Condolences, tributes pour in from abroad
Athens, 24/4/1998
The news of the death of Constantine Karamanlis drew tributes from prominent figures from around the world.
In New York, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan paid tribute to Karamanlis as "a most distinguished statesman."
A statement issued through a U.N. spokesman said Mr. Annan was saddened to learn of Karamanlis's death.
"Mr. Karamanlis was a most distinguished statesman. His political career, which spanned over six decades, is inextricably linked with the history and democratic tradition of Greece," the statement noted.
It also stated that " his principled actions will remain a source of inspiration for many." Mr. Annan extended his condolences to the Greek government and people.
A telegram from European Commission President Jacques Santer expressing condolences noted that Karamanlis had dominated the Greek political scene for the second half of the century.
Reviewing his long political career, Mr. Santer said Karamanlis had played a decisive role in the 50s in speeding up Greece's economic development following the devastation of the Second World War and bloody civil war.
Mr. Santer underlined Karamanlis's role in securing Greece's association with the European Economic Community and his "discreet but effective" struggle against the seven-year military dictatorship from exile in Paris.
The Commission president went on to underscore Karamanlis's decisive contribution to the restoration of democracy in Greece after the fall of the junta and his consolidation of Greece's European vocation.
"To a great extent, it is to him that Greece owes its rapid accession to the European Community as early as 1981," Mr. Santer said.
Greece, Mr. Santer concluded, has lost a great leader and Europe an ardent supporter of its ideals.
In Washington, United States State Department spokesman James Rubin said that the US government "expresses its sadness for the death of the President Constantine Karamanlis, one of the most distinguished and respected personalities of modern Greek histor y".
He added that Karamanlis was a "respected friend of US leaders from US President Eizenhower to President Clinton and his contribution to the strengthening of Greek-American relations will not be forgotten". In Paris, the French Foreign ministry in an announcement said that the news of Karamanlis's death "became known with great emotion" in France, "the country which became his host during the dark years of the dictatorship in Greece".
It added that Karamanlis was a distinguished personality of the political life of Greece, "in which he dominated for almost half a century."
In Nicosia, Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides stressed Mr. Karamanlis's decisive role in formulating a strategy on Cyprus, since the beginning of the EOKA struggle for freedom from British colonial rule, in 1955.
"Constantine Karamanlis, who towered over the political life of Greece for fourty years, was one of the great political figures in modern Greek history... his historic decision to make Greece a member of the European Economic Community, as it was called then, was a landmark in modern Greek history. The importance of this decision was borne out by subsequent developments in the international political scene.
"At the same time Karamanlis worked systematically and persistently, with patriotism and political wisdom, in tackling the national issues of Greece. He was involved in the Cyprus problem since the start of the EOKA liberation struggle as Prime Minister and later as President of Greece... He always had the political courage to speak his mind without resorting to demagogy, guided by the national interest," Mr. Clerides said.
Describing Karamanlis as a great visionary with a realistic approach to problems, Mr. Clerides said he was a "statesman with a European stature, who paved the way for Greece's entry into the 21st century."
Similar messages praising Karamanlis's outstanding abilities as a leader were sent by past and present leaders of Cyprus political parties.
"Europe is mourning together with Greece over the loss of a great politician," the President of the European Peoples' Party, Wilfred Martens said in a statement.
Mr. Martens described Karamanlis as a politician with great vision who governed Greece for decades with "decisiveness, honesty and devotion".
"He was the man who led Greece into the European Union... a man who did not only inspire his compatriots, but also other peoples and politicians of Europe...," Mr. Martens said.
Former British premier James Callaghan in a telegram expressed his deep respect for Karamanlis.
"... Karamanlis's wise and steadfast leadership led to the restoration of democracy (in Greece) and the consolidation of peace, despite the great challenges. (Con. on p. 5) (Continued from page 4) He offered exceptional services to his country and to Europe," Lord Callaghan said, expressing his hearfelt condolences.
Australian Prime Minister John Howard in a telegram to Premier Costas Simitis said that Greece and the rest of the world would remember Karamanlis in particular for his role in restoring democracy in Greece after the military dictatorship.
Turkish Deputy Premier Bulent Ecevit said in a written statement that he was "deeply grieved by the loss of a great politician... (who) offered the greatest possible services to his country... and devoted his entire career to democracy and peace".
Referring to the dialogue he had with Karamanlis when he was prime minister of Turkey in the 70s, Mr. Ecevit said the late statesman "had a constructive approach to relations and problems between the two countries".
German Chancellor Helmut Kohl sent a telegram to President Kostis Stephanopoulos stressing that Karamanlis would always be remembered "as a fighter for democracy, as a friend of Germany and as a distinguished European".
European Parliament President Jose Maria Gil-Robles sent a telegram to main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis expressing his condolences and those of the European assembly in general.
"Constantine Karamanlis was a great European politician who contributed to the restoration of democracy in Greece and led his country into the European fold," Mr. Gil-Robles said.
In a telegram from Istanbul, Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos described Karamanlis as a great politician, whose many years of work had been of multiple benefit to Greece.
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Archbishop Spyridon of America praised Karamanlis's contribution to Hellenism, stating that the Greek-American community "mou-rns his death and recognises the importance of his personality and his contribution to developments which shaped the democratic institutions and Greece's international prestige".
World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) President Andrew Athens in his statement noted the importance of Karamanlis's contribution to Greece and abroad, leading Greece to a stable democratic road and to the European Union.
Serb President Milan Milutinovic sent a telegram to President Kostis Stephanopoulos, Karamanlis's fa-mily and New Democracy in which he described the deceased as "a great politician and a great friend of Serbia and the Serbian people".
Bulgarian President Petar Stoyanov sent a message of condolences to Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos noting Karamanlis's great contribution to modern Greece and Greek-Bulgarian relations.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Ivan Kostov also sent a message with his condolences to his Greek counterpart Costas Simitis.
The US Embassy in Athens in a statement expressed "on behalf of the American people and government its profound sorrow" over the death of Karamanlis, "one of the most prominent and respected figures of modern Greek history".
"Through his farsighted leadership and statesmanship," the statement said, "Greece assumed its rightful place at the forefront of the European and transatlantic communities".
"His many achievements, most notably leading the return to democracy in 1974 and Greece's entry into the European Union have secured his place in history as a pivotal figure for Greece and Europe in the post-war era," the embassy said.
The statement said Karamanlis was a respected friend of US leaders from presidents Eisenhower to Clinton, while his contribution to the strengthening of relations between Greece and the USA could not be forgotten.
[ Athens News Agency - www.ana.gr - April 24, 1998 ]