The same old film?
The trial of the alleged members of November 17 has become the focus of intense media attention and, subsequently, of public interest. No one is disputing the significance of the event, and the judges will undoubtedly complete the task assigned to them to the best of their abilities. But this trial – aside from providing exemplary punishment for those who caused 30 years of bloodshed and pain – is only of historical interest, as it is investigating the phenomenon of urban terrorism which has now come full circle, which Greek society has already condemned and is no longer affected by. It is no coincidence that citizens of all ideological persuasions regard the activities of those who have accepted their role in N17’s criminal activities, and who now demand special treatment, with the same level of abhorrence. On the other hand, the current reality we are experiencing demands much greater attention from us if we are to succeed in shaping it. All evidence shows that the broader Balkan region is undergoing its most radical change since the early 1990s and the failure of the communist system. Constant developments, including efforts to find a Cyprus solution, the eagerness of Bulgaria and Romania to serve US military needs while they bid to join NATO, and Turkey’s reluctance to allow US troops to deploy on its soil, all threaten to destabilize our region for decades. Compared to them, the latest developments regarding N17 resemble an old Greek film.
