Navy chief resigns over promotion list
Protesting at alleged government interference in senior navy officers’ promotions, Vice Admiral Georgios Theodoroulakis resigned from his position of navy chief of staff late yesterday. A laconic statement by the Greek Navy said Theodoroulakis, 57, offered his resignation to Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou – who accepted it. During a protracted session earlier in the day, the council of the armed forces chiefs of staff decided on a series of top promotions and retirements. Navy sources on Thursday said Theodoroulakis was on the verge of resignation after Papantoniou handed him written instructions on what the council should decide regarding 10 top Navy officers. Yesterday, Papantoniou denied this, saying there was «no problem» in his relations with Theodoroulakis – who had assumed his duties in January 2001. «We should not interfere, in any manner, in processes that are defined by the Constitution,» he added, dismissing reports of a clash with Theodoroulakis as «rumors.»
