GREECE: PREMIER KARAMANLIS REVIEWS FORCES AND WARNS OFFICERS AGAINST PRO-JUNTA FACTIONS.

Record ID: 208397

  • Title: GREECE: PREMIER KARAMANLIS REVIEWS FORCES AND WARNS OFFICERS AGAINST PRO-JUNTA FACTIONS.
  • Date: 31st August 1975
  • Summary: 1. GV Greek Premier (centre) arriving 0.16 2. GV crowd applaud and cheer 0.19 3. SV Premier on dias 0.22 4. SV Army and Navy units march past watched by Premier (5 shots) 0.51 5. SV Crowd applaud 0.53 6. Armoured personnel carriers 1.09 Initials MV/1905 1100/1200/1925 Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 15th September 1975 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: DRAMA NEAR SALONIKA, GREECE
  • Country: Greece
  • Reuters ID: LVA40OCEWS9X95KXN8FM20L7006Y
  • Story Text: Greek Premier Constantine Karamanlis reviewed the country's Armed Forces in Drama on Friday (29 August) and warned officers to ignore attempts by pro-junta factions to create anxiety in the services.

    Speaking to the officers at the end of military exercise "Ptolomeos" Mr. Karamanlis said that remnants of the junta had been spreading rumours about social unrest and planned demonstrations.

    His remarks followed the decision of the Cabinet to commute the death sentences of former President George Papadopoulos and two of his Deputies in the ousted military junta. Now they all face life imprisonment, after being found guilty of high treason and insurrection.

    The Prime Minister told the officers that demonstrations were usual in a democracy -- and even more so following the junta's overthrown.

    The Premier warned them that the Armed Forces and its officers had regained the confidence and respect of the people, and that they must strive to maintain it.

    Mr. Karamanlis said: "For a time some crazy colonels placed you in opposition to the peoples. But this has changed."
    He also mentioned Cyprus. He admitted Greece had made mistakes and blamed the previous regime for precipitating the island's crisis with Turkey.

    Mr. Karamanlis was also critical of opposition politicians and other who have attacked his cabinet's decision to reprieve the three former Junta members.

    He said: "Much noise has been made at (our) statement that will use its right to reprieve the death sentence."
    Finally, he demanded that Turkey respect Greek sovereignty and not exploit the situation.

    Drama near Salonika where the Greek Prime Minister Constantine Karamanlis reviewed the country's Armed Forces on Friday -- and went on the warn officers to ignore attempts by pro-Junta factions to create anxiety in the services.

    Mr. Karamanlis was speaking to the officers at the end of military exercise "Ptolomeos."
    The Prime Minister claimed that remnants of the junta had been spreading rumours about social unrest and planned demonstrations.

    The Prime Minister's comment followed the decision by the Cabinet to commute the death sentences of former President George Papadopoulos and his deputies on charges of high treason and insurrection.

    Mr.Karamanlis also warned the officers that they -- and the Armed Forces -- had regained the confidence and respect of the people, and that they must strive to maintain that trust.

    The Prime Minister told them that for a time, what he called "some crazy colonels" had placed them in opposition to their country.

    He also admitted that Greeco had made mistakes. But he placed the blame for the Turkish invasion of Cyprus squarely at the door of the Junta.
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