Political party in Greece
The
Panhellenic Liberation Movement
(
Greek
:
Πανελλ?νιο Απελευθερωτικ? Κ?νημα
), also known by its
acronym
PAK
(ΠΑΚ), was one of the many anti-dictatorial movement organisations that campaigned against the
1967?1974 military regime of Greece
. It was established in 1968 in
Sweden
by the exiled
Andreas Papandreou
.
History
[
edit
]
PAK toured the world rallying opposition to the military regime and aiming to create awareness about the political situation in
Greece
. Its campaign in Sweden was particularly successful. On February 28, 1968, Papandreou gave a famous speech at the Club of Greek Immigrants (Σ?λλογο? Ελλ?νων Μεταναστ?ν). Later on, a manifesto was published, entitled “A text-book and the Internal Political Net.” The leader of the PAK in Greece was
Giannis Alevras
.
Its campaign in Sweden was particularly successful. PAK was also highly critical of the alleged dependence of Greece on foreign powers, namely the
USA
. Its stated aim was the realization of “radical changes” with the aim of the “socialist transformation of Greece”.
PAK issued the monthly newsletter "PAK News", the purpose of which was informing the readers about its political actions, giving updates about the trial of the PAK members and reproducing speeches and articles by Andreas Papandreou. It was issued in both Greek and English.
[1]
In May 1971, 8 young men who were alleged to be members of PAK were arrested for making and planting bombs in Athens.
[2]
[3]
On February 24, 1972 Andreas Papandreou spoke at the "Symposium on Imperialism" about the future PAK is fighting for, he stated
"I am committed to the Panhellenic Liberation Movement until freedom comes to Greece. When it does we will build a socialist society in which human rights are respected and citizens have the right to participate in key decisions"
.
[4]
On April 23, 1972 the 5th anniversary of the
Greek junta
, Papandreou and other members of PAK participated in a large rally/protest in
New York City
protesting the regime, among the speakers at the rally was economist and political activist
Daniel Ellsberg
,
Melina Merkouri
, Eleni Kazantzaki and Giorgos Vournas. Statements of solidarity by
Carlo Levi
, senator
George McGovern
and
Vassos Lyssarides
were read.
Barbara Dane
performed songs by
Mikis Theodorakis
.
[5]
[6]
[7]
Furthermore, PAK’ s stated aim was to become the centre of democratic resistance in Greece. It not only wished for the withdrawal of the Colonel dictatorship, but it also supported a “free, progressive and nationally free” Greece. It claimed that “it would not accept any compromise in any phase of its struggle and that it would fight for a total democratic victory.”
After the
fall of the junta
, many PAK members became prominent members in Papandreou's
Panhellenic Socialist Movement
(PASOK) party.
[8]
References
[
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]
External links
[
edit
]
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