THE SITUATION IN GREECE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85T00875R001100160024-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Sequence Number: 24
• Content Type: IM

Approved For Release 2007/07/18: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01100160024-3 6 J
CONFIDENTIAL 6(l
OCI No. 1463/73
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
25 November 1973
INTELLIGENCE MEMOR\NDUM
THE SITUATION IN GREECE
(As of 1700 EST)
1. The new Greek junta is consolidating its
control in the wake of the coup this morning against
President Pa ado oulos.
There is no firm evidence of resistance from the
populace or the armed forces to the coup.
In Athens, by early 25X1
evening the sur ace atmosphere as calm with armed
forces highly visible throughout the city. The curfew
in the capital and country-wide restrictions imposed
on traffic will be lifted at 0500 tomorrow. Athens air-
port is operating normally with curfew exceptions being
made for airport employees.
2. A prime minister and a new 17-man cabinet were
sworn in this afternoon in the presence of President
Gizikis. Adamantios Androutsopoulos, a former interior
minister, became prime minister while Lieutenant General
Latsoudis took over the key post of minister of defense.
Only fragmentary biographic information is now available
on some of the other cabinet ministers.
3. Local Athenians, with whom the US naval attache
has spoken, reacted calmly to the ouster of Papadopoulos
whom, they comment was not popular and "could not have
DIA review(s)
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 Approved For Release 2007/07/18: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01100160024-3
CONFIDENTIAL
lasted much longer anyway." The consensus of those
interviewed is that the Greek people would accept the
change of government and that a business as usual
routine would return in a day or two.
4. The coup found no resistance in northern
Greece and all army units in the Thessaloniki area
apparently have supported the new government. Tanks
are blocking entry and exit from the city and all traffic
is banned within the city. Thessaloniki airport is open,
but passengers from at least one aircraft were not
allowed to embark, although the plane.wars given permission
to take off.
5. The police have made no arrests, but the military
police have arrested the commander and deputy commander
of one army division as well as the chief and deputy chief
of the intelligence service in the area.
6. Former President Papadopoulos, whose whereabouts
were previously unknown, is now reported to be under
house arrest and heavy armed guard at his summer residence
at Lagonisi, in the southeastern suburbs of Athens.
7. Three of the four military chiefs in the Y::igh
command have been replaced since this morning's situation
report. The armed forces chief, and the army and air
force commanders have been retired; navy commander
Arapakis has retained his position.
CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Release 2007/07/18: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01100160024-3