U.S. Attacked For Supporting Junta

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31627, 13 March 1968, Page 19

U.S. Attacked For Supporting Junta

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) WASHINGTON, March 11. Mr Andreas Papandreou, the self-exiled former Greek Cabinet Minister has said that unless the United States changes its policy of support of the Athens military junta, “the Greek volcano will erupt.”

Mr Papandreou, in prepared remarks to a dinner of the Washington chapter of the Americans for Democratic Action, said the United States and Atlantic Alliance had been given a mission to protect the world from the spread of totalitarianism. But the United States Government "has found it advisable to associate itself, to ally itself, with totally totalitarian regimes such as the present junta regime in Greece.” What was even more shocking, Mr Papandreou said, was the “open and enthusiastic support” given by N.A.T.O. “Our country joined the alliance to safeguard its freedom,” Mr Papandreou said.

“And now we are faced with the bitter fact that the very organisation we joined to protect this freedom is arming to the teeth the military Mafia which usurped the Government of our country and subjugated our people.” Describing the ruling junta as a brutal dictatorship, Mr Papandreou asked: “Is it in the long-term interests of the United States Government to be identified

with the junta in Greece? And for what reason would it prefer to be identified with the brutal forces of oppression rather than with the democratic forces of Greece? There is still time for a reconsideration of policy of your Government toward Greece. “If this reconsideration does not occur there is the likelihood—and I say this in all sincerity—that the Greek volcano will erupt.”