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Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-11-16
CONTENTS
[01] PM meets anti-dictatorship struggle veterans
[01] PM meets anti-dictatorship struggle veterans
Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis on Wednesday met with members of an
association representing resistance fighters imprisoned and exiled
during the junta era, noting that "in your person we honor all the
Greeks that had the courage during those difficult years to react,
struggle and fight for democracy".
The meeting came a day before the 32nd anniversary of the culmination
of a students' uprising at the Athens Polytechnic, which was brutally
crushed by police on that day, Nov. 17, 1973.
The prime minister also said that those who resisted the seven-year
military dictatorship (1967-1973) provide an example on how citizens
"realise their debt to their homeland, to the state, society and their
fellow man."
Additionally, Karamanlis emphasised that 32 years after the Polytechnic
uprising democracy is absolutely secure in Greece despite whatever
imperfections and weaknesses. He also called for national unity in
dealing with major foreign policy issues, "and for a better quality of
democracy, as well as for the demand to finally deal with the major
economy and social problems"
On his part, the president of the group, Fotis Provatas, said members
of the association requested from the prime minister that the dour
history of the seven-year dictatorship be taught in public schools,
while adding that the premier appeared positive over such a prospect.
Provatas also said that the group requested the restoration of
buildings on the barren and uninhabited Cyclades isle of Yiaros
(Gyaros), used in past decades as a place of detention center for
political prisoners.
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