The Minister of National Defence Dimitris Avramopoulos represented the Government at the commemoration which took place yesterday at the Museum for Anti-dictatorial struggle “HNS Velos” at the Park of Maritime Tradition in Floisvos Marina, for the celebration of the anniversary for the Velos Mutiny in May 1973.
The celebration was attended by the Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament Evangelos Meimarakis, members of the parliament, as well as the leadership of the Armed Forces and Security Corps.
Excerpts from Mr. Avramopoulos’ speech:
“The Navy anti-junta movement and the “VELOS” mutiny, yet in the context of an Allied exercise, gave a crucial hit to the dictatorship regime.
It cancelled the main plea of legalization of the constitutional drift and the Dictators’ claim that they represent and act in the name of the Armed Forces of the country. (…)
When “VELOS” broke out of the NATO squadron, the message was hard for the Dictators.
The Hellenic Navy with the participation of officers of the Army and the Air Force questioned the power of the dictatorship and lit up the violent abolition of the democratic regime in Greece, on April 21 1967.
Although it sounds ironic, the first victim of the Dictators was the Armed Forces themselves.
Loyal officers were the first victims of the purge and discipline to the Chain of Command was torn down by a minority group who literally established an occupational regime in the Armed Forces.
I wish to insist on Nikos Pappas’ decision to raise the flag of the anti-dictatorship insurgency at the time when “VELOS”, as I said before, participated in a NATO exercise.
Not only did this contradict the dictators’ claim that they were supported by the Armed Forces, but the alarmists’ propaganda which identified their remaining in power with our country remaining in the West.
Through this heroic insurgency, the men of the Hellenic Navy pointed out the moral and patriotic dimension of their endeavour, since this movement became the first serious effort to overthrow the dictatorship.
All this, of course, belongs to our country’s recent past.
Today, the Armed Forces, through their constitutional role and mission, are the safeguard of our country’s territorial integrity, which is also a prerequisite for the full function of our Republic and for the free exercise of political, economic and social rights of our people.
Because no Republic can function properly and effectively to the benefit of its people, if conditions of security and peace are not ensured.
Because no Republic can function and move on without any economic growth, social recognition and justice, without strong and effective Armed Forces loyal to the Constitution and the country.
And this is the deepest message of today’s Anniversary.
In these difficult circumstances we are going through, many things may be at risk. But definitely the integrity, the security and the independence of our country, as well as Republic itself cannot be at any risk. Because their safeguards are the Hellenic Armed Forces of which all Greeks must feel proud and safe”.