Sakellariou, who was ousted last year as Army Chief of Staff, told Emb officers openly last week that it is essential Papandreou be "overthrown" before he drags country down to destruction. While senior military officials have given no indication of such intentions, number of them have expressed concern in recent days about drift of current political situation. IntMin Tsirimokos this week told Emb officer he, too, was concerned about these rumors. One feature present political climate is existence of rumors re possible army moves against Papandreou govt, fanned by extreme left. Moreover, DefMin Garoufalias, who was considered conservative element in Cabinet, has demonstrated disappointing willingness to accommodate himself to some extent to PriMin game. Now, "Aspida" case has further undermined PriMin's prestige with senior officers. Gen Loukakis as his hatchet man in attempt to implicate army in exercise of partisan political activity in support of ERE 1961 electoral campaign (A-739). First real jolt came with publication of so-called Operation Pericles plan in Feb, in which, much to distress of military leadership, PriMin used Lt. Much depends on degree of pressure exerted by two papers should it subside, Gennimatas could well remain on.Īrmy, which from beginning has been unenthusiastic about Papandreou administration, is now widely disillusioned with his govt. 6/ In view of dilemma posed by two opposing sets of pressures, Papandreou may choose rather characteristic way out by kicking Gennimatas upstairs to be chief of NGDS. 5/ Moreover, Eleftheria editor Kokkas told Embassy officer that PriMin is indebted to Gennimatas for his help in keeping name of Andreas Papandreou out of Simos report on Aspida affair (A-1014, 6/12/65). Gennimatas and to carry out general purge of so-called right-wing "junta." PriMin, however, reportedly promised Palace last Feb that he would make no changes in military high command before end of year (A-739, 3/16/65). Important elements within party, including two leading pro-govt papers, Eleftheria and To Vima, are currently attacking PriMin for his failure to heed their demands to remove present Army Chief of Staff Gen. As pro-govt Eleftheria pointed out in last Sunday's editorial (Embtel 1847) /4/ PriMin's handling of DEI case has been "neither straight-forward, nor serious, nor brave." Extreme left had been eagerly anticipating putting its old enemy, Constantine Caramanlis, in dock however, PriMin's action, after building up leftist hopes since February, has snatched away this prospect at last moment. On the other hand, left wing of party, which has been increasingly critical of what it considers Papandreou's efforts to placate Palace, is now bitter at PriMin's decision to permit statute of limitations to be invoked in DEI case. Conservatives, always concerned over Papandreou's lenient attitude towards cooperation with left, are now disturbed at PriMin's acceptance of army's involvement in partisan politics. Cumulative resentment of Andreas and his activities is certainly a major cause of the problems which confront the PriMin.īoth left and right within Center Union are unhappy over PriMin's temporizing. Pro-govt press, which was such valuable weapon in beating down periodic revolts which cropped up during 1964 is now increasingly critical of Papandreou. PriMin's juggling act, of playing off one faction against another, which served him so well during early months in keeping party together, appears to be breaking down as party criticism of PriMin's leadership mounts. (Department of State, Central Files, POL 23-7 GREECE)īasically, govt is now paying for its accumulated mistakes over past year and half. 2/A reputed conspiracy of left-wing officers within the Greek armed forces. As result (1) dispute over "Aspida" organization /2/ and presumed involvement of PriMin's son (2) controversy over Public Power Corp (DEI) investigation which threatened to bring former PriMin Caramanlis and other former ERE ministers to trial and (3) most recently, furor over alleged sabotage of military vehicles in Thrace (Embtel 1833), /3/ question arises as to long-term prospects of Papandreou government. In past few weeks present govt has entered new phase of malaise which has afflicted it for at least six months. Repeated to Paris for USRO, USDOCOSouth for Burris, Ankara, and Nicosia.ġ862. ![]() ![]() 1/Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 15 GREECE. ![]() Telegram From the Embassy in Greece to the Department of State /1/ You are in: Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs > Bureau of Public Affairs > Bureau of Public Affairs: Office of the Historian > Foreign Relations of the United States > Johnson Administration > Volume XVIġ964-1968, Volume XVI, Cyprus Greece Turkeyġ94.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |