Interview With Pattakos

( The following interview with Stylianos Pattakos was conducted by British journalist Ade Pollard and CRIMSON reporter Theodore Sedgwick in Samarina, Greece last August 20. Pattakos spoke through an interpreter except where noted. )

Q. What is the government doing to help the people of northern Greece?

A. The Greek government from the first year has started a special program for the frontier regions.

Q. I see. Yes. Then, the second question I wanted to ask Mr. Pattakos is, here in the mountains of Northern Greece we are surrounded by sheep. The quality of both the wool and the meat seems excellent. Could you tell me what the present government is doing to improve the exports of these two commodities?

A. Unfortunately, we are unable to export, because although the quality is excellent, it is not even sufficient for local consumption. We plan to increase production, however, and from 2000, for example, or 20,000 sheep that the area has now, to increase them ten-fold.

Q. Most interesting. Thank you very much. The third question is, the tourist industry has expanded considerably in the last few years. Is tourism important to the economy of Northern Greece, and if so, what is the present government doing to help promote tourism here?

A. Tourism is considered very important for every country, and consequently for Greece, too, for many reasons, particularly for reasons of culture and civilization. Greece is not as economically dependent on tourism as many foreigners think. We hope that through tourism, the tourists coming to Greece will acquire the Greek spirit which is Olympic, hospitable, and the ideal of Greece. We hope that Greece will give once again the example of civilizational development to the whole world. The least of what interests us is the material benefits introduced by the tourists.

Q. Could Mr. Pattakos tell me, what are the feelings of your government concerning the entry of Greece as a full member into the Common Market?

A. Greece is a full member of the Common Market and the formalities remain to be completed and they will come to pass in time. The participation of Greece is not as necessary to us as it is to the European Common Market.

Q. Yes. Thank you. Could Mr. Pattakos please tell me in the opinion of your government, what role should NATO play in European defense?

A. Certainly. NATO is playing a very important role, because through it, peace is achieved all over the world. Peace in all the world [Pattakos speaks this last sentence in English].

Q. Would your government want a united Europe?

A. Of course. And a united world as well.

Q. How does the Greek government react to the rapprochement between West Germany and Russia?

A. We do not react. We applaud it. Just so it is genuine. We will see the results, we will follow them, and we hope those who have signed will not perhaps repeat the mistakes they made in the past. That is to say, signing and unsigning.

Q. Recently, there have been efforts to improve relations with Albania through commerce and communications. Will these efforts extend to an improvement in diplomatic relations?

A. Continuously, it will move to a full resumption of relations. Not only with Albania, but with all countries.

Q. With all the other countries in the Balkans?

A. Especially with the Balkan countries, and with all countries of the United Nations.

Q. Excellent, Mr. Pattakos. Thank you very much. I hope you have enjoyed your evening here, and that you will have a pleasant evening from now on.

A. [Pattakos speaks in English from here on.] I think you have understood that this was a surprise visit.

Q. I think it was a marvelous idea.

A. Do you believe it?

Q. I do, I do.

A. Are you satisfied with the morale which this people, this excellent people, have?

Q. Yes, I am. Certainly. The economic situation has been improved...

A. Not about the economical situation. About the morale of the people-people who are free in order to express their opinion and their sentiments.

Q. Well, let me put it this way. I haven't heard one word spoken against your government, Mr. Pattakos.

A. I am here without guards, as you see.

Q. I would be interested to know whether you feel this is working towards real democracy, in the recognized sense of the word, or if you think you will have to hold a tight rein on the country for some time to come.

A. We will hold by all our, uh, strength.

Q. Yes. Well, thank you very...

A. At all costs, we will hold the situation-this calm, this peace-until we succeed the aims of the revolution of the government.

Q. Good. Thank you very much, Mr. Pattakos.