ACTION ON GREECE

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31902, 1 February 1969, Page 13

ACTION ON GREECE

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

STRASBOURG, January 31. Greece’s Army-backed regime was offered the choice today of withdrawing from membership of the Council of Europe or facing the possibility of suspension.

The council of 18 nations accepted a recommendation by its political committee that Greece was in serious violation of the conditions for membership of the Council of Europe. Mr Max van der Stoel, a Dutch Socialist deputy, presenting a report on the situation in Greece, told the council’s consultative assembly there had been no progress towards democracy there since the military coup of April 21, 1967.

“Greece might well become the Vietnam of Europe,” he said. “The scheduled elections have not taken place, there is no indication that they will do so, and a state of siege continues.”

The nine-point recommendation, overwhelmingly accepted by the necessary twothirds majority, called on the committee of ministers, the council’s executive, to take appropriate action. If it decides on suspension, it will be the first time this has happened in the council’s 20-year history. The recommendation said Greece itself should draw its conclusions from the contents of the recommendation and consider its position under article 7, under which any member may withdraw from the council.