‘Long Live The King,’ Says Greek Prime Minister

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31560, 23 December 1967, Page 13

‘Long Live The King,’ Says Greek Prime Minister

f N.Z.P. A.-Reuter— Copyright) ATHENS, December 22. The Greek Prime Minister, Mr George Papadopoulos, ended a speech to about IJO newly-commissioned Greek army officers with the words, “Long live the King.”

It was the first time since King Constantine’s abortive attempt to overthrow the Athens military junta last week that the term had been used in a public address.

Previously, the Prime Minister and other officials have ended speeches with “Long live the nation, long live the army.” The Deputy Premier, Mr Stylianos Patakos, and other members of the army-backed Cabinet were at the ceremony.

The Greek Government allowed Athens newspapers last night to publish today the King’s statement made in Rome on Wednesday night in which he outlined conditions for his return to the throne. The official censor banned

the publication or broadcasting of the statement, in which the King said he would return to Athens only when a firm timetable for the restoration of Parliamentary democracy was announced. No Comment

He also called for an assur? ance that Greeks would again be able to elect their own Government, but no Minister was willing to comment on the term’s yesterday. King Constantine’s terms also included an early date for a plebiscite on the constitution. It has been announced in Athens that a draft constitution will be submitted to the Government tomorrow. Mr Patakos has said the Prime Minister will shortly announce the dates for its publication, and the subsequent referendum. Reliable reports said today

the Greek Government was seriously considering replacing the Regent, LieutenantGeneral George Zoitakis, with the Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church, Archbishop leronymos, within the next few days. The move would erase all external signs of military influence in the present Government, which became an all-civilian one on Wednesday when the ruling colonels resigned their army commissions.

Lieutenant-General Zoitakis was appointed Regent by Mr Papadopoulos four hours before King Constantine fled to Italy, after the failure of his counter-coup.

Archbishop leronymos, the former Royal palace chaplain, has been involved in negotiations to bring the 27-year-old King back to his throne.

The archbishop would hold the Regent’s post until King Constantine decided to return to his throne.