April 29, 1953
MARKEZINIS: According to sources, the minister for coordination, Mr Spyros Markezinis, is to discuss three categories of issues in his talks with government and other officials in the United States. The first concerns the long-term program for economic growth, the second focuses on defense expenditure and the third on the relationship between the US mission in Athens and the government. In order to support the long-term economic growth program, Mr Markezinis is to invoke the overwhelming burden of defense expenditures, particularly following the exhausting war against the outlaws that Greece had to embark on at a time when all the other countries, both victorious and vanquished, were repairing the damage caused by World War II and modernizing their means of production. Greece is not about to revoke its declaration that it will under no circumstances relax its defense preparations, nor will it reduce the size of its army. In view of these efforts, however, it will call for support from the United States in implementing a long-term (three-year) program of production growth which will allow it to stand on its feet again economically and lay stronger foundations for its defense capability and its ability to resist attack. VASSILIS ARGYROPOULOS: The Greek theater and friends of the theater are mourning the death of Vassilis Argyropoulos.
