[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 38 (Tuesday, April 12, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 12, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
       GREEK GOVERNMENT'S MISTREATMENT OF FORMER KING CONSTANTINE

  Mr. PELL. Madam President, I have long been an admirer of Greece and 
the democratic values that America shares with that country. It is, 
therefore, with great disappointment that I recently learned that the 
present Government of Greece has introduced legislation confiscating 
property owned by King Constantine and stripping him and his family of 
their Greek citizenship. This is a clear violation of human rights, and 
I urge the Government of Greece to reconsider its actions.
  King Constantine is a Greek patriot in the finest sense of the word. 
He and his father and grandfather were all born in Greece, and King 
Constantine is rightfully indignant at having his Greek heritage 
challenged. Although King Constantine was ousted as Greece's monarch in 
1967, he has never done or said anything that would undermine Greek 
interests. He has always placed Greece's interests over personal 
ambition. That is why it is so hard to understand why the Greek 
Government would take such vindictive action against him. Common 
decency and fair play call for withdrawing the unfair legislation 
directed against King Constantine.
  Madam President, today in London, King Constantine held a press 
conference to denounce the actions of the Greek Government and to set 
forth his reasons for opposing the Government's legislation.
  I ask unanimous consent that the full text of King Constantine's 
statement as well as the draft legislation directed against him be 
printed at this point in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

   HMK's Text for the World Press Conference--Tuesday, April 12, 1994

       Ladies and Gentlemen: I appreciate the time you have taken 
     to be with me today. As you know, last week the Prime 
     Minister of Greece, Andreas Papandreou, said he was planning 
     to put a bill through Parliament aimed at confiscating my 
     property and depriving me and my entire family of Greek 
     citizenship, and making us persona non grata in our homeland.
       I did not respond immediately because the severity of what 
     he was trying to attempt made it important for me to discuss 
     his actions with constitutional and legal experts. their 
     opinions have underlined what would have been my immediate 
     response. So today I will give you my response and a similar 
     reply has been issued on my behalf in Greece.
       I regard the Prime Minister's decision as contrary to the 
     Greek Constitution and as being in complete opposition to the 
     European Convention for the protection of Human Rights and 
     the rules of international law, against the principles of the 
     European Union and common sense.
       I regret the decision on the confiscation of our property 
     not because any great wealth is involved, but because, as 
     many of you know, we donated the greater part of our property 
     to the Greek people. The value of the property was much 
     higher than the taxes owed. This proposed confiscation is 
     even more surprising to me because I negotiated in good faith 
     with the Andreas Papandreou government from 1984 to 1988 
     until the Prime Minister became ill, and later with the 
     Conservative government from 1991 to 1992. You will have 
     received a copy of the terms of that agreement when you 
     arrived.
       What concerns us is that Democratic states do not practice 
     confiscation lest they appear to be governing under arbitrary 
     rule. I can only surmise that the Prime Minister is using 
     this whole issue to divert attention away from tax 
     legislation he is presently proposing and other major 
     problems he faces.
       My family and I will bear this new injustice with patience, 
     as we have done with others in the past. It is of little 
     significance in comparison to difficulties facing the Greek 
     people. But we will never accept the questioning of our Greek 
     heritage.
       I shall fight to retain our Greek nationality by every 
     lawful means at both the international and domestic level. I 
     would also like to issue a reminder that depriving people of 
     their citizenship has always been one of the first measures 
     taken by every totalitarian regime against its opponents, and 
     the deprivation of the protection of the courts is a measure 
     unthinkable under the modern rule of law.
       The contents of the draft law on deprivation of nationality 
     are not only contrary to the legislation in force in our 
     country and European law, but are in conflict with the recent 
     history of Greece.
       In 1863 my great grandfather was unanimously elected King 
     of the Hellenes by the National Assembly with the title of 
     King George I. He reigned for 50 years and set the seal on 
     Thessaloniki becoming Greek with the sacrifice of his life. 
     My grandfather who was born in Greece had the honour to lead 
     our heroic forces in the liberation of Epirus and Macedonia. 
     My uncle, Alexander I, born in Greece, was on the throne when 
     Thrace was liberated and my uncle George II, also born in 
     Greece, was the King when the brave Greek people humbled the 
     Axis and liberated, for a short time, Northern Epirus and 
     Western Macedonia. And my father, also born in Greece, had 
     the happiness of seeing in his time the unification of the 
     Dodecanese and the successful halting of the Slav aggression 
     in Macedonia and the safeguarding of the territorial 
     integrity of Greece which helped give birth to the Truman 
     doctrine. And all of them served in the Greek armed forces.
       It is becoming more and more obvious that the Prime 
     Minister does not like me. That is certainly his privilege. 
     But to say that my family and I are not Greek goes beyond the 
     question of personal likes and dislikes. All my children have 
     attended a Greek school which my wife and I helped to found. 
     My wife and elder children speak fluent Greek. I am Greek. My 
     wife is Greek. My children are Greek. And nothing the Prime 
     Minister says can ever change this.
       Since I left my country I have made it a policy not to make 
     any political statements that referred to Greek parties or 
     Greek politicians. And in 27 years since I departed I have 
     only returned twice, the first time for my mother's funeral, 
     and last summer when I had the opportunity to bring all five 
     children to see their homeland. I have never sanctioned any 
     political party or organization being started in Greece on my 
     behalf. It is very difficult for me to understand how the 
     Prime Minister sees me as a threat to the stability of 
     Greece. I feel Greece is far stronger than that.
       I also feel now, after following with mounting apprehension 
     the developments in our country over the last months, that it 
     is time that I should voice my concerns. This is something I 
     have avoided doing lest it be thought that I was exacerbating 
     a highly charged atmosphere. This is the right of any citizen 
     in a democratic society and should not put his passport at 
     risk.
       Now I cannot, nor do I believe I have the right, to conceal 
     my fears that my country is facing the gravest problems and 
     dangers and that, while Greek society is passing through the 
     most acute social, political and indeed moral crisis, a 
     systematic effort is being made by the government to mislead 
     public opinion by, for example, making an issue of my 
     citizenship.
       There are far more vital issues. I follow anxiously the 
     violation of the rights of the Greek minority in Northern 
     Epirus. Regarding Macedonia, all Greeks believe the Skopje 
     government should recognize the Greek minority--Greek-
     speaking, Vlach-speaking and even Slav-speaking people who 
     live neglected by the government of Skopje. But because of 
     wrong handling, the Greek government has allowed the serious 
     dispute between Greece and the government of Skopje to become 
     between Greece and the European Union.
       The Greek people are by nature peace-loving and by 
     tradition peacemakers. I am sure that any of you who have 
     visited my country will have found that to be true. But 
     Greeks do have a full awareness of their national tradition 
     and the dangerous turn which affairs in the Balkans could 
     take.
       If this is not sufficiently appreciated it is due to the 
     inability to have their case properly presented to the 
     international community.
       This year is the 20th anniversary of the occupation of 
     almost half of Cyprus. In Constantinople the Ecumenical 
     Patriarchate is under threat, and on the islands of Imvris 
     and Tenedos the last traces of Greek presence are being wiped 
     out. And in the face of these provocations and threats it is 
     unfortunate that we confine ourselves to initiatives which 
     are purely for domestic consumption.
       Even more important, the Greek economy is passing through a 
     phase of great and prolonged recession. The domestic product 
     remains at a standstill, if not on the decline, and 
     unemployment is spiralling, affecting chiefly the young who 
     have the most to lose.
       In these adverse circumstances which are so difficult for 
     the Nation, the government has chosen to spend its energy on 
     an unprovoked attack on me and my family in order to shift 
     the attention from problems that have not been solved. They 
     seem to see me as a greater threat than a deteriorating 
     economy and a growing political crisis.
       This being the case, I feel it is my duty to assure the 
     sovereign Greek people that I will always remain 
     unflinchingly and immovably on the side of my beloved 
     homeland.
       Thank you.
                                  ____


                                  Bill

       Settlement of questions pertaining to the expropriated 
     property of the deposed royal family of Greece.


                               article 1

       1. Law 2086/1992 ``Ratification of the contract entered by 
     and between the Greek State and former King Constantine, 
     drawn up by Deed no 10573/1992 of Notary public of Athens, 
     Styliani Hatzjiara-Leli'' (A172) is abolished from the date 
     it came into force.
       2. Deed no. 10573/3.6.92 of Notary public of Athens, 
     Styliani Hatjiara-Leli is invalidated from the date of its 
     signing.
       3. Any legal issues arising from law 2086/1992 and Deed no. 
     10573/3.6.1992 of Notary public of Athens Styliani Hatjiara-
     Leli are hereby waived from the time of their occurrence.


                               article 2

       1. The Greek State becomes the owner, user and possessor of 
     the movable and immovable property of the deposed King 
     Constantine Glugsburg, and of the members of his family, as 
     described in LD 225/1973 ``Re expropriation of movable and 
     immovable property of former King and of members of the royal 
     family'', (A278), which remained in force under articles 1 
     and 2 of the Constituent Act 1/1.8.1974 (A213), and the 
     outcome of the Referendum of 8 December 1974 which was in 
     favor of Uncrowned Republic, incorporated in the provisions 
     of article 1 of the prevailing Constitution of the country, 
     and in the tables attached to aforesaid decree, regarding the 
     expropriated movable items and sketches of expropriated real 
     estates.
       This property also includes items which were directly or 
     indirectly referred to in Law 2086/1992 and the contract 
     ratified by said law.
       2. All the assignments of property and deeds or acts of 
     concession of movable or immovable items from the Greek State 
     to the Kings of Greece and members of their royal family, 
     pertaining to the property of preceding paragraph are by 
     right revoked.
       3. Reference of said law is made in the books of transfers 
     and mortgages either by the appropriate authorities or on the 
     request of the Minister of Finance or the Chairman of the 
     Committee which is formed in accordance with the provisions 
     of article 3 of following article.


                               article 3

       1. A seven-member Committee is formed, composed of:
       a. One member of the Legal Council of the State, as 
     Chairman.
       b. One assessor of the Auditors Council as Vice Chairman.
       c. One representative of the Ministers of Presidency of the 
     Government, Interior, Finance, Agriculture and Culture.
       2. The composition of aforesaid Committee is made by 
     decision of the Minister of Finance. By decisions of the same 
     Minister replacements, substitutions or 
     supplementation of members of the 
     committee are made.
       3. The aforesaid Committee acts as representative and for 
     the account of the Greek state on matters and competencies 
     entrusted to it by this law.
       4. The objective of the committee is: a. The inventory of 
     items referred to in paragraph 1 of article 2 of this law, 
     and the claiming of the items which are not controlled, 
     supervised or safeguarded by the State. b. To proceed with 
     any necessary action pertaining to the administration and 
     management of said items. c. To deliver the aforesaid items 
     to the public services, legal entities or enterprises 
     referred to in paragraph 1 and 4 of article 4 of this law, 
     and d. To deal with any function or activity that may be 
     assigned to it by decision of the Minister of Finance that 
     is relevant to the items in question.
       5. Matters pertaining to the operation of the aforesaid 
     Committee as well as any other detail which is regarded 
     necessary for the application of the provisions of this 
     article are defined by decisions of the Minister of Finance.


                               article 4

       1. The Committee formed according to preceding article, 
     will deliver the ownership or use or simply the management 
     and administration of the items referred to in paragraph 1 of 
     article 2 of this law, to the public services, legal entities 
     of public law, legal entities of private law of public 
     sector, public enterprises, organizations of local 
     administration of any degree, enterprises directly or 
     indirectly controlled by the State, irrespective of their 
     legal form, determined by Presidential Decree which is 
     promulgated by proposal of the Ministers of Finance, Culture 
     and of the Minister in charge occasionally. The same 
     Presidential Decree will determine any other detail which may 
     deem essential for the application of this provision.
       2. The real estate MON REPOS which is in Kerkyra becomes 
     the ownership of the Municipality of Kerkyra. The villa in 
     the estate shall be used as a museum or as a space where 
     cultural events can be held--primarily displays, concerts, 
     lectures--or other such causes, which are in harmony with the 
     character and nature of the estate as an archaeological and 
     historical monument, as specified in the decision of the 
     Minister of Culture.
       A Presidential Decree which is issued by proposal of the 
     Ministers of Finance, Interior and Culture, adjudicated by 
     the Municipal Council of the Municipality of Corfu, will 
     define matters pertaining to the maintenance, management and 
     operation of the estate, the villa and any other 
     installation, and appurtenances of the estate, with special 
     care given to the archaeological research and the development 
     of the area as archaeological and cultural monument, and any 
     other detail which is deemed essential for the application of 
     this provision.
       3. The estates of Dekelia (Tatol) of Attika and Polydendri 
     Aghia of Larissa, are now governed and administered by the 
     Ministry of Agriculture which will conduct these 
     jurisdictions in accordance with the prevailing provisions.
       A joint decision of the Ministers of Agriculture and 
     Culture will determine the historical monuments which exist 
     in these estates. The Ministry of Culture will be in charge 
     of their maintenance, management and operation.
       A Presidential Decree to be issued on the proposal of the 
     Minister of Agriculture will determine the specific purposes 
     which are served by the buildings in the estate, structures 
     of any kind and particular spaces, except the aforesaid 
     historical monuments and other areas, the parties or party 
     who will undertake the management, administration and use of 
     these structures and any other detail which is deemed 
     essential for the application of this provision.
       4. By Presidential Decrees to be issued on the proposal of 
     the Ministerial Council, parts of these estates referred to 
     in paragraph 1 of article 2 of this law may be transferred to 
     foundations for the erection, within the framework of 
     their activities, medical units or medical research 
     centers, provided this is in harmony with the forestal 
     appearance of the estates, and the need to preserve their 
     cultural features.
       Presidential Decrees to be issued on the proposal of the 
     Ministers of Finance, Agriculture, Health and Welfare and 
     Social Insurances and Culture, will ratify contracts entered 
     by and between the Greek State and the aforesaid foundations, 
     for the transfer of parts of aforesaid estates. Amendments of 
     founding acts or by-laws of the aforesaid organizations or 
     foundations are also ratified by the aforementioned 
     presidential decrees.


                               Article 5

       1. Inheritance taxes, real estate taxes and extraordinary 
     contributions which have been assessed in any manner, plus 
     any other increments, penalties, stamp taxes, expenses for 
     administrative execution, and amounts assessed in favor of 
     third parties, that concern the estates or movable items 
     referred to in paragraph 1 of article 2 of this law are 
     written off.
       Income taxes, with all relative additional payments and 
     fines, are also written off so long as the course of income 
     was the cultivation, lease or other such use of the estates.
       The acts of Public Economic Services (tax services) or 
     taxes of fiscal nature are revoked ipse jure.
       Any court hearing pending before the regular administrative 
     courts or the Council of the State having as subject matter 
     the aforesaid taxes with additional payments or penalties and 
     other surcharges are abolished--cancelled.
       Any amount paid by the parties involved--obligors--for the 
     aforesaid reasons--taxes--with additional payments and 
     penalties or other surcharges may be sought for.
       The Greek State may oppose to any off setting of any 
     overdue claim that it may have against these parties for any 
     reason whatsoever.
       An overdue claim of the State, which precludes the seeking 
     of the aforesaid amounts, is the demand for the proper return 
     of the movable items of paragraph 1 article 2 of this law 
     that were removed from the deposed king or members of the 
     family. In the same intact condition that were before they 
     were removed.
       2. Leases that were concluded with any lessee concerning 
     real estates referred to in paragraph 1 of article 2 of this 
     law will continue to exist between the lessee and the Greek 
     State.
       The Greek State may rescind at no cost these leases, if 
     such a thing is warranted for the protection or projection of 
     the historical and monumental, archaeological, forestal or 
     otherwise character of the estate under lease.
       3. Real or personal contracts excepting leases referred to 
     in previous paragraph, concerning estates or movable items of 
     paragraph 1 of article 2 of this law are invalidated from the 
     date of their conclusion. The relative entries in the books 
     of transfers and mortgages are automatically deleted, or on 
     the request of the Minister of Finance and or the Chairman of 
     the Committee as per article 3 of this law.


                               article 6

       1. The items which are referred in article 2 of this law, 
     that escaped in any way the supervision and safekeeping of 
     the State, especially those that present historical interest 
     or archaeological value, or works of arts, will be sought 
     after in accordance with standing regulations.
       2. The State may institute proceedings against any third 
     party, who has contributed by fraud or negligence in the 
     smuggling of the aforesaid movable items.
       3. The Courts, the Investigating and Prosecuting 
     Authorities of Athens are the competent authorities to pass 
     judgement on applications for injunctions, or civil actions, 
     and to investigate the penal responsibilities concerning 
     aforesaid property.
       4. Legal means brought before any court shall be rejected 
     and not admitted, if the litigant party utilizes for purposes 
     of his identity old titles of nobility or the name of his 
     political rank that he held, even with the indication former, 
     ex or such other insignia.
       5. Constantine Glugsburg and members of his family, as same 
     is defined by the relevant legislation is considered as never 
     having acquired the greek citizenship. In any case the Klng 
     and his family have ipso jure deprived themselves of the 
     Greek citizenship by the results of the Referendum of 8 
     December 1974 which was in favor of the Uncrowned Republic, 
     as this was incorporated in the provisions of article I of 
     the prevailing Constitution of the Country.
       Passports, travel documents and similar instruments that 
     were given to them are considered null and void since the 
     reason of their acquisition was the status of Greek citizen.


                               article 7

       1. Any provision of law of regulating act which is contrary 
     to the provisions of this law is abolished.
       2. This law comes into force and effect as of its 
     publication in the Government Gazette.
       Athens, March 1994.

  Mr. PELL. Madam President, I yield the floor and suggest the absence 
of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. If there is no objection, time will be charged 
equally.
  The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
order for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________