Former PM releases new book
Former Prime Minister Georgios Rallis, who has gone down in modern Greek history as a man of moderation, always does well by Kathimerini. Not only is he a faithful reader of this paper, but he also provides us with news. And as usual, his latest book is interesting, in terms of both its political content and its style. Among his most successful works are «Hours of Responsibility,» «Those Who Will Not Hear» and «Looking Back,» because they are totally accurate. As is his latest book, an anthology of articles and portraits of political figures such as Constantine Karamanlis, Andreas Papandreou, Panagis Papaligoura, Christophoros Stratou, Panayiotis Lambrias and Dimitris Horn, all of whom belonged, like Rallis, to the late President Karamanlis’s close circle of friends. That comprises the first part of the book, titled «Memories.» The second part, «Speeches,» contains the texts of important speeches he has given and which are still of interest to readers, presenting the author’s broad sweep of knowledge and interests. For instance, «The Aegean, Linchpin of Ancient Greek Literature,» is a speech which Kathimerini SA President Aristides Alafouzos attended at the Bellonio Cultural Foundation in Fira, Santorini. The third section is devoted to Rallis’s critiques of books, such as «The Cyprus Issue 1950-1974» by M. Alexandrakis, V. Theodoropoulos and E. Lagakou, which is of vital interest, in the light of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s proposal for Cyprus’s reunification. Other chapters cover public administration and tourism, convergence, his military service in Albania in 1940-1, and the world demographic problem. Rallis brought the news to Kathimerini in Neo Faliron, but not his book, «With a Clear Conscience,» which will be launched by Potamos Press on Wednesday, November 20, in the Old Parliament, with speaker Antonis Makrydimitris, professor at the Athens School of Political Science and Public Administration. The book will be on sale in bookstores as of Monday.
