LETTER TO GEN WALTERS [RE KING CONSTANTINE] FROM KUL

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01731R002200030021-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 14
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 24, 2003
• Sequence Number: 21
• Publication Date: July 23, 1973
• Content Type: LETTER

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STAT
STAT
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STAT
July 23, 1973
Dear Dick:
Attached is a statement made today by King Constantine
for your information.
Attachment
Sincerel
STAT
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DECLARATION OF H . P . THE KING CONSTANTINE
OF THE HELLENES
ON -MONDAY 23- JULY
PRIOR TO THE REFERENDUM JHICH WILL BE HELD
ON JULY 29TH
People of Greece,
On Sunday you will be going to the polls. It is
always a great and sacred moment for a people when it ex-
presses its will. That is the moment when a people exercises
its complete power. It is then that, as the sole sovereign
arbiter, a people decides on the present, determin the future,
and makes history. But only on one basic and-obvious condition:
that the people goes to the'polling booths in complete freedom
-and that its vote is respected by everyone.
The day after the total destruction of the prevailing.
regime by the unlawful constitutional decree of Ist June, T at
once declared in my proclamation that I would willingly submit
to your judgement, provided it could be freely expressed. And
.I went onto state the elementary preconditions necessary for
a genuine plebiscite:
I.'Abolition of martial law.
2. A general amnesty for political offences.
3. Restoration of real freedom of the press.
4. The organisation and conduct of the plebiscite
by an impartial caretaker government.
Nobody in the world could deny that the preconditions
I proposed were the minimum possible guarantees, in a country
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where political freedoms have been throttled for six years and
more. And yet we are only a few days away from the plebiscite,
not a single one of those conditions has been fulfilled. Quite
the contrary: the number of those imprisoned for their efforts
to win freedom has increased instead of diminished. Scores of
arrests have been made under the prevailing martial law. Out-
standing citizens, officers and politicians,, are being arrested
and detained without charges being brought against them. The
farcical pretence of a free press has become even more obvious.
Not a single word of my statement to the people. and to world
opinion was allowed to be published in the Greek newspapers.
-end-the--political leaders--of-the country are. obliged to resort
to foreign radio stations and foreign newspapers in order to
reach the Greek people. Finally, an enormous propaganda machine,
financed at vast public expense, has gone into action to launch
a barrage of lies, libels and threats not only against me and
against the political and cultural leaders of the country, but
against the whole people. The object of this campaign is to
persuade people that they must be slaves if they want to be
secure, and that it is now a crime to care for the cci mcn good
and for their freedom.
Today, on the eve of the plebiscite speaking as an
individual, in the name of the legality and on behalf of the
Greek people I denounce all'these shameful things.
What else can it mean, except a callous denial of
your own sovereignty, of your own will, your own dignity, that
you are being asked to approve a fundamental change of your form
of government while at the same time you are told that the
change will certainly happen, whether you approve it or not?
What else can it mean, except an exercise of brutal
totalitarianism, when you are offered no alternative solution?
When you are given no choice? When opposition is forbidden?
When there is no other candidate? When discussion is punished?
When greek men and greek women are being dragged to the polls
to vote for a DICTATORSHIP?
How can we not b~ indignant when, as the political
leaders have shown those whd have failed for four years to
implen tovl6beN c F2s%-asGQDW 4t3fba?M,ROW RMW31 igjnBo&Ae6 Greek
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people to vote for a new Constitution which aims at the establish-
ment of a permanent dictatorship - Constitution which borrows
its main -features from the most repellent authoritarian systems
and which imposes totalitarian role in the guise of a Parlia-
mentary Presidential Republic? When the fraud which is being
prepared the continuation of violence and-the unceasing de-
ception of the people, go beyond all limits of shamelessness
and exdeed the bounds of imagination? When the intelligence
of the Greek people is degrated by the puhlic pronuncements
the missleading promises.and even the threats of their rulers?
When-the new Republic,which has been advertised bears the
ironic and provocative title "'Pre.sidential Parliamentary Demo-
cracy "? When in fact there is no trace of parliamentarianism
or democracy and when the President is not elected but self
appointed?
People of Greece::
I personally feel compelled at this point to declara
in the most categorical terms that:-if I am asking you to vote
against this deformed monstrosity of a regime, it is not because
I am trying to protect the Monarchy; if I denounce this attempt
to introduce totalitarianism into Greece, it is not because I
am trying to defend my own position as head of state. I do it
only for Greece, out of my love for the Greek people.
I have promised - and the promise will always hold
good - that if the elementary conditions existed for a free
plebiscite I would be the first to submit to the people's
verdict as to the Monarchy and as to my own person, no matter
what that verdict was, It is obvious that, since the regime
has shamefully refused to grant those conditions, the plebiscite
of 29 July will have.nothing whatever to do with the question
whether Greece should or should not have a Monarchy. The ple-
biscite is not aimed against the Monarchy or against me personal
ly; it is aimed against the whole of the Greek people and is
designed to make tyranny permanent.
I wish to emphasise, since I want to dispel even the
faintest shadow of doubt that may exist, that the question
whet aro v& aft@3/QYAQ;efaIAQlgDg ifil 1 2iflLOQ @ 'c:% should be
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monarchical or not is one to be decided exclusively by the
sovereign people of Greece. I shall always regard the exercise
of my duties as King of the Iiellenes as subject to the people's
will. It has been my ambition, and it will always be my ambition,
to be a worthy King for all the Greeks, King of the people-who
created democracy and worshipped freedom. And I give my express
promise that I will give the Greek people every possible freedom
and all the psychological breathing-space-it needs to be able
to express its genuine opinion. And I will respect that opinion.
To prove the complete contempt of those who now govern
Greece for persons, institutions and procedures, and in denounc-'
ing the fraud-they are preparing for 29..July, I issue this
challenge: even at this last moment, and despite the campain
of propaganda and terrorisation that they have launched, I
challenge them to lift martial law; to grant an amnesty for
political offences; to allow the press to be truly free; and
to retire in favour of an impartial caretaker government of
general acceptance, so that whithin short time the plebiscite
may be held in conditions guarateeing the genuine expression
of the people's will. And I declare to you, the pleople of
Greece, that I will then ~,ynhesitatingly submit to your will,
whatever it may be. But this is something they dare not do;
for they fear your verdict. It is the duty of every Greek
citizen to realise the latest fraud which is being perpetrated
against him. The plebisciteris design not only to stifle the
will of the Greek people, even more to enable the regime to
exploit the falsified result', so as to enable-those who-have
so far ruled unlawfully to claim that they have now been blessed
by the free will of the people.
People of Greece:
Neither you nor I are any longer under any kind of
misapprehension as to the true intentions of those who are un-
lawfully exercising power in Greece. But neither are they under
any misapprehension as to true feelings of the people towards
them. That is why they do anything except permit the people the
opportunity of freely expressing its will. But there are no
impasses in the history of nations, when people are detertined
to fir PaOW df oar LeasNBn'03K@7/ ?-@IAth@P> V'3tfiM2 t0ypai are
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faced with the need to say `.` OCHI to say NO to violence and
totalitarianism. You said NO once before - and you were vie-orious.
You were victorious even though, at that time also, the force
ran-;eLi against you seemed to be overwhelming and those who exercised
it seemed to have an infinite variety of resources. Alone, you
conquered. It. was you alone, the people of Greece, who won through,
because the others either compromised, or submitted.., or _C.01-labor.ated,
or were blindly indifferent.
you are aain required to do battle with your vote of
.NO. And it is certain that,'if you concentrate all your.. strength
to4;ether, you will win again. If your action; movements are
restrected by force, if the true expression of your will is reversed
by falsified results, you must, at least, keep your mind free and.
you must freely express what you think by voting 1O.
I am fully aware of the difficulties and the sacrifices
involved'in doing your duty. Every day I follow - and news reaches
me. from the remotest villages of Greece the measures which are
being taken to violate the will.of the people and to force spirited
resistance into submission. It is enough to think of the crude
detail of the two-colour voting papers to realise that those who
are. preparing to perpetrate this organised fraud are not merely
shameless but wish to appear shameless.
Following.the totalitarian example, the result of. the
plebiscite may well be decided in advance - down th the precise
percentage' of -YEJ) votes to be announced. No matter. The massive
vote of NO will reverberate with a crushing moral force which will
win through.. Do your duty, and the tyrants. will tremble. They
will find it impossible to recruit the thousands they need as col-
laborators in their unlawful conspiracy, when they are faced with
the united opposition of millions.
Those in power are lying when they claim the support
of the Armed Forces. The Arrzed Forces are not with' them, as the
recent risin,; in the Navy proves. They do not have on their. side
the honest officers of Greece -.and Greek officers are honest as
to the vast majority - in any of the services. Nor do they have
on their side the Security Forces, which have always selflessly
serve s , I e 206th'''3(Fe6 -F 19P8 *61F $ Ot3081'al-ba few
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extremist and deluded instruments who show unrestrained and un-
lawful zeal, but who must know that they will one day be called
to account for their actions.
Above all, they do not have you, the people of Greece,
on their side. And you, as you have shown,'are the only truly
irrepressible power in the land. The students, who grew up under
a dictatorship, under the daily directives by old commissar-pro-
pagandists and followed by new commissars in their Schools and
Faculties, have given the lead in saying NO. One thing is certain:
the dictatorship, no matter what its disE;uise, will not survive
in Greece. Greece will reject it utterly, as the body rejects
foreign tissue. The enemies of the Greek people try to distort
your will, by putting into action the plans they have so carefully
prepared in order to circumvent your will. You, for your part,
must preserve your freedom of'though.t. There is no more honorable,
-valuable or patriotic legacy that you can pass on to your children.
People of Greece:
My appeal is a proclamation of unity, peace and prov;ress.
I have visions, as have your responsible political leaders, anad
as I know you also so fervently desire, of a Greece which is free,
strong, alive with creative activity and the joy of life, with the
blessings of an educated and civilised existence. A Greece which
is not dejected by the thought that she herself is deprived of
that which she gave the world democracy and the free interchange
of ideas.
In full cohsciousness of my responsibilities, with complete
confidence in the potential achievements of the nation, with the
vision of a happy and prosperous Greece, and with devotion to the
creation of a true and genuine democracy for you, I ask you to cast
your vote of NO against the dictatorship.
I ask the officers and men of the Armed Forces and of the
Security Forces, all public servants, officials and clergy, all
those who have sworn before'God and men their allegiance to the
Constitution and their country - and who do not wish. to violate
their oath, as those have done who have lied so often to retain
their hold on power - to encourage the people to express its
opinion boldly and freely. They have all kinds of means at their
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disposal and they know what those means are - to perform this
supreme duty. And they have an infallible guide: their own
conscience.
People of Greece:
I want you to receive this message with faith and lovv:.
Read it wherever you go, tell it to everyone who has not been
able to hear it. Do what you have to do on July 29. And you
may be sure tha',.by voting NO, you will win the day.
Your NO will defeat fear, terror and tyranny.
Your NO' will fulfil your duty, towards yourself and
towards Greece.
Keep your YES for yourself YES.for the true democracy
of tomorrow, in a truly proud and happy Greece.
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STAT
February 28, 1973
Lt. Gen. Vernon A. Walters, USA
Dear Dick,
The student activities should be properly evaluated.
Perhaps, most of the people ignore one basic fact. The
students in Athens live in their homes and not on the campus.
Living on campus assists in the creation of a student-climate
psychology and objectives which might be totally different
from the feelings of the society. In the case of Greece, where
the students live with their parents, any student activity
should not be considered as an isolated behavior, separated
from the wishes of the community. The students reflect the
feelings of the people in Greece. This is why conservative
politicians and even retired generals support them.
What makes the entire situation explosive is the stupid
way the dictatorship attempted to oppress the voice and feelings -
by drafting the students into the Army.
The students' activities are the best warning for all
concerned.
Sincerely yours,
STAT
OEV/ns
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r.
STAT
Please give my best to Matins and be sure and call
me. next time you come to town.
As ever,
Vernon A. Walters
Lieutenant General, USA
STAT
STAT
28 November 1972
Dear
Many thanks for your letter. I, too, enjoyed our
get-together after so many years.
I am returning herewith the copy of the King's speech
and will be showing the other papers to interested parties.
I understand the problem and will do what I can to ensure
a solution in the best interests of both countries and
Western freedom. But, obviously, other people and
other considerations play in this matter.
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MEMORANDUM FOR: DDCI
Thank you very much. I have sent a
copy or its information.
STAT
T. H. aramessines
(DATE)
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FORM NO. 101 REPLACES FORM 10.101 (47)
i Aur Rd WHICH MAY BE USED.
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STAT
November 21, 1972
Lt. Gen. Vernon A. Walters USA
STAT
Back in1Il wish to thank you very much for your hospitality and
the unforgettable day I spent with both of you. I enjoyed immensely' every
minute of my visit with you. Who could ever imagine 16 years ago that our
paths would cross again and under such circumstances.
For four years I have been trying to convey the message to Greece that
this country is not supporting the dictatorship by design. It is simply tolerating
an undesirable situation until circumstances allow a proper alternative to develop.
The time has come now to prove whether those of us who maintained this
position and this faith were correct or were totally mislead and as a result have
been misleading our country and those who trusted us.
The immediate future will either render credibility to our position or will
make all of us untrustworthy and the alternative solution we talked about im-
possible. The choice is not ours. The choice is up to those with the power to
influence events. There is no risk involved in the program we discussed in de-
tail. Initiatives and determination are, of course, required.
Millions are ready to support any serious efforts signaling a return to normal
conditions without chaos. Millions, on the contrary, will be totally disappointed
if the present conditions of toleration are allowed to continue by neglect or by
design this time. Then, Greece and the West will be left with the two extremes
as~ the only alternatives, since our contribution to a solution will become- impossi-
ble.
I trust, in your wisdom, that you will do your best to assist both our countries.
Please give my warm regards home. Matina sends her greetings. She was
delighted when I talked to her about you and, of course, she is looking forward
to the day she will meet your sister and see you again after so many years.
I hope to hear from you soon.
Yours sincerely,
STAT
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 STAT
VIA AIR MAIL
Lt. Gen. Vernon A. Walters USA