On the occasion of the 46 anniversary since the Coup of April 21st 1967 and the seven years of Junta that followed it, the Minister of National Defence Mr. Panos Panagiotopoulos issued an Order of the Day to all men and women of the Armed Forces.
The Order of the Day of the Minister of National Defence is the following:
“Officers, NCOs, soldiers, Airmen, Seamen and Civilian personnel of the Armed Forces,
The seven years of junta which followed the Coup of April 21st 1967 and the suffering it inflicted are still graven on the Greek people’s memory and comprise a source of teaching and correction.
The cost that accrued from the abolition of democratic institutions was very taxing on our national interests and Hellenism. The policy implemented by the junta at the time led to the offence of vital national interests, climaxed by the national tragedy of Cyprus, the severe devitalisation of the country’s position and national isolation.
Democracy we all enjoy today is the fruit of the self-sacrifice of numerous ordinary people. This struggle carries on and is daily, aiming at enhancing the quality of institutions and, above all, the efficiency of our Democracy’s functions, going deep into the protection of personal, social and political rights of the Greek people.
The review made after the regime change has not only been positive. And this is something we realise currently, now that as Greek people we pay this heavy cost of the populism, demagogy and irresponsibility that have been – without dispute – some of the aspects characterising the pathogenesis of the period which followed the regime change.
However, the balance of the regime change is not negative, as some extremists try to persuade today the younger generations. The period after the regime change has a positive and active balance for our Country. Because Greece acquired stable democratic institutions, an open and developed society of citizens, an equivalent participation in Europe, steady pace and democratic procedures at all levels, that can function and endure, even in the hardest circumstances.
The problems caused by the current financial crisis in Greek society should not lead us to shallow and irresponsible compensations and, above all, they should not haze over our judgement for historical periods such as the junta which followed the Coup of April 21st 1967.
Hellenism paid dearly with immense grief and national amputation the deflection of the coup and the junta. The open sores of the continuous Turkish occupation in Cyprus are the indisputable testimony.
The priority that comes first nowadays is that with sober thinking and clear conscience we should draw the necessary conclusions from what had happened then and really appreciate the value of Freedom and Democracy, correcting, changing and restoring all the maladies that emerged.
Action itself proves that we can make it since Democracy, despite any problems, allows daring correcting moves and initiatives.
On the contrary, authoritarianism, illiberality and violence are aspects that are accrete to coups and juntas and always lead to dramatic national and social dead-ends.
Currently the Armed Forces are the watchful guard of the Country’s honour and dignity. Not only because this is ordered by their Constitutional mission but because it is absolutely comprehensible that Democracy is the precondition for their force and efficiency. The relationship of trust between the People and the Armed Forces is the most valuable legacy. With high spirit and devotion to their duty, they are ready to defend Democracy, the country’s integrity, national independence, and to contribute to the enhancement of the Greek people’s everyday life; this is now consolidated in the conscience of every Greek citizen.
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Armed Forces,
In this period of crisis it is important that all together united, with trust, optimism and sobriety, we will do whatever possible so as to promote our historic conscience, national cohesion and cohesive bonds, and to safeguard the ideals of Freedom, Democracy, National Independence and Social Justice.
Besides Greece has gone through even hardest times in the past and overcame them. Greece of duty, obligation, solidarity and honour still tries and finds outlets for exaltation, reorganization and hope.
I am absolutely certain, just like the entire Greek people, that these traditional values along with Democracy, the regime which sets them off and consolidates them, have found a potent depositary in the conscientiousness and professionalism of the personnel in the Armed Forces”.
