The Alternate Minister of National Defence Dimitris Vitsas in an interview for the ELEFTHEROS TYPOS newspaper and the journalist Iasonas Pipinis, which was issued on 27/08/2017, mentions the following:
Question: Was Mr. Kontonis’ decision for Greece to not participate in the International Conference for Crimes Committed by Communist Regimes correct?
Answer: I believe that Stavros was right to act this way because the only thing that Europe doesn’t need right now is ideological remnants from each society to be used for the reproduction of conflicts which can be characterised as historical studies. However, trying to prove that Nazism and communism, seen from a certain perspective, are actually the same, constitutes not only a revision of history but an inversion.
Question: So, no crimes were committed during communism?
Answer: Are we going to discuss if the trials in Moscow took place? I cannot discuss that thing. Is that what characterises the communistic theory? Is Christianity characterised by the millions of persecutions of ethnics conducted by Theodosius? There is no way I am going to accept that anything can be compared to Nazism. Nazism considers fellow humans as non humans or less than human and wages war on humanity.
Question: If in the immediate future, in the context of the negotiations for the third evaluation, the need arises for new measures to pass through the Parliament, will you vote for or against?
Answer: We are now at the point where the second evaluation has been completed. There is a positive reception by the international environment, the EU and the markets, an improvement of the economic climate and financial indexes. So our collective effort is bearing fruits, while conducted in difficult conditions for us and the world in general. Our central aim is to establish this success on everyday life while at the same time keeping our commitments.
It is not a problem easily solved. At the same time we need to proceed to a new economy and a new social State. The things we are going to discuss during the third evaluation are more or less a given. They can be described. We always keep in mind what you mentioned, that new issues can be raised, having to do with probable or improbable predictions.
Question: Can you be certain that no new measures will be imposed?
Answer: I believe that the measures already applied are enough and in some cases more than enough. I would say that based on our success we must sustain a flow towards the improvement of everyday life.
Question: Many people talk about a climate of division cultivated once more. I remind you that Alexis Tsipras in 2015 had said in Kalamata: “Either we finish with them or they finish with us”. Was the use of this type of rhetoric a mistake?
Answer: In terms of political communication it was correct. It is not correct on a physical level. SYRIZA has never cultivated a policy of division. This means that its main orientation is society and its problems. Not the words of the opposition.
On the other hand, since a far-right perception has taken the lead in terms of communication, it drives the communicational statements of the New Democracy party. Classic division lines from before the political changeover are starting to come back.
On the other hand the difference in policy must be clear to the world along with the values characterising each political force. It will not be just a conflict at the level of financial magnitude or choices but also at the level of values.
Question: With regards to the case of Minister Kammenos, do you insist that there is no reason for the formation of a Committee of Inquiry?
Answer: Up till now we had no proof on the matter, just some political claims on the side of New Democracy and an aggressive behaviour by the business cycles.
The fact that a politician and party leader who is also a minister of the government tries to shed light on the case without trying to affect Justice does not constitute a valid reason for the formation of a Committee of Inquiry. We are dealing with a case of drug trafficking, maybe the most significant in Europe, in the stages of judiciary investigation. Currently, there are no clues on the part of the investigators, implicating political figures. If and when we reach that point, something which I consider improbable, then we can discuss about it.
Question: By the way, did you know the Prime Minister’s whereabouts during the fires, when the opposition and the press were seeking him out?
Answer: The Prime Minister was present in the sense that he was fully aware and updated about what was occurring and what was being planned. The planning was continuous from one day to the next. He was giving instructions to the competent minister.
Question: Do you know where he was? Do you believe that it is fair when the people do not know where the Prime Minister spends his vacation?
Answer: In my opinion this is not the issue. The exact location of someone does not matter. The Prime Minister had immediate contact with the developments at the fronts of the fires. He was giving instructions and was in communication throughout the crisis. He was in Greece, if that is what you are asking me. If that is what you would like me to say. However, I do not wish to name the places where anyone might have been.
Question: Don’t tell me where he was, however did you know where he was?
Answer: I do not wish to answer that question.
Question: However, when Miss Merkel is on vacation in Italy, people know about it.
Answer: Miss Merkel had fallen and broken her leg when she was on vacation. I consider the matter not only inessential but also the “foolishness” of the political communicational conflict. It is not a matter which interests neither society nor the public.
Question: Do you believe that SYRIZA must form an alliance with PASOK?
Answer: I want to be absolutely clear about this. The course followed by Europe has to do with a common pace of the Left Wing with the European left social-democracy, along with their differences. This becomes apparent when someone observes what the developments are in Europe today.
If DISI and PASOK join forces with the European social-democracy that is their decision. I wish that DISI will follow the course of the left social-democracy and find its link with the history of social-democracy in Greece. If it doesn’t follow that course then it will become an appendage of the liberal forces and in that sense it will perish.
Question: Are there fears by the Hellenic side that Turkey will try to cause tensions and how will our country react?
Answer: Greece is only concerned with the International Law and the international treaties. For us there are no “grey zones”. The ministry has certain duties which are governed by the Constitution and transcend political conflict.
It has the duty to guard the country’s territorial integrity. This is our most basic aim. Towards that direction, we have the duty to be prepared and raise the level of our human workforce. We stay true to that duty and we strive so that our personnel stays focused on its mission.
We observe with caution an upgrade of tactics on the part of the neighbouring country and we readjust our own forces of deterrence in relation to this fact. What I mean is that we send the message that in the whole procedure of violations we will be the last to land and the last to dock.
