OPINION

June 16-19, 1953

‘IDEA’ MOVEMENT: In reference to letters published in anti-government newspapers by (ret.) Lt. Gen. Grigoropoulos, the former commander of the Chiefs of Staff and (ret.) Lt. Gen.Tsakalotos, former army chief of staff, reliable government and military sources have made the following statements: «The claims by Lt. Gen. Grigoropoulos regarding his responsibility for inaction on the night of May 30, 1951 are (…) incorrect. Grigoropoulos says that the first he heard of the officers’ mutiny was at 5 a.m. the next day. This is not true, for the former commander of the Chiefs of Staff received a telephone call at his home in Pangrati at 3.30 a.m. by an unknown person who told him to ‘take precautions and not to be at home to anyone who might come looking for him.’ Instead of rushing at once to the (Old) Palace (Ed. note: which at the time served as army headquarters), Grigoropoulos simply informed Lt. Gen. Balodimos who at about 5 a.m. reported back to him on the officers’ mutiny. Yet he still remained at his home, giving orders by telephone and finally, when he was informed that Field Marshal Alexandros Papagos was on his way to Athens, left home long after 5 a.m. for his office, where he displayed unprecedented moderation.» GREECE-TURKEY: The prime minister, Field Marshal Alexandros Papagos, was warmly welcomed in the Turkish capital of Ankara.

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