The Minister of National Defence Mr. Panos Panagiotopoulos, following the meeting of the Governmental Council on Foreign Policy and National Defence (KYSEA), presided by the Prime Minister Mr. Antonis Samaras, at Maximos Mansion, made the following statement:
P. PANAGIOTOPOULOS: As you already know, the Governmental Council on Foreign Policy and National Defence only just held a meeting and decided to appoint Lieutenant General Konstantinos Gkinis Chief of the Hellenic Army General Staff, who has been until today Hellenic Army HQ Commander and Hellenic Army Inspector General.
That was the agenda of the meeting and this has been the decision KYSEA has arrived at.
JOURNALIST: Would you like to moment on the Chief’s of the Army resignation?
P. PANAGIOTOPOULOS: Mr. Ziazias’ resignation was his personal choice. I have no further comment. I only want to say, as I have heard on radio broadcasts many things since this morning, that there has never been an issue of retired officers’ come-back in the Armed Forces; neither has it been an issue, nor has it been brought into question by anyone.
