful as you depict it as democracy was based on slave. Papandreou: And I’m working in this alliance either you have im- economics profession and other— being. We would have much less Papandreou: Are you prepared for it. posed on some of them very op- you know, the American Economic difficulty throughout the world. I to lose your freedoms here, Mis- Buckley: Do you believe that pressive militaristic regimes. And I Association, united and without do know that Papadopoulos was ter… the United States—let me ask you have mentioned five in my part of one abstention, went to the Presi- investigated as far back as 1958 it Buckley: No. I’m prepared to… a generic question now…. the world. There are many more. dent—I mean communication to was suspected that he was in- Papandreou: Are you prepare Papandreou: Yes. But I’m talking about NATO. And the President. Paul Samuelson, volved in a coup. I also know that to lose them? Buckley: …should refuse to Iran will soon, I think, be in NATO. Galbraith, Walter Heller, and so there are coups in Greece before Buckley: I’m prepared to in- transact at all with any country To add something else, I would forth. And so morally they are the the CIA was invented. dulge a military-industrial complex that suppresses parliamentary consider that it is very poor politics ones I am thanking. But in fact Papandreou: yes. in order to… democracy? to attempt to export the American were it not for Johnson’s interven- Buckley: It’s the obvious thing Papandreou: yes… Papandreou: No, sir. way of life in Vietnam at the cost of tion I wouldn’t be here today on in Greece. It’s the ordinary thing… Buckley: …maintain those free- Buckley: Uh huh. defoliation and really what your show…. THE NATIONAL HERALD APRIL 21, 2007

On April 21, a military coup deprived the Greek people of their parliamentary democracy. It was this same democ- racy that was saved in the late nineteen-forties from Com- munist insurrection through the massive military and eco- nomic aid provided by the Truman Doctrine, combined with the determination of the Greek people to remain free.

The Greek Constitution has been overthrown; free press, free speech, and the right of association have been abol- ished, and human rights have been dishonored. Thus Greece has fallen into the grip of a dictatorship of the ex- treme right after having escaped enslavement by the ex- treme left.

It appears very likely that the military take-over will strengthen rather than weaken Communism in Greece; it might for the creation of an underground and lead to a bloody civil war. Such a development, besides causing trag- ic losses for the Greek people, will jeopardize political sta- bility in the Eastern Mediterranean and the foreign policy interest of the United States.

We express our moral support to the Greek people and urge the United States Government and freedom-loving people everywhere to use all means of peaceful persuasion and influence to remove repressive measures of the military dictatorship, and to support the restoration of civil liberties and constitutional government in Greece.

ties and trade union rights. The Ad Hoc Committee International Longshoremen’s 2. The unconditional release of all political prisoners in- and Warehousemen’s Union cluding the representative of the government of Greece at James B. Hartman 150 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, California, the time of the coup; Associate Professor, Philosophy 24102 3. A return to the constitution existing before the coup; 4. Free elections in accordance with that constitution. Achilles Adamantiades Harry Bridges Assistant Professor, Nuclear Engineering President On behalf of the Executive Board Sincerely Yours; J.R. Robertson Louis Goldblatt John R. Schuck Vice- President Secretary Treasurer Associate Professor, Psychology

October 16, 1967 Eugene S. Ferguson Professor of Mechanical Engineering The Hon. Dean Rusk Mr. E Papageorgiou Secretary of State Department of Economics Demetrios Papageoriou Washington, D.C. Iowa State University Graduate Student, Economics Dear Sir: John Underwood Ames Iowa Student The International Longshoremen’s and Warehousemen’s May 17, 1967 Union is unalterable opposed to the assumption of power by Robert E. Bonnewell a military junta in Greece. Furthermore, the International The President of the United States Student Executive Board condemns any support for that dictator- Washington, D.C. ship and is appalled at the Presidential reception for King J.W. Schwartz Constantine. Dear Mr. President, Professor; Head of Technical Journalism Department

Through all available diplomatic channels, particularly The Iowa State University Ad Hoc Student-Faculty Com- Achilles Avraamides the United Nations, we believe the United States Govern- mittee for the Restoration of Greek Democracy, whose arose Instructor, History ment should urge the following program be enacted in out of the spontaneous reaction to news of events in Greece, Greece: drew up the following petition. All who signed are faculty 1. The Full and unqualified restoration of all civil liber- members at Iowa State University. THE NATIONAL HERALD APRIL 21, 2007 15

cians and under strange outside influence and now they Socialist International United States Senate have found a peaceful way of life. 88a St. Johns’s Wood High Street Committee on Foreign Relations London Washington, DC We believe in the American policy of helping foreign NW8 7Sj 20510 countries and we are happy that American is helping the Greek Government and we hope America continues the Chairman: Bruno Pitterman honorable work being done for the Greek people. We must Vice-Chairmen: Willy Brandt, Tage Erlander, Pietro Nenni, March 18, 1970 be of more help to them so that the Greek Government can Harold Wilson reach their goal for the benefit of their people so that they General Secretary: Hans Janitschek The Honorable would not have to live under the former conditions: we do William P. Rogers not want the Communists to destroy what this Government His Excellency Secretary of State has built and bring back the troubles and bloodshed as they Richard Nixon Washington, DC have in Vietnam and other countries. President of the United States The White House Dear Mr. Secretary: We will always stand behind you with your policy of Washington, DC helping foreign countries and we pray that we will continue USA I believe that you will understand why I am disturbed by helping all the people of the world to live in peace and pros- the enclose article from the New York Times of March 14. perity. 27 September 1971 On many recent occasions I have expressed my concern over the violation of civil liberties in Greece. I have repeat- Our hope is that you continue supporting the Greek Gov- Your Excellency, edly asked officials of the State Department for a statement ernment because this is good for the morale of the Greek of our policy toward Greece and our Embassy’s attitude to- people and to our own Nation. In view of the impending decision covering the alloca- wards these abuses. Thus far I have yet to receive a satisfac- tion of grants for military aid for 1971/1972, the Bureau of tory answer. Only last week, in the confirmation heading of May God Bless You and May God Bless America the Socialist International has instructed us to draw to your Mr. Stuart Rockwell, the Committee was informed that the attention the attitude of the socialist International on the Administration has not yet completed its review of our poli- Sincerely yours, Greek question which could be summarized as follows: cy toward Greece. The review has now been underway at Bishop of New England in Detroit Mich. 1.The Socialist International expresses its concern at the least a year. continued existence of a fascist dictatorship in Greece, a regime which stifles basic liberties with harsh repression The action of the Greek junta as described in the en- and which represents the interests of a small and privileged closed article appears to be entirely indefensible. This is Archbishop Iakovos ruling group. particularly true if, as reported, Miss Pipinopoulou has not Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in North 2.2. The Socialist International calls for the implementa- been charged with any crime. I consider her arrest a serious and South America tion of full human rights in this country and the holding of matter, and I ask that the American Embassy in Athens in- free elections. vestigate this arrest on an urgent basis and take such action 3.It remains the responsibility of democrats everywhere as may be appropriate to secure Miss Pipinopoulou’s re- Personal to work for the restoration of democracy in Greece. The de- lease. mocratic socialist parties have played a particularly promi- June 29, 1973. nent role in opposing fascism, and socialists must oppose all At your earliest convenience I would appreciate a full re- attempts to associate or integrate Greece more closely with port on the matter including all relevant information con- My dear Mr. Secretary, organizations such as NATO and the European Economic cerning the junta’s attitude toward, and possible harass- Community. ment of, the International Exchange program in Greece. On the eve of my departure for Greece where I will offici- 4.In so far aas Greece is a member of, or is associated ate at the Memorial Service marking the First Anniversary with international or regional organizations, it is the duty of Sincerely yours, of the passing of the later Patriarch Athenagoas I, I come to democratic members of these organizations to take all ap- J.W. Fulbright you with a very special concern. I have never addressed propriate steps, within the framework of these organiza- Chairman such a letter to you, nor would I have done so now, were it tions for the implementation of full human rights in Greece. not for the statement made by you two days ago pertaining 5.The Socialist International welcomes the initiative of to the official policy of our Country, towards Greece. the socialist members of the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe, which resulted in the forced withdrawal Diocese of Detroit This statement on the tyrannic situation in Greece con- of the Greek regime in December 1969. The Socialist Inter- Most Rev. Bishop Dionysios tradicts both our political philosophy and the interests of national also urges its member parties whose countries be- Cathedral of St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church our country, which interests should lie with the people, and long to the EEC to continue their endeavors to bring about 24301 Greater Mack not in the hands of the leaders who form an unacceptable, the suspension of Greek association with the Community St. Clair Shores, Mich. 48080 self-imposed and self-perpetuating oligarchy. until Greece returns to democratic government. 6.The Socialist International further urges democratic Under the present situation, the people of Greece, are governments which are members of the same organizations Sept 7, 1973 not free to choose their political leaders, nor are they free to as Greece, not to condone this European fascist regime by chart their own course of political destiny. Our present holding meetings of these organizations in Greece. William P. Rogers “hands-off” policy is not one which is consistent with the 7.The Socialist International reaffirms its support for all Secretary-of-State global interests and concerns of our Country. The abolition democrats who are working for the return of democracy in Washington, DC of the monarchy and the establishment of a military democ- Greece and calls upon its member parties to give moral and racy is not “internal” nor is it the personal matter of the self- material assistance to these courageous opponents of op- Dear Sir: imposed dictators of Greece. Greece, the cradle of Democra- pression. cy, where the rights and the dignity of man first saw light, I am writing to you regarding the letter that the Arch- deserves both our respect and our concern. We should like to urge Your Excellency to give out posi- bishop of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North Ameri- tion on this most important issue your most sympathetic ca and South America, Most. Rev. Gakovos Koukouzis wrote My motivation in addressing this letter to you Mr. Secre- consideration. May we point out that the Socialist Interna- stating that the people in Greece are not free to elect their tary is purely American, purely Christian and purely moral, tional represents democratic Socialist parties and move- own leaders, etc. for as a clergyman, I must at all times, stand for the freedom ments in 51 countries with the support of 73 million voters. and the dignity of the God-made Man. I, as an American Citizen and also as a Leader of all free We are, Sir, Greek American Orthodox people, would like to protest the Sincerely, unjust accusations made against the Greek Government be- Archbishop Iakovos Yours faithfully, cause the facts show the opposite- since April 1, 1967, the Bruno Pitterman, Chairman Greek people have become relaxed, have found peace, and Hans Janitschek, General Secretary are progressing in all fields—something they never did have for two hundred years; the people were victims of politi- Continued on page 16 16 THE NATIONAL HERALD APRIL 21, 2007

Continued from page 15 through junta promotions and better posts, the secret police Chicago Democracy For Greece Organization and its vast army of paid spies and informers, and some for- 4762 N. Lincoln Ave. eign enterprises that may rake in huge profits at the ex- Chicago, Illinois pense of the Greek people. During these past two years NA- Unclassified Translation 60625 TO has become increasingly weaker in South-East Europe as the junta colonels have purged the Greek armed forces of Athens, December 29, 1968 their most able, dedicated and experiences officers, and re- Chairman Peter Scuris duced the Greek army to an internal police force to watch Mr. Ambassador: closely for any organized anti-junta move among the people April 19, 1969 to stamp it out quickly and ruthlessly. In a recent meeting of the Central Committee of the Pan- hellenic Liberation Movement, which has no connection to The Honorable William Rogers Despite these astringent police state measures al is not the anti-dictatorial movement of the Communists in Greece, Secretary of State quiet and peaceful in Greece for thousands of Greeks have it was unanimously accepted that the strangulation of the Department of State dared and are braving arrest, fine and imprisonment to ex- liberties of the Greek people and the establishment of the The United States of America press their opposition openly. More than 25,000 such ar- Junta in Greece is the work exclusively of the American ser- Washington, DC rests were made during 1968 alone. vices and of the American Embassy here. 20520 Greece’s Nobel prize winning poet, George Seferis ac- It was therefore unanimously decided that every Ameri- We of Democracy For Greece organization, speaking on cused the military junta recently of enforcing a state of tor- can who until now was considered a friend and ally, should behalf of the overwhelming majority of Americans of Hel- por in which all intellectual values are being submerged in a be regarded as an enemy of the Greek people, and as of Feb- lenic descent, wish to express our concern over the effect swamp, and of imposing a government which is utterly con- ruary 1, 1968 (sic) instructions will be given to the organs that the undemocratic military regime in Greece is having trary to the ideals for which the Greek people so magnifi- of the Panhellenic Liberation Movement to act against the upon the NATO alliance and America’s image, prestige and cently fought in WWII. Americans here, civilian and military, as they acted during standing as leader of the Free World. the occupation against the German conquerors. In a remote mountain village in southern Greece, the We would also like to bring to your attention, Sir, the most famous Greek composer, Mikis Theodorakis, (Zorba It has been decided to make this known to you, and present plight of one of America’s oldest allys- the people of the Greek), is held in heavily guarded exile by the junta. He through you to the American Government, in the hope that Greece- because what happens to the people of Greece will is ill with tuberculosis and heart trouble. His vibrant per- during the intervening period of time and perhaps at the ultimately effect the interests of our country-the United sonality and prolific musical talent is not almost broken by last moment, you may do away with the situation created in States- and we sincerely believe that the United States can two years of hiding, imprisonment and exile. Greece by you, by holding free elections and not with the exercise its tremendous influence and popularity on behalf pseudo-constitutions with which it appears that you and of the people of Greece in their silences yearning to emulate We ask your assistance Sur for the immediate realist of your protégés the Junta are trying to deceive international America and its free and democratic institutions. this man of the arts from confinement and for proper med- public opinion. ical care to be administered to him because this outstanding April 21 marks a black anniversary for the Greek people Greek composer does not belong to Greece along but to all In case of the contrary, you will be responsible if you do and the Free World, for it was on this date in 1967 when the the world. not hasten to inform your Government; you again will be clock of liberty, justice, democracy and progress was responsible also for the victims you will lament. stopped in Greece by a handful of ignorant and fascist Composer Theodorakis is the Boris Pasternak of Greece, minded colonels using American made tanks and guns fur- because he, like Pasternak, refused to submit to the humili- The patience of the Greek people is exhausted. You are nished them in defense of freedom and democracy. ating and degrading dictates of the totalitarian regime of to blame, we have nothing against the Colonels, with a nod his country, and like Pasternak has been banished into exile from you they go. Waste no time, do not create a new Viet- It is a date which will long live in infamy in the annals of to die a slow death. nam in Greece. You had a people as a close friend; you will Greece’s long and glorious history, and will be an object les- lose it. son to future generations of Greeks as well as other peoples The military dictatorship has adversely affected the life of the world to safeguard their civil liberties and democratic of every Greek, from the highest political leaders, to the in- As of February 1, 1969 the movement will turn against institutions from erosion, encroachment and subversion by tellectuals and scientists, to the common laborer. The King you exclusively, and all of you will be sentences to death, the same forces unto which the security of the nation is en- has been forced into exile; former Prime Minister Papan- and he who shall kill an American will be considered a hero trusted. dreou died of long confinement, house arrest and bad treat- of liberty. ment; other former prime ministers, ministers and public After two years of authoritarian rule the political maturi- servants barely survive under house arrest or under con- Liberty will return to Greece ty, social justice and economic development of the Greek stant harassment. people and nation have been set back, perhaps as much as a With the assurance of our esteem generation, and the only people that have benefited have Not only has America a vital interest in helping to bring been the junta officers who now occupy the seats of govern- about the downfall of the dictatorial military regime of the Panhellenic Liberation Front ment, and their relatives and cronies who could not get Free World, to aid the down-trodden and suffering people elected even to the post of dog catcher in a free election. of Greece restore responsible parliamentary government Please keep this letter secret from the Junta lest the in- and democratic institutions. tensify our persecution and the situation become aggravat- The only people that support the junta in Greece today ed earlier. are those who have acquired a vested interest in the regime America can do no less if we are to expect the people of THE NATIONAL HERALD APRIL 21, 2007 17

Greece to preserve and maintain the high esteem, respect, hang itself. elections…freedom from political oppression,” and the sec- admiration and loyalty towards America which have always ond “relies upon terror and oppression…suppression of per- characterized the Greek soul in peace and war. We are en- It is not diversity in interests that is fatal to military sonal freedoms.” After 20 years of overt and covert Ameri- closing copies of published communications in our Free regimes, but rather the union of the oppressed people can intervention, after the expenditure of over $3.5-billion American press for your perusal, written by Americans con- drawn together by the persecution of a military regime that in a country about the size and population of Illinois, the re- demning the anti-democratic military regime in Greece. ultimately spells the doom of dictatorship. sult has been the triumph of the second way of life.

Respectfully yours, The American people mist aid the people of Greece to I point this out not to denigrate the Truman Doctrine (it Leon Fardelos make their dream of a free and democratic Greece come is for American citizens to make appraisals and, if necessary, Executive Secretary true, because it is in the best interests of the United States reappraisals), but rather to emphasize what few Americans and the free world to do so. realize—the extent and the repercussions of United States Ernest J. Vardalas, intervention in Greek affairs. The National Advisory Com- Chicago. mission on Civil Disorders has defined the “Negro problem” Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America in the United States as being basically a white problem—the Washable Clothing, Sportswear and Novelty Workers product of a society infected by white racism. In the same Local 169 way I believe the “Greek problem” may be defined as being Congress of the United States basically an American problem—the product of a foreign House of Representatives policy distorted by a phobia about Communism. Thomas Flavell, Mgr. Washington, DC 33 West 14th Street October 3, 1967 An analogy may be drawn between Greece and Vietnam. New York, NY The United States intervened in both countries, essentially 10011 for the same reason. The “domino theory” was propounded Mr. George D. Woods, President in each case. “If Greece goes” the theory said, “then Turkey 12 October, 1967. International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Arab world and Italy will also go, and the entire Mediterranean will be lost.” And “if Vietnam goes, the rest Mr. Dean Rusk Mr. Anthony M. Solomon of Indochina also will go, and then Thailand and Indonesia Secretary of State Assistant Secretary for Economic Affairs and Burma, until all of Southeast Asia is lost.” White House Department of State Washington, DC There has been one basic difference, of course, between Mr. Harold F. Linder, President Greece and Vietnam. The Soviet Union remained neutral re- Hon. Sir: Export-Import Bank of Washington garding Greece but has sent large-scale aid to North Viet- nam. Moscow has accredited a new Greek Ambassador and At a recent meeting of the Executive Board of Local 169 Mr. William B. Dale has extended its commercial agreements with the junta of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, it was Board of Executive Directors Government. And whereas Tito closed his frontiers to the unanimously endorsed by the members of the Board that International Monetary Fund Greek revolutionaries, Mao has vied with the Russians in we call upon the government of the United State to refuse providing assistance of all types to North Vietnam, includ- all economic and military aid to the illegal military govern- Gentlemen: ing laborers, foodstuffs and arms. During the Greek civil ment of Greece until the government of Greece restores all war, the United States was able, without committing any civil rights and liberties to the people of Greece and revises We understand that there is a delegation in Washington fighting units, to get what it wanted—that is, the defeat of its actions in dis-banding trade union; and the restoration representing the present military dictatorship of Greece the insurgents and the establishment of a reliably anti-Com- of political democracy to the people of Greece. seeking economic aid. munist regime in Athens.

We believe that the failure of our government to act for In spite of assurance by those who have seized power But the end of the civil war in 1949 did not mean the end the restoration of democratic government can be of poten- that there would be an early return to constitutional gov- of American involvement in Greek affairs. Washington con- tial damage to all democratic institutions throughout Eu- ernment in Greece, there is no evidence to support such tinued to bolster and “guide” the various Athens govern- rope and the world. statements. In fact, the news of what is going on in Greece ments, expending a total of $1.4-billion in military aid be- gets more ominous every day. tween 1950 and 1967. This enabled the representatives of Sincerely yours, the Defense Department and of the C.I.A. to play an even Executive Board of Local 169, We would consider it most unfortunate if the United more important role in Greek affairs than did members of Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America States were to give any respectability to the present regime the State Department. The American military has made the by assisting with economic aid. Such a step would do most substantive decisions concerning the weaponry and struc- Thomas Flavell serious damage to our position, especially in Western Eu- tural organization of the Greek Army and has exercised, Manager rope, as a nation which believes in and supports the right of through the palace, a considerable influence on promotions people to elect their own government. among Greek officers.

Sincerely, A number of personal experiences brought home to me the nature and extent of this outside intervention in our do- Chicago Daily News Don Edwards, M.C. mestic affairs. In 1960, for instance, when I was on leave of Monday, April 14, 1969 absence from my position at the University of California and Views of the news Robert W. Kastanmeier, M.C. serving as economic adviser to the Bank of Athens, I was Another reason juntas can fail visited by the head of the C.I.A. in Greece. His purpose was William R. Ryan, M.C. to persuade me to pressure my father, a leader of the cen- trist parties, to accept a C.I.A.-sponsored change in the A wide variety of diversity in a nation is not the primary Phillip Burton, M.C. Greek electoral system cause fatal to military regimes as Joseph Kraft notes. [Marginalia: New York Times Magazine] As in the case of Greece where no perplexing or insoluble [Marginalia: Next Page] problems existed, a military regime was established by a Says exiled Andreas Papandreou, Continue handful of ambitious colonels, defying civilian rule and The ‘Greek Problem’ Is Really An American Problem fearful a freely elected government would curtail and sub- Designed to disfranchise the [left]. I said I doubted that ordinate the armed forces role for the good of all people. 21 July 1968 my father would support the plan, for, although hew as strongly anti-Communist, he did have respect or the democ- The people of Greece with their long and historic free By Andreas Papandreou ratic system. The C.I.A. official stood up abruptly pointed traditions and democratic institutions may appear at pre- his finger at me and said sharply: “You tell your father we sent to have become docile and resigned to the military The Truman Doctrine, giving the reason for American in- get what we want!” regime, but in reality their deafening silence and forbearing tervention in Greece in 1947, contrasted two ways of life. patience are steadily giving rope to the military junta to One, it said, is “based upon the will of the majority…free Continued on page 18 18 THE NATIONAL HERALD APRIL 21, 2007

Continued from page 17 that the Greek people are not ready for democracy. In view British bar and James Becket of the American bar. of recent sensational developments in the United States, To repair its tarnished image the junta has engaged the this charge is at least piquant. The fact, of ours, is not that services of the New York public relations firm of Thomas J. Some years later, when I had left my academic career in the Greeks are unprepared for democracy, but rather that Deegan Company, Inc., which handles the Time Inc. and Co- the States, entered Greek politics and was serving as an they have never been allowed by their foreign “protectors” ca-Cola accounts. For a reported fee of $243,000 a year, the elected Deputy and as a member of the Cabinet, I discov- to practice it. In 1841 the British Minister to Athens, Sir Ed- Deegan concern is arguing that perhaps there have been oc- ered that the C.I.A. was free to operate as it wished in mund Lyons, stated: “A Greece truly independent is an ab- casional excesses in Greece but “there are no Isle Koch Greece, and that neither I nor my colleagues could effec- surdity. Greece is Russian or she is English; and since she lampshades,” and so the country qualifies for a Coca-Cola tively control it. The Greek C.I.A., the K.Y.P., was financed must not be bottling plant—“the symbol of peace and freedom.” directly by its American counterpart rather than by the The Anti-Dictatorship League of Greek Officers has circu- Athens Government, so it was virtually an appendage of its [Photos] lated among 3,000 officers a proclamation denouncing the foreign paymaster. [Caption reads: The Papandreous: Andreas, seen with his junta as “a major national disaster” and calling for “the wife and two of their children in Paris, left, and his father complete restoration of democratic institutions in Greece.” The result of 20 years of such relations between Wash- George, 79, a former Premier of Greece and leader of the leftist And on April 18 The Guardian quoted an “experienced jour- ington and Athens was the junta coup of April 21, 1967. It is Center Union party. Both men were arrested shortly after the nalist” who went to Greece to evaluate public opinion as perhaps not a coincidence that the head of the junta, Col. coup, and the elder Papandreou spent part of is confinement having said: “I knew they were unpopular, But—dam it!—I George Papadopoulos, was the liaison between the C.I.A. in a hospital, right. When the right-wing junta declared an couldn’t find anyone, apart from their placement, who now and the K.Y.P. and that one of the two other leaders, amnesty [illegible], Andreas went into exile.] supports them.” Nicholas Makarezos, was the Key intelligence officer of the The third myth about Greece is that she has no future be- K.Y.P. It is also noteworthy that within three weeks of the Russian, it is necessary that she be English. . .” cause of inadequate human and natural resources. Quite coup the newspaper columnist Marquis Childs informed his the contrary, one can easily establish that Greece has natur- readers of the Johnson Administration’s relationship to it. This great-power Realpolitik persists to the present day. al resources far richer than those of Israel and capable of The C.I.A., according to the columnist, reported the immi- One example was the agreement in October, 1944, between supporting the population at a much higher living standard. nence of a coup, whereupon a top-secret meeting of “mili- Churchill and Stalin dividing the Balkans into spheres of Greece also has trained personnel to exploit her natural re- tary, intelligence, State, all the powers dealing with the mathematically graded influence: In Rumania, there was to sources, but they are unused and being driven out of the Greek problem” was held in Washington. be 90 percent Russian influence; in Yugoslavia, 50 percent country. The real Greek problem in not inadequate natural Russian and 50 percent British influence, and in Greece, 90 and human resources, but a fossilized establishment which “The solemn question,” Childs wrote, “was whether by percent British influence. What has happened in Greece and has stifled national talent and creativity. some subtle political intervention the coup should be pre- in the other Balkan countries since World War II has much Turning from myths to realities, the immediate task is to vented. . . The consensus around the table, after some more to do with such pie-slicing than with any alleged un- get rid of the military mafia, which, despite its populist hand-wringing and agonized appraisals of the conse- preparedness for self-government. In this connection, it is rhetoric, has merely frozen a bankrupt and discredited sta- quences, was that no course of action was feasible. . . Walt relevant to note that the correspondents of the German tus quo. The end of military domination is the objective of Rostow, the President’s adviser on national security affairs, magazine Stern have reported that the C.I.A. conducted a the Panhellenic Liberation Movement, which I am honored closed the meeting with these words: ‘I hope you under- secret poll of Greek political attitude in March, 1967. The to serve as chairman of its national council. The movement stand, gentlemen, that what we have concluded here, or poll indicated that if elections were held as schedule on compromises the resistance organizations committed to the rather have failed to conclude, makes the future course of May 28 the Center Union and the left would receive 63 per- liberation of our country and to the restoration of the sover- events in Greece inevitable.” cent of the votes. Is it far-fetched to assume that the reason eignty of our people [illegible] free elections for the Con- for the 1967 coup was a determination to forestall such a stituent Assembly and the establishment of a government Whatever the origins of the coup—and history doubtless political outcome? And does it follow that the ultimate reflecting the will of the nation. The fundamental rights of will yield further interesting revelations—the fact remains cause for the present dictatorship is not that democracy in citizens are to be guaranteed by a bill of rights, by that the present dictatorship represents the failure of Unit- Greece was malfunctioning but rather that it simply was not ed States policy in Greece. Rule by Junta, after all, is the allowed to function when the people’s will appeared to [Marginalia: U.S. policies regarding Vietnam have been precise opposite of the democratic aspirations enunciated in threaten certain vested interests, both domestic and for- reappraised an apparently modified. A similar reappraisal is the Truman Doctrine. Furthermore, it is generally agreed eign? needed regarding Greece before the Vietnam tragedy is repeat- that the junta is intensely unpopular; the continuation of The second myth about Greece is that her people are ed there.”] U.S. support for the dictatorship is likely to lead to another generally apathetic and accept the junta. This contention Vietnam in Greece. On the first anniversary of the coup, The appears to be justified by the lack of any armed resistance, [Marginalia: “No major intellectual or politician backs the New York Times reported: “What was patently a dictator- though this lack compromises the validity of the junta argu- junta”] ship a year ago is still patently a dictatorship and the sad- ment that the coup was designed to forestall an imminent dest thing is that the chances of eventual bloodshed are Communist uprising. If the colonels’ contention is true, why an independent judiciary and by armed forces subject to probably increasing.” have they been unable to discover a single cache of arms the authority of a duly elected civilian government. during the year they have been in power? The struggle for freedom will succeed because the alter- United States assumptions and policies regarding Viet- In any case, developments in Greece since the coup all native is not viable: the junta has no answers to the problem nam have been reappraised and apparently modified. A point to popular alienation rather than cooperation. Despite of Greece. It offers merely an archaic religiosity and an similar reappraisal is urgently needed regarding Greece be- frantic efforts, the junta has not been able to win the sup- atavistic chauvinism. In a country in which the incredibly fore the Vietnam tragedy is repeated there. Such a reap- port of any outstanding politician or intellectual. This isola- obsolete school system is a fundamental obstacle to mod- praisal will require that certain widely accepted myths be tion has led the junta to step up its mass purges, arrests for ernization, the Minister of Education has banned miniskirts dispelled. “subversion of the social order” and barbaric torturing of for girls and long hair for boys, has ordered Sunday church prisoners, which have been described in a report of attendance and has proscribed “indecent” films and maga- Myth No. 1 is that democracy was a failure in Greece, “Amnesty International” signed by Anthony Marreco of the zine. Because of the menace of surrounding Slavs and Com- THE NATIONAL HERALD APRIL 21, 2007 19 munists, said this official, “the first and greatest aim of all expanding Soviet influence in the Mediterranean; the was valid in the 19th century, there can be no question as to schoolwork is the cultivation of the nationalistic and Christ- colonels are a fact of life and Washington will get more its validity [illegible] are infinitely more alert and politically ian conscience of students.” This is all strongly reminiscent moderate performance out of them by displays of friendship conscious. Which means, more specifically, that support for of Chiang Kai-shek’s drive to revive the moral precepts of than by maintaining correct but cool relations. the Athens junta not only will fail to encourage democracy Confucianism. But just as Confucianism was found to be ir- “It is questionable, however, whether the Greek armed in Eastern Europe or anywhere else, but will fail even to relevant to the problems of modern China, so hyperortho- forces, purged of more than 200 experienced officers, could protect United States interests in Greece. doxy is irrelevant to the problems of modern Greece. fill any meaningful NATO role. And it is ridiculous to argue The junta has survived to celebrate its first anniversary that the United States needs the colonels more than the On March 1, 1967, barely six weeks before the colonels only because of direct and indirect support from the United colonels need the United States…. seized power, I set forth my views regarding the interna- States. Greece and Finland are the only countries exempted tional position of Greece as follows: from the ban on American investments abroad. The World “The United States will be risking not only its reputation Bank, which refused a loan to the parliamentary Greek Gov- and goodwill but an element of its long-run security if it be- “Greece, as a developing nation, a nation barely emerg- ernment, extended to the junta a loan of $12.5-million, and comes involved in the unsavory business of helping to main- ing from a semicolonial status, is extremely sensitive about this despite the refusal of the European Investment Bank to tain the Greek dictatorship in power.” is national independence, its freedom to chart its own inter- extend credits to Greece until the restoration of democracy. national political course, its right to pursue freely its own As soon as the dictatorship announced plans for a referen- This critique exposes a basic flaw in the policies of the national interests without placing in a quandary its allied dum on a new constitution, Washington hastily volunteered United States and of the 19th century’s Great Powers. This relationships. We do not raise the question concerning the an official “welcome,” while neglecting to note the prevail- flaw is the mechanistic geopolitical view of Greece as sim- participation of Greece in the NATO alliance. But at the ing martial law and the patently fraudulent nature of the ply a strategic base in the Eastern Mediterranean. The trou- same time we demand that Greece be recognized as an in- proposed constitution. This document excludes those ble with geopolitical reasoning is that it subordinates—and dependent nation which, pursuing is own particular inter- whom the regime defines as Communists, limits the right of often ignores—the political half of the word. It overlooks ests, has chosen to be a member of the Western alliance. private assembly, abolishes trial by jury, allows unlimited the fact that a base is not merely a geographic position, it is detention before trial and curbs freedom of the press. And also a people. Without the active support of the people, the “Greece refuses the status of a poor relative or of a satel- when the junta leaders are asked when their constitution base cannot endure. lite. It insists on its right, while executing is obligations as will come into force or when parliamentary elections will be an ally, to determine is own course. It affirms is right to ex- held, they reply, “When the aims of the revolution are ac- Gladstone pointed this out in criticizing the assumption pand is commercial, economic and cultural relations with complished.” of Tory policy that it was to Britain’s interest to preserve the all other nations, independently of the bloc to which they Ottoman Empire (and Ottoman rule over the Balkan Chris- belong. It assigns special importance to developing good re- There is no doubt that the referendum, scheduled for tians) as a barrier against Russian expansion to the Mediter- lations with its Balkan neighbors, the countries of the Near September, is an effort to force permanent bonds for the ranean. Gladstone maintained instead that “the breast of and Middle East and the new nations of Africa. It insists on Greeks. The constitution will not be a subject for debate, for free men” constituted the most effective resistance against is right to follow closely developments in the European the referendum will take place under martial law, with the Russia. His contention was borne out repeatedly when inde- area, where a reduction of tensions, a rapprochement public intimidated and democratic leaders imprisoned and pendent Balkan states were created and, to Britain’s sur- among nations of the East and West and a new approach to tortured. prise, proved to be fiercely nationalistic and resistant to European solidarity are taking place. But above all, Greece Russian control rather than tools for Russian expansion. insists that its allies cease interfering in its internal political Greece does need a new constitution if it is to take its affairs.” place among the democratic nations of Europe. It needs a Gladstone has also been proved correct by developments constitution that will guarantee basic human rights, give since World War II. Though Churchill and Stalin arranged I remain convinced that this statement defines properly the widest possible freedom to political expression and ac- for stipulated degrees of British and Soviet domination in not only the fundamental interests of the sovereign Greek tivity, separate church from state and centralize the country the Balkans, the Balkan people have rejected such determi- nation but also the legitimate interests of all great powers. fiscally and administratively. But a referendum is not the nation of their fate by foreigners, whether Russians or West- method under which a constitution should be adopted for it erners. Surely policy-makers with any sense of history must Since the terrible assassination of Senator Robert is innately totalitarian. After the liberation of Greece, a realize that if Gladstone’s plea for “the breasts of free men” Kennedy, this stand takes on an urgent importance. Senator freely elected constituent assembly should formulate and Kennedy was an ardent foe of the Greek military dictator- adopt a new constitution, one that will lay the foundation ship. He stated in March that if he were elected President he for a free and open society. would cut off all military aid to the junta. He was against vi- olence as a way of life. I think it is time that those of use When Secretary of Defense Clark M. Gifford urged Con- who believe as he did, who treasure the basic rights of man, gress on May 17 to approve a resumption of full-scale mili- whether we be Greeks, Americans, Britons or Swedes, form tary aid to Greece, he justified the request by pointing to an alliance to protect these rights and to fight with all “the ferment existing today in Eastern Europe” and adding: means the disease of fascism and totalitarianism which is “If the nations of Eastern Europe are beginning to feel a eating into the free world. When countries such as the Unit- greater desire for freedom, we would do well not to rock- ed States or other NATO nations send arms to the military our boat in that region. If we front with our allies, it would clique in Greece to be used to subjugate a people, then they offer encouragement to (Eastern Europeans). It would give are encouraging brutality and fore everywhere and sowing them incentive to free themselves.” In other words, the “in- the seeds which will eventually destroy their own institu- centive” for democracy in Eastern Europe is U.S. support for tions. In the name of Robert Kennedy, let us try to stop this dictatorship in Greece! Not being able to comprehend this horrible sickness. logic, the Greek people naturally wish that American policy- makers would devise some less devious means for satisfying [Marginalia: Continued] the democratic aspirations of their foreign policy. Final Page 6: The New York Times has been more straightforward re- garding U.S. motives. It had this editorial comment: [Photo] “Washington has decided to do everything it can to pro- vide the Athens junta with the prestige and respectability it [Caption: Changing of the Guard—Troops before a Gov- has hungered after since its putsch of last April. ernment building during the coup, Papandreou says junta “The reasons given for this course are drearily familiar: leaders were close to the Greek intelligence apparatus, which The United States cannot risk a vacuum on NATO’s south- the C.I.A. supported.] ern flank at a time of

[Photo] [Caption: Fancy Footwear—Premier George Papadopoulos celebrates the anniversary of the coup he led in April, 1967, by dancing with the Royal Guard. The regime [illegible] prob- lems of Greece.” Continued on page 20 20 THE NATIONAL HERALD APRIL 21, 2007

Continued from page 19 liberately to assign to the whole Western Alliance. will take place without any previous judicial inquiry and Confident that a vigorous and decisive intervention of without any guarantee for a fair judgment. Defence Attor- your Excellency can definetly (sic) prevent such a crime and neys are threatened and no one dares to discharge his du- Rome, October 28th, 1968 brutal violation of the principles of justice, I would like to ties and assume the defense of these people. submit my best personal regards and I remain, These people are not “terrorists”, as the fascist regime Your Excellency, tries to stage, but respectable members of the Greek com- Respectfully Yours munity with a long and clear record of devotion to the cause On behalf of the Greek Centre Union Party and the Dr. Nicholas Nicolaidis [signed] of Freedom, Democracy and Justice. Their curriculum vitae forcibly silent Greek people as well, I would like to appeal Secretary General are speaking by themselves. respectfully to the Government of the United States and to [Stamp: DECLASSIFIED: Authorized: [illegible], By: [il- The accused citizens are: Your Excellency personally and ask your kind intervention legible], Date: 1/[illegible]/07] 1.Elefterios BERIVAKIS, 32 year sold, lawyer, ex-presi- for the prevention of another crime which the fascist gov- dent of the youth Organizations of the Centre Union Party ernment of Athens is committing now. of Greece (G. Papandreou) member of the Central Commit------tee of the “Young Scientists Association of Greece”. Many democratic citizens were arrested in Greece two His Excellency 2.Alexandros PANAGOULIS, 28 years old, student of the months and a half ago and were subjected since their arrest Mr. Dean Rusk Athens Politechic University and member of the Board of Di- to unimaginable tortures in order to “confess” participation Secretary of the State rectors of the Student Associations, ex-member of the Cen- in the Greek Resistance. There are rumors that some of 4980 Quebec Street tral Committee of [illegible] Centre Union Party Youth Or- them have died because of torturing. Defence attorneys and 20016 Washington, D.C. – U.S.A. ganization. relatives were not allowed to communicate with them and 3.Ioannis VALASELIS, 32 years old, Economist, President no one knows where all these people have been imprisoned. CENTER UNION PARTY OF GREECE Correspon- of the “Air Companies Employees Association”, Secretary of dence: C.P. 643, 00100 Roma, Italia the Syndicalist Department of the Youth Organization of the A few days ago, the military regime announced suddent- PARTI GREC DE L’UNION DU CENTRE Thele- Centre Union Party of Greece, Vice-President of the “Demo- ly (sic) that fifteen of these people will be drived directly phones : 686.356/91 – 6778/354 – 8.312.914 cratic Labour Renaissance”, the Labour Movement of the from the unknown inquisition center to the extraordinary PARTITO GRECO DELL’UNIONE DI CENTRO Office Centre Union Party. military court in November 4th, 1968, without any previous Addresses : Via del Corso 476, 4 piano-Roma 4.Joannis KLONIZAKIS, 30 years old, Civil Engineer, ex- judicial inquiry, without any guarantee for a fair trial. De- ZENTRUMSUNION-PARTEIET GRIECHENLANDS leader of the Student Movement of Greece, member of En- fence attorneys are threatened and no one dares to dis- Via Tomaelli, 146, 4 piano-Roma gineers Association of Greece. charge his duties and assume the defense of these people. GRAESK CENTRUM UNIONEN PARTEIT 5.Artemios KLONIZAKIS, 34 years old, Medical Doctor, THE TRIAL OF FIFTEEN DEMOCRATIC CITIZENS IN ex-leader of the Greek Student Movement. [Signed, Nicholas Nicolaidis] GREECE 6.Georgios ABRAMIS, 30 years old, Transport Employee, Syndicalist. [Marginalia: Pol. 29 Greece to Pol. 31 Greece, Box 2155] Two months and a half ago massive arrests of citizens 7.Georgios ELEFTERIADIS, 39 years old, Vice-Mayor of took place in Greece. The exact number and full list of the the City of Hellincon of the Athens Greater Area. [Marginalia: Pol. 29 Greece] arrested citizens were never announced by the military 8.Alexandres SIGALAS, Taxi-driver, Syndicalist. regime. All these people were inhumanly tortured in order 9.Demetrios TAMOGIANAKIS, Employee, Syndicalist. [Stamp: DECLASSIFIED: Authorized [illegible], By: [il- to “confess” participation in the Greek Resistance. There are 10.Basilios ANASTASOPOULOS, Employee. legible], Date 1/[illegible]/07 rumors that some of them have died because of torturing. 11.Eustathios YIOTAS, 28 years old, Lawyer, Secretary of Defence Attorneys and relatives were not allowed to com- the Local Chapter of the Center Union Party Youth Organi- The United States, leading member of the NATO Al- municate with them and no one knows where all these peo- zation. liance, provide the military Aid by which the fascist regime ple were imprisoned. 12.Antonios PRINTEZIS, 29 years old, Hotel Manager. of Greece is not defending, of course, the liberties of the A few days ago the military regime announced suddently Syndicalist. Greek people or the Western Alliance but re-enforces the (sic) that fifteen of these citizens will be drived divertly 13.Nicolaos ZAMPELIS, 22 years old, Taxi-driver, mem- chains of slavery bounding today the once free Greek peo- (sic) from the inquisition center to the extraordinary mili- ber of the Centre Union Party Youth Organization. ple. tary court of Athens, in November 4th, 1968 incriminated 14.Michael PAPOULAS, years old, Auto-Mechanic, mem- The Greek people can not imagine that the Government for high treason according to the marshial (sic) law and the ber of the Centre Union Party Youth Organization. and the Democratic people of the United States, who fought “situation of siege” declared in Greece since the Coup-d’- 15.Nicolaos LEKANIDIS, 29 years old, Proprietar (sic), side by side with the Greeks against fascism and Nazism Etat of April 21st, 1967. member of the Centre Union Party. during the world war II, will accept, without any protest, The trial the role of an accomplice which the military [Marginalia: DECLASSIFIED; Authorized: [illegible], junta tries de- Date: 1/[illegible]/07

WNI 229 VIA RCA LONDON 0335 APRIL 27 1967

THE PRESIDENT THE WHITE HOUSE

MALIGNANT FORCES ARE CONSPIRING TO OBLITER- ATE THE LIGHT OF GREECE AND TO IMPOSE A PRIMI- TIVE DARKNESS UNHEEDING THAT DEMOCRACY HAS NO FRONTIER THEY OFFEND FREE PEOPLES EVERY- WHERE SIRE YOU ARE THE LEADER OF A LIBERTY LOV- ING PEOPLE I URGE YOU TO DEFEND OUR MUTUAL AND SINGLE HONOR A KIND AND UNKIND FATE WOULD HAVE IT THAT I FIND MYSELF IN ENGLAND IN THIS TIME OF MY COUNTRYS CRISIS UNKIND

(signed) Stamotis Niercouris Senior Deputy of Greece In London at time of His country’s crisis THE NATIONAL HERALD APRIL 21, 2007 21

[Marginalia: DECLASSIFIED; Authority [illegible]; By [Marginalia: POL 23-9 GREECE – 12-1-67 to POL 23-9 What impressed me tremendously with Mr. Papadopou- [illegible]; Date: 1/[illegible]/07 GREECE – 8-1-69 Box 2153] los and the other members of the government was that they are the first to admit that they are by no means perfect in all Page 2 that they do, but they are trying with all of their capabilities and conscience to furnish Greece with good government. BECAUSE I AM CUT OFF FROM MY BROTHERS KIND BECAUSE I AM THE ONLY GREEK DEPUTY WHO IS FREE July 26, 1973 Insofar as Greece’s military posture is concerned, I am TO CALL OUT TO YOU AND YOUR PEOPLE I AM THE SE- convinced that the majority of the officers and men com- NIOR DEPUTY OF GREECE BEYOND THAT I AM A GREEK The Honorable William P. Rogers prising the Armed Forces possess a high esprit de corps, and CITIZEN BEYOND THAT I AM A DEMOCRAT THIS GIVES Secretary of State of the United States excellent morale. They are proud men who feel a keen ME THE RIGHT AND THE DUTY TO CALL OU TO YOU AND U.S. Department of State obligation to fulfill the NATO obligation, and as observed by YOUR PEOPLE I PRAY YOU TO USE YOUR GREAT VOICE Washington, D.C. our own General Goodpaster, and Admiral Zumwalt, their AND YOUR GREAT OFFICE TO BLAST THESE PURVEYORS contributions have been excellent. OF VIOLENCE AND RETROGRESSION THE NEED IS UR- My Dear Secretary Rogers: GENT AND OF TODAY EACH HOURS SILENCE AND HESIS- I feel Mr. Secretary, that as an American of Greek de- TATION GIVES COMFORT AND STRENGTH TO THE COM- This will confirm the briefing I gave the Honorable Roger scent, our ties, and philosophies are similar with those of MON ENEMY BE SURE SIR THAT THE GREEK PEOPLE Davis, and George Churchill, concerning my trip to Greece Greece. Certainly, we have no better friend and ally than we WILL NOT SUBMIT TO OPPRESSION THEIR OPPOSITION earlier this month. do with Greece, and its people. I resent, the continuous crit- IS CERTAIN THEIR VICTORY IS INEVITABLE WITH YOUR icisms of the present government, by certain members of HELP As you know, I did meet with the Prime Minister of the Congress, who in my opinion are making comments Senior Deputy of Greece Greece, Mr. George Papadopoulos, as well as the Vice Pre- that you are well aware of, for the sole purpose of political In London at time of mier Mr. Stylianos Patakos. Both Mr. Papadopoulos and Mr. expediency. Additionally, certain members of the press me- Of his country’s crisis Patakos asked to be remembered to you with the fondest re- dia, are quick to condemn the present government without gards. Specifically, the message that Mr. Papadopoulos gave being truly informed of its posture, and its activities. Cer- me for you, was that it is his desire and that of his col- tainly, we should not for the sake of some misguided indi- leagues, to continue the friendliest of relationships with our viduals, jeopardize our position in southern Europe, where WA007 NL PD 9 EXTRA country, to do all that is possible for our mutual interests, to we have a faithful and good friend in Greece. You more NEW YORK NY 27 devote their abilities and energies to building a better than anybody knows what the international situation actu- Greece under the democratic regime. Mr. Papadopoulos in- ally is, and you have seen classical illustrations of a total formed me that he and his colleagues have pledged them- change of attitude from nations that we have supported, THE PRESIDENT selves to do everything possible in providing the Greek peo- spent huge sums of money, only to be ultimately turned THE WHITE HOUSE ple with the best type of government they can offer. away either because of new political affiliations, or because of economic improvement, and a dislike for the hand of WE URGENTLY ASK THAT YOU INTERCEDE IMMEDI- My recent trip, left me with the distinct impression, that friendship which we extended. ATELY ON BEHALF OF THE INTERNATIONALLY the average Greek, living and working in the cities and sur- RENOWNED GREEK COMPOSER MILIS THEODAORAKIS, rounding areas, feels a great deal of security to say nothing Page 3- July 26, 1973 WHO WAS RECENTLY ARRESTED BY THE GREEK MILI- of prosperity under the Papadopoulos government. I made TARY JUNTA. it a This, is not the case in Greece. I feel everything should THEODORAKIS HAS BECOME THE SYMBOL OF RESIS- be done to strengthen our ties with this great nation, and TANCE TO THE INHUMANITY AND OPPRESSION OF THE [Marginalia: (signed John N. Parke) we should lend all the support we can to present govern- CURRENT MILITARY REGIME, AND HIS LIFE IS THERE- ment who are attempting to create stability and balance FORE IN PARTICULAR DANGER. THE JUNTA IS VERY Page 2 – July 26, 1973 once and for all. I strongly believe, that in the event that the CONCERNED ABOUT IS INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION present government of Greece does not fulfill or live up to AND TAKES CAREFUL NOTE OF UNITED STATES REAC- point, to talk with a number of individuals, in order to its promises and expectations, the Greek people will rescind TION TO ITS ACTION. IT IS THEREFORE IMPERATIVE get a totally unbiased opinion concerning the political cli- their vote of confidence as they well have the right to do. THAT THE UNITED STATES ACT TO PREVENT THE BRU- mate as it exists, and the feeling of the man on the street TAL TREATMENT THEODORAKIS WILL NO DOUBT RE- concerning the present government. My conclusion, was I will be pleased to report to you at any time that I feel CEIVE UNLESS THE MILITARY DICTATORS ARE MADE TO that by and large the majority of the Greek people are in fa- there is information of a constructive nature that you REALIZE THAT THE WORLD, AND THE UNITED STATES vor of the present government and express themselves in should be appraised of, and assuring you of my appreciation IN PARTICULAR, WILL NTO ALLOW THEM TO INDULGE that vain. The obvious accomplishments in economics, and support of all of your great achievements as our Secre- THEIR INHUMANITY WITH IMPUNITY. WE THEREFORE, tourism, building and improvements are visible for all to tary of State, APPEAL TO YOUR SENSE OF JUSTICE AND HUMANITY, observe and take note of. From chambermaids in hotels, to I remain ANS (sic) ASK YOU TO USE YOUR GOOD OFFICES, AS taxi drivers, who I have found as a class universally seem to Most cordially, YOU DID ON THE CASE OF ANDREAS PAPANDREOU, TO be able to place their finger on the pulse of an area, ex- John N. Parker INSURE THAT THEODOR[illegible] EXECUTED. pressed the overall feeling that this particular government JNP: cm has finally given the average Greek a feeling of permanency [illegible] FOR DEMOCRACY AND FREED [illegible] and stability. [illegible] NEW YORK NY 10010. 22 THE NATIONAL HERALD APRIL 21, 2007

Washington Star While the regime in Greece resents this crit- ally remains critical of the junta and its in- release of all political prisoners and general INTERPRETIVE REPORT icism, its opponents feel it is not strong ternal policies. elections would “clear the air” and elimi- enough. Despite the fact that political persecution nate Greece’s ostracism, is Tasca’s view. By ANDREW BOROWIEC Former politicians now in opposition in Greece now is no greater than under the But the “colonels” have to consider the Star Staff Weekly Writer and a sizeable part of the Greek population previous parliamentary regimes, Europe re- problem of their own survival. Although in feel American is the regime’s main backer. mains opposed to the junta which stems the past four years they have scored a re- ATHENS- Slowly but unmistakably, the This, many diplomats believe, ruins the from the bloodless coup of April 21, 1967. markable economic success, politically they United States is losing is ability to influence chances of America’s leverage here if and are still basically insecure. the course of events in Greece. when the regime changes. CHARGES INVOLVE THE CIA That is why all American arguments in On the surface, all signs of American It is a difficult situation in which few Charges have been made by some rep- favor of general elections and at least some presence are still here. Heavy American clearcut answers and decisions are possible. utable West European politicians that the form of transition have carried little weight. arms are again arriving in Greece ports af- It complicates America’s role in this strate- U.S. Central Intelligence Agency “runs The reestablishment of heavy American ter a three-year embargo. The U.S. 6th Fleet gic Mediterranean enough. Greece.” arms shipments—to the tune of $5 mil- operating in the Mediterranean can drop Country, (sic) damages its popularity In reality, while there is some obvious co- lion—was viewed as an essential measure anchor in almost any Greek port and Ameri- and exposes American diplomat in Greece operation between the American military aimed at permitting Greece to function as a can missiles pointing at the Soviet Union to considerable strain. and intelligence service and the Greek full-fledged NATO member in the insecure are deployed in the country. army, the United States has little influence Mediterranean. Greece continues to be an active mem- STRAIN AFFECTING TIES here. The opposition—vocal mainly in exile— ber of the North Atlantic Treaty Organiza- Despite assurance by many Greek offi- Stability in Greece in the generally un- attacked the shipments as a proof of Ameri- tion and despite its own policy of friendship cials that “all is well” and “we are friends,” stable and explosive Mediterranean area is ca’s collusion and support for the colonels. and cooperation with Soviet bloc countries, the strain of the situation is increasingly viewed as crucial by American diplomats. Some junta members were not elated take a cautious approach to any idea of re- creeping into Greek-American relations. IN Yet the same diplomats stress they do not simply because they felt the amount was in- duction of military forces. the long run, it may cause greater complica- desire “stability at any price.” The United sufficient for the needs of the Greek army. The major factor causing setback for the tions. States they insist, “is not committed to the In the vicious circle of arguments and American policy here centers on the nature At a recent meeting of the Council of Eu- colonels at all cost.” counterarguments, one thing appears cer- of the regime-a basically right wing military rope in Strasbourg, U.S. Asst. Secretary of Because no other possibility has loomed tain: junta refusing, for the sake of is survival, to State for European Affairs Martin J. Hilde- on the Greek political horizon, the United The United States has less and less to say return the country to traditional parliamen- brand reportedly expressed the view that States has little choice. in Greece. As time goes by, American influ- tary democracy. the army-backed regime enjoys the “broad In his contacts with members of the rul- ence is bound to decrease. support” of the Greek people. ing junta, U.S. Ambassador Henry J. Tasca And if one day the Greek colonels decide U.S. PUBLIC OPINION Although a number of observers agree has tried to insist on the importance of a re- to relinquish their grip on the country, the A large segment of American public with this assessment, it was not a popular turn to parliamentary democracy. United States would be even in a weaker opinion remains highly critical of the junta. statement in Western Europe which gener- A full application of the constitution, the position. Greek Americans Against the Junta

Continued from page 11 the constitution in the mid-1960s, the anti-junta movement. In its for- nals noted still exist and Modern happens to be current American for- and he denounced the junta from mative years and early symposia, the Greek Studies programs have eign policy rather than with their Greek American public against the the onset. When the colonels fell in MGSA often focused on the origins grown in number. Hellenic heritage. All these and re- junta. But it was only the horren- 1974, the conservative Karamanlis, of the Greek tyrants.. Later, it would Artists active in the anti-junta lated points are debatable. What is dous attempt to assassinate Arch- trusted by the right and respected by launch the Journal of Modern Greek movement also remain much in evi- not debatable is that the junta peri- bishop Makarios in the coup that the left, had established the creden- Studies. Among the MGSA’s dence. Dino Siotis, for one, has been od initiated an estrangement of brought on the Turkish invasion that tials to lead Greece to normalcy. The founders was Harry Psomiades, the publisher of important transoceanic sorts between Greek Americans and made Greek America realize the ensuing six years were perhaps the director of the Center for Byzantine cultural journals such as The homeland Greeks. colonels were utterly despicable. finest in his career. He resolutely led and Modern Greek Studies at Aegean Review and Mondo Greco. From the vantage point of four Greece into the EU. Part of that effort Queens College. The Center had the Peter Pappas went on to become an The present era is quite a differ- decades, we can see that the colonels included putting a period to the civil enormous advantage of being locat- editor of a Greek American weekly ent time than the one in which pro- inadvertently brought on the very re- war by legalizing the Communist ing in that section of Queens with and is now among the editors of the duced a Greece that bred military forms they had hoped to thwart. The Party and allowing the civil war ex- the largest Greek population in on-line magazine greekworks.com dictators and Greek Americans who colonels thought they were carrying iles to return. Another unintended America, and one that was being which also has published important did not oppose tyrants. Formerly forward the authoritarian form of consequences of the junta was that it strongly reinforced by the huge im- books such as Spero Vryonis’ expose impoverished Greece is now so government that had been imposed catalyzed political discourse about migrant wave of 1965-1980. Using of the expulsion of the Greeks from prosperous that it has become an on Greece since the nineteenth cen- Greece within the United States. All that leverage, Queens sponsored the Istanbul in 1955. Thus, although importer of immigrants rather than tury; but unintentionally, they of us in the anti-junta movement creation of the Journal of Modern the passion of the anti-junta period an exporter. Fifty years has also brought that period to an end. Their needed to understand the traditions Hellenism, numerous public events, and the fervor associated with rally- changed Greek America, now more disastrous regime permanently that had produce these colonels. and a series of books on modern ing to defend Cyprus after the inva- affluent than ever and far more con- soured the Greek public on military What was it in contemporary Greek Greece and the diaspora. sion by Turkey inevitably have lost fident of its ethnic identity. What solutions to its political and econom- society that had bred a civil war in momentum, the junta period in should be evident when we recon- ic problems. Since the fall of the jun- the 1940s and a dictatorship in the SOME ANTI-JUNTA activities re- Greece inadvertently generated im- sider the junta era is that Greek ta, Greek political life increasingly 1960s? Not only did we want this turned to Greece after the fall of the portant and positive on-going links America must never again be so dis- has followed the pattern of the most junta to end, we wanted to write te- junta to take part in political life between Greece and Greek Ameri- tant from Greek realities as it was in advanced Western democracies. los to the tradition of periodic mili- there. Theodore Stathis, one of the ca. 1967 and homeland Greeks must tary dictatorships. One of the first to ACFDG stalwarts, became a mem- continue their recent enthusiasm COSTAS KARAMANLIS played a take on these issues was a group of ber of parliament, and a number of Not all the long-term conse- for learning more about the realities major role in that transition, a role academics in Indianapolis who be- academics such as Nick Petropou- quences have been positive. The of the diaspora in America. All of us that was not anticipated by many in gan a periodical that eventually took los, the founder of the JHD took up Greeks of Greece remain convinced will profit greatly from such an in- the anti-junta movement. When the name Journal of the Hellenic Di- educational positions in Greece. the US sponsored the junta and tra-ethnic dynamic. We can more Lambrakis had been murdered in aspora. The majority, however, remained in complain that Greek Americans did easily embrace these new realities Thessaloniki in 1963, Karamanlis Even more eventful than the the US and took on increasing not rally for democracy as they of a new century if we desist from had resigned his office and gone into founding of the JHD, was the forma- prominent roles in the community’s should have. Homeland Greeks of- patronizing each other for what self-exile in Paris. He did not partici- tion of the Modern Greek Studies As- educational, social, and political ten assert that Greek Americans each sees as the other’s under-de- pate in the pre-election violations of sociation by academics involved in life. All three of the academic jour- more closely identify with whatever velopment. THE NATIONAL HERALD APRIL 21, 2007 23 24 THE NATIONAL HERALD APRIL 21, 2007

ΣΥΜΒΟΥΛΙΟ ΑΠΟ∆ΗΜΟΥ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΣΜΟΥ (Σ.Α.Ε.) ΠΕΡΙΦΕΡΕΙΑ ΑΜΕΡΙΚΗΣ WORLD COUNCIL OF HELLENES ABROAD (S.A.E.) USA REGION 2155 WEST 80th Street, Chicago, Illinois 60620-5315 Tel.: (773) 783-5555 - Fax: (773) 994-5037 - E-mail: [email protected]