Greek king’s future in serious doubt

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32873, 23 March 1972, Page 13

Greek king’s future in serious doubt

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyrights

ATHENS, March 22. The Prime Minister (Mr George Papadopoulos) has taken over as Regent of Greece in a move which observers believe may foreshadow bolder developments regarding the future of self-exiled King Constantine.

The surprise move consolidates the power of the 51-year-old former artillery colonel who planned the Army coup nearly five years ago, and confirms him as undisputed leading figure among his colleagues on the Revolutionary Council. The Prime Minister also holds the key Ministry of De-

fence, through which he can influence major decisions regarding the Armed Forces, and the foreign affairs and Government policy portfolios. He was sworn in as Regent yesterday by Archbishop leroonymos, the Greek Primate, in place of General George Zoitakis. General Zoitakis had held the post since King Constantine fled the country in December, 1967, after the collapse of his counter coup against the militarv regime. An official announcement by Mr Byron Atamotopoulos, Under-Secretary of State in die Prime Minister’s office, said that General Zoitakis had unjustifiably interfered in the legislative work of the Government. Some observers believe that the move to relieve General Zoitakis of his duties may herald bolder moves which may determine the future of young King Constantine, now. living in exile. According to the Constitution, King Cohstantine will return to his Throne after the first Parliamentary elections, unless the Government invites him earlier. But more than four years after his abortive attempt to oust the present regime, King Constantine’s future looks as bleak as ever. In recent weeks, three proGovernment Athens newspapers have suddenly raised the issue of the Monarchy and called for a plebiscite to determine the future of King Constantine. One of the three newspapers said that Greece’s Royal Family had been the cause of many national disasters. It said that the aim of Mr Papadopoulos was a new and healthy democracy and suggested that one radical solution to guarantee this was the abolition of the Monarchy.