The Deputy Minister of National Defence, Mr. Ioannis Kefalogiannis, represented the Government at the event that was held yesterday in the Naval Academy on the occasion of the commemoration of the Greek Naval Mutiny of May 23rd 1973, in the presence of the President of the Hellenic Republic, Ms. Katerina Sakellaropoulou.
The event was attended by the Member of Parliament Athens B3 Constituency (South) Mr. Dionysios Chatzidakis, representing the President of the Greek Parliament, the Deputy Minister for Citizen Protection Mr. Kostas Katsafados, the Deputy Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports Ms. Domna Michailidou, the Deputy Minister for Immigration Ms. Sofia Voultepsi, the president of “Course of Freedom” party Ms. Zoi Konstantopoulou, members of the Parliament and party representatives, members of the Regional and Local Administration, the Chief HNDGS General Konstantinos Floros, the Chief HNGS Vice Admiral Ioannis Drymousis and representatives of Chiefs HAFGS and HAGS.
Former Ministers, retired Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers, members of Nikos Pappas’ family, members of “HNS Velos” crew and relatives of officers that participated in the Greek Naval Mutiny also attended the event.
In his speech, Mr. Kefalogiannis noted the following:
“Your Excellency, Madam President of the Hellenic Republic
Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff
Chiefs and Chief representatives of the Armed and Security Forces
Honorable family of late Admiral Nikolaos Pappas
Honorable family members of HNS Velos crew
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The occasion of the fifty years since the Greek Naval Mutiny recalls to our minds with emotion the considerable contribution of the Navy to the restoration of our parliamentary democracy.
However, I feel that at the same time it is a good opportunity to finally remedy a great injustice towards the Armed Forces of our country.
In the mind of several of our fellow citizens, the Armed Forces are responsible collectively as an institution, for the imposition of the brutal dictatorship during the period from 1967 to 1974.
This is, of course, a “heinous lie” – to use the words of the participants in the mutiny.
It is a lie, because dictatorship has not been imposed by the entire Army.
It was imposed by a small group of renegade officers, who attempted by their actions to sully the honour of the Armed Forces in general, weakening the institution itself operationally and socially.
This glaring inaccuracy is demonstrated by two irrefutable historical facts.
The first one being the huge number of Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers who suffered persecution – even tortures – because they refused to cooperate with the renegade Officers’ regime.
The second one being that the dictatorship has never gained ground on the other two services of the Armed Forces, and in particular the Navy.
On the contrary, the liberal ideology of its members, their unsurpassed adherence to legality guaranteed the law-abiding reaction sooner or later of the Arm to the dictatorial regime.
In this respect, the Greek Naval Mutiny was not the exception, but the highlight of the Service’s democratic tradition.
We have to keep in mind though that this action of renegade Officers was also the resultant of a growing social dissatisfaction that released the anger and resentment of citizens and members of the Armed Forces over the regime.
Hence, it was the trigger for the universal moral delegitimisation of Junta’s ringleaders and praisers.
Reflecting back the events of that period today – in totally different sociopolitical circumstances – all we can do is just stand in awe of those who risked their lives, their physical integrity, their family peace and their career.
The absolute certainty that defines us all that our democracy has a solid foundation, never existed.
Just like there was no certainty for Greece’s place in the free world and its European orientation; both objectives stated and reflected in the rebels’ proclamation.
Fifty years later, the challenges that our country faces do not involve the stability of the democratic regime, but originate from its wider geopolitical environment.
Our Armed Forces are exclusively dedicated to the mission that is part of their genetic footprint: that of deterrence of external threats that are targeting our territorial integrity and national sovereignty.
At the same time however, they stand by the citizens’ side every day, thus strengthening the links with the Greek society, through a multidimensional community involvement:
From participating in natural disaster relief operations, providing healthcare to people living in remote regions to constructing small but necessary infrastructures that make everyday life of our fellow citizens easier.
It is the political leadership’s duty to stand by the members of our Armed Forces, who through countless difficulties guarantee our country’s territorial integrity.
We owe them much and I would like to assure them that we would be by their side to listen to their problems and trying to provide appropriate solutions.
Honour and glory to the members of our Navy, but also to the members of the other two Services of our Armed Forces, who were persecuted, tortured and even gave their life to overthrow the dictatorial regime.
Honour and glory to the people who protected with heroism the country’s honour, the national interest, the parliamentary republic and civil rights.
Thank you.”
