Democracy’s 28th anniversary at the Presidential Palace
The 28th anniversary of the restoration of democracy on July 24, 1974, took place in the light of revelations about the November 17 terrorist organization. Since the dawn of that historic day, which marked the end of the seven-year dictatorship of the colonels, when Constantine Karamanlis returned from Paris in the presidential plane of Giscard d’Estaing to take over the post of prime minister and rule a country on a razor’s edge, without bloodshed, a lot of water has flowed down the river of political life. The new era broadened the horizons of little Greece, with its European neighbors and friends and full, equal accession to the European family in May 1979, when the agreement was signed at the Zappeion Mansion in the presence of European leaders. When Premier Costas Simitis spoke of the «stigma of the post-dictatorship era, now definitively erased» during his term of office, he was referring to the revelations from the rapid developments in the dismantling of November 17. The tremendous pace of the news, with the arrest of Alexandros Yotopoulos on the remote island of Leipsoi on July 17, and the arrests of alleged first- and second-generation executioners, left no room for other, equally important priorities. It was natural that the ceremony on July 24, 2002 should go beyond strict protocol and take on another dimension, much closer to the true meaning of the day. Because the revelations lifted a great weight off the State, which now can expect that the 2004 Olympic Games can be held in a calm, safe atmosphere, and off the ordinary people of Greece, who have been through 23 murders of innocent Greeks and foreigners in the past 27 years, not to mention numerous robberies and bombings. «No democracy can tolerate illegality and anarchy,» stated Greek President Costis Stephanopoulos, going beyond the official tone of the anniversary and celebrating the solving of the terrorism case, with the star of November 17 rapidly setting. The personality of the evening was Greek police chief Lt. Gen. Fotis Nasiakos, who, congratulated by all the guests, modestly denied the description saying, «Greece is the personality of the evening,» for the warm way in which the international media welcomed the swiftness of the counterterrorist action in Greece. Seeing Constantinos Angelopoulos, nephew of the murdered industrialist Dimitris Angelopoulos, and Dora Bakoyianni, deputy and widow of murdered deputy Pavlos Bakoyiannis, Nasiakos went and greeted them. «We feel completely vindicated,» said Angelopoulos. «Congratulations to the Greek police, and to you personally,» said Bakoyianni, who, as aspirant mayor of Athens, and Olympic Games hostess at the side of Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, wants security and a peaceful climate for the Games (which are only 740 days away). Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki is the wife of Theodoros Angelopoulos, also a nephew of the murdered man. Helbi’s photographs (and she has attended all the anniversary celebrations, except when Christos Sarzetakis was president) show calm, smiling faces. This tranquil atmosphere has prevented intense partisan skirmishes, both in Parliament and at the celebration at the presidential mansion, attended by 2,500 guests, who had the feeling they were participating in something festive and not just official. Absent was Public Order Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis, who preferred to stay at work. This week, after privately briefing the president, the minister met with all the political leaders. Among the guests were Foreign Minister George Papandreou, accompanying his mother Margarita Papandreou, former Premier Constantine Mitsotakis with his daughter Dora Bakoyianni and her husband Isidoros Kouvelos. Natasha Karamanli was the prettiest person there, in her fuchsia outfit – but that’s no news. At her side, serious and laconic, was her husband, ND leader Costas Karamanlis. Smiling and chatting with his wife Daphne, Simitis posed for Helbi. Among the politicians present, looking serious, were Synaspismos leader Nikos Constantopoulos, Political Spring leader Antonis Samarras, and Communist Party General Secretary Aleka Papariga. A strong turnout of judges included Supreme Court prosecutor Evangelos Kroustalakis and Supreme Court Vice President Constantinos Liberopoulos. With the police and judiciary taking the lead, among the positive aspects of this year’s celebration, accompanied by smiling faces under the pergola, was the atmosphere of consensus, showing calm and optimism. Helbi interrupted her leave. More news means no time for vacations.
