[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 148 (Wednesday, October 29, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H9724-H9727]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         IN SUPPORT OF OXI DAY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Blunt). Under the Speaker's announced 
policy of January 7, 1997, the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Pappas] 
is recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority leader.


                             General Leave

  Mr. PAPPAS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
and to include extraneous material on the subject of my special order.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New Jersey?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. PAPPAS. Mr. Speaker, today we celebrate Oxi Day which symbolizes 
the absolute refusal of the Greek people to succumb to Mussolini's 
Fascist Italy during World War II.
  In August 1940, Mussolini accused Greece of supporting Britain and 
demanded that she renounce the agreement of neutrality with the Allies. 
In that same month, the Greek Naval Cruiser Elli visited the island of 
Tinos during its highest religious holiday, paying a visit to the 
famous holy shrine there. In a sneak attack, the Italians torpedoed and 
sank the ship in the harbor. Mussolini also massed more than 150,000 
troops on the Albanian border, and the Greek government was only able 
to place about half that number of its own ready to oppose them. In 
that tense condition on October 28, 1940, at the undignified hour of 3 
a.m., the Italian Ambassador delivered an ultimatum from Mussolini to 
the Greek government set to expire at 6 a.m. that very same day. The 
Greek Prime Minister's response was oxi, which means ``no'' in Greek. 
The Italian army was well supplied, fully equipped and supported by 
state-of-the-art air and naval power. They, the Italians, were expected 
to overrun the Greeks within a short time. Yet before its expiration 
and without waiting for an official reply, Italian troops invaded 
Greece across the Albanian border.
  Mussolini had expected an easy victory. His troops had penetrated 
less than 20 miles into Greek territory against light resistance when 
the

[[Page H9725]]

Greeks counterattacked. In spite of the cold and snow in that 
mountainous region, by the end of 1940 and early 1941, the Greeks had 
fought their way into Albania and by March, about one-third of Albania 
was in Greek hands. Hitler did not wait for the outcome. In mid-
December 1940, he issued a directive launching Operation Mantra to mass 
German divisions in pro-Axis Romania and then move across the territory 
of another partner and into Greece if necessary.
  The Greek army now had to face the powerful German war machine which 
was relentless. By the end of April 1941, Greece fell, and the Greek 
government fled to the island of Crete.
  Crete became the next target for the Germans. While this large Greek 
island was difficult to assault, its strategic position in the 
Mediterranean made this action necessary. The two poorly equipped Greek 
divisions were reinforced by British troops. Germany attacked with an 
awesome force of 600 aircraft and 20,000 crack parachutists and glider 
borne troops. By the end of May, the Germans were victorious but had 
lost 7,000 of their men in their fierce fighting against a loss of 
about 3,000 British and Greek soldiers. Several thousand Cretan 
civilians were killed in the fighting and reprisals by the Germans on a 
determined and courageous population defending their homeland was what 
could follow.
  But the real loss to Germany was time. The Greek invasion had used up 
nearly 2 precious months during which time Hitler's Operation 
Barbarossa, the attack on Russia, was delayed. The troops ran into the 
dreadful Russian winter at the end of the year before they could win 
their hard-fought campaign, resulting in appalling losses and 
contributing to the ultimate defeat of Germany.
  Greece suffered a great famine in 1941 and 1942, under harsh 
conditions brought about by the combined German, Italian and Bulgarian 
occupation. It is estimated that more than 300,000 Greeks died of 
famine. Resistance by Greek partisans also cost thousands of civilian 
lives in hostile actions and reprisals.

                              {time}  2230

  The attack by Mussolini's Italy against Greece on October 28, 1940, 
was the result of the imperialist and expansionist tendencies of 
Mussolini's fascist regime. The motives were strategic as well as 
political. Mussolini's ambition was by invading the strategically-
located Greece and the Aegean Islands, especially Crete, to balance the 
German initiative. Until that move, the Italian initiative was almost 
nonexistent. Mussolini needed a victory desperately in order to share 
power with Hitler, who seemed to be the sole and uncontested leader of 
the Axis alliance.
  Although Greece could have remained neutral or simply opened the 
borders and allowed the Axis forces to march in, instead she chose to 
stand up and fight by defending the ideals of democracy, freedom and 
dignity.
  The Greek Army fought an enemy which was superior in numbers, arms 
and technology. The Greek Army was superior though in spirit, 
enthusiasm and determination. With the full support of the Greek 
people, the Greek Army performed one of the most unexpected miracles of 
modern military history by beating one of the best-equipped and trained 
armies of that time, Italy.
  The heroism of the Greek people, up against unbelievable odds, was 
the first glimmer of hope for freedom-loving people for the Allies. 
Americans of Greek descent, in fact, all Americans, can take pride in 
the sacrifice made by Greek people 57 years and one day ago. While they 
were defending their country, in reality they helped save Europe and 
the rest of the free world.
  What I have said is fact, not fable. I believe it is important to 
speak about this because Greece's actions show the world that Greece is 
an ally that can be counted on through thick and thin, is an ally that 
fights for principle, no matter what the odds.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, I find it ironic that we are discussing the 
importance of Oxi Day to the free world when we have two brutal leaders 
who reject democracy visiting our country. The Premier of China will 
get a 21-gun salute and be welcomed with open arms by some, despite the 
well-documented human rights violations, religious persecution, and 
economic sabotage of the Chinese Government. Moreover, the leader of 
the invaded area of Northern Cyprus will be in Washington in a 
desperate attempt to try to find legitimacy to an illegal government 
created by illegal occupation.
  I hope the lessons of Oxi Day and fighting for what is right and 
standing up to aggressive dictators will not be lost by the world 
community as these dictators visit our Nation's Capital.
  Mr. Speaker, I see that I am joined by my colleague, the gentleman 
from New Jersey [Mr. Pallone], and would like to yield to him.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I just 
want to thank my colleague from New Jersey [Mr. Pappas] for organizing 
this special order tonight. I was not here when the gentleman began, so 
I do not want to repeat what he has already said. But I did want to say 
that I am proud to join with the gentleman in paying tribute to this 
great moment in the history of the 20th century, which receives far too 
little recognition in many of our history texts about World War II.
  Throughout history, the Greek people have been champions of freedom 
and self-determination, and their heroic actions against the forces of 
Hitler and Mussolini were instrumental in defeating fascism in the 20th 
Century. I am sure the gentleman mentioned about how when Greece 
entered the war on the side of the Allies when the country was invaded 
by Mussolini's forces, that exactly 57 years ago today on the morning 
of October 28, 1940, the Italian Minister in Athens presented an 
ultimatum to Greek Minister Metaxas demanding unconditional surrender. 
The Prime Minister response to this unacceptable demand was as simple 
as it was eloquent, ``Oxi,'', or Greek for ``No.'' The Prime Minister 
and the King both went on the radio that morning to rally the Nation, 
and a general mobilization was declared.
  Mussolini's forces invaded Greece on that fateful day, but there was 
a very spirited resistance from the Greek people, and then the Greek 
Army actually launched a counteroffensive, driving the invaders back 
into Albania. Of course, Hitler's forces eventually came into the war 
and subdued Greece, but not without significant resistance. In May of 
1941, when the Nazis launched an airborne invasion on the Island of 
Crete on a scale unprecedented in history, the Germans again had to 
fight a very significant resistance, probably one of the greatest 
resistances in the whole history of World War II.
  I just wanted to say, if I could, to my colleague and to those who 
are listening this evening, that the heroism with which the Greek 
people fought essentially delayed Hitler's planned invasion of Russia 
by about three months, and essentially made it possible ultimately for 
the Allies to win the war, and made it more difficult for Germany to 
expand the areas that it sought to conquer.
  The Greek resistance movement also continued for four years during 
the war, and they suffered horrendously for their resistance. The 
Germans executed thousands of civilians and randomly decimated entire 
towns, villages and communities. I know that in my district, in Asbury 
Park, a few years ago I went to a commemoration, I do not remember the 
details, but a commemoration of one of the smaller towns in Greece that 
was just totally annihilated, every man, woman and child was killed.
  I think we have to resolve that to ensure that the Greeks who fought 
this resistance movement did not suffer in vain. It is important for us 
to bring it to the attention of our colleagues and to the American 
people that we never forget the role the people of Greece played in 
defeating fascism, and that is why I am very proud this evening to be 
joining with my colleague from New Jersey in this special order.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to join with the gentleman from New Jersey 
[Mr. Pappas] and my other colleagues this evening in paying tribute to 
a great moment in the history of the 20th century which receives far 
too little recognition in many of our history texts about World War II. 
Throughout history, the Greek people have been champions of freedom and 
self-determination. Their heroic actions against the forces of Hitler 
and Mussolini were instrumental in defeating fascism in the 20th 
century.
  On October 28, 1940, Greece entered the war on the side of the Allies 
when the country

[[Page H9726]]

was invaded by Mussolini's forces, as part of an attempt by the Axis 
powers to seal off the Balkans from the south in support of Hitler's 
invasion of Russia. Exactly 57 years ago today, on the morning of 
October 28, 1940, the Italian Minister in Athens presented an ultimatum 
to Greek Prime Minister Metaxas demanding unconditional surrender. The 
prime minister's response to this unacceptable demand was as simple as 
it was eloquent: ``Oxi,'' Greek for ``No.'' The Prime Minister and the 
King both went on the radio that morning to rally the nation, and a 
general mobilization was declared.
  Mussolini's forces invaded Greece on that fateful day. Despite their 
technological superiority, the Fascist invaders faced spirited 
resistance from the Greeks. On November 14, the Greek Army launched a 
counter-offensive, driving the invaders back into Albania. In February 
1941, the Italian Army launched further attacks, but tough resistance 
and a harsh winter nullified many of these efforts; a second Italian 
offensive in March of '41 similarly met with strong Greek opposition. 
Finally, the Nazi German war machine was mobilized in an effort to rout 
the Greek opposition, both on the mainland area of Greece and on the 
island of Crete--in an effort to fulfill Hitler's ominous promise to 
``make a clean sweep in the Balkans.''
  It took Hitler's forces some five weeks, until the end of April, to 
subdue Greece. In May of 1941 the Nazis launched an airborne invasion 
of Crete on a scale unprecedented in history. With lightning speed, the 
Germans dropped some 20,000 troops on the island by air; in addition, 
the Germans and Italians launched a land invasion, sending troops by 
sea from the occupied Greek mainland. The ensuing battle put up by the 
people of Crete and other Allied forces against the superior Nazi war 
machine was one of the most significant of World War II. And though the 
Germans won the battle and took the island, they did so at the highest 
possible cost--they would eventually lose the war. Karl Student, the 
Nazi General in charge of the invasion, called the battle ``the 
fiercest struggle any German formation had ever had to face . . .'' The 
German High Command would never again attempt an operation of that 
size.
  The heroism with which the Greek people fought delayed Hitler's 
planned invasion of Russia by three months. There were heavy losses on 
both sides. Strengthened by the knowledge that they were defending a 
concept--democracy--that had originated from their homeland, Greek 
civilians, including women, children and the elderly, joined the battle 
against the Fascists, suffering terrible losses, but also inflicting 
serious damage on their enemies. The Greek resistance movement for the 
remaining four years of the war zealously fought the occupying Nazi 
force. They suffered horrendously for their resistance; the Germans 
executed thousands of civilians and randomly decimated entire towns, 
villages and communities. Let us resolve, Mr. Speaker, to ensure that 
they did not suffer in vein.
  We here in Congress should do our best to ensure our citizens never 
forget the role the people of Greece played in defeating fascism. 
Indeed, we honor ourselves by honoring not only a Prime Minister, but 
an entire people who dared to say ``Oxi,'' ``No,'' in the face of a 
seemingly overwhelming enemy.
  Mr. PAPPAS. I thank the gentleman from New Jersey and appreciate his 
support for these important issues.
  Mr. Speaker, we in our country are very fortunate to live in a 
country that is free, and special orders such as this are certainly 
significant to what our country was founded upon. I also view this as 
an educational process for those that may be viewing this around the 
country, even around the world, that can learn a little bit about the 
significance of October 28, 1940.
  Mr. Speaker, 54 years before Oxi Day, October 28th in 1886, the 
Statue of Liberty was dedicated. I would just like to quote a saying, a 
phrase or a series of words that are associated with the Statue of 
Liberty which I think are appropriate to reiterate here as we 
commemorate Oxi Day. ``Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled 
masses, yearning to breathe free; the wretched refuse of your teaming 
shore; send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me. I lift up my 
lamp beside the golden door.''
  Mr. Speaker, we as citizens of this wonderful country owe a great 
deal, I believe, to the Greek people. Certainly freedom and democracy 
around the world owe so much to the Greek people who said ``Oxi,'' who 
said ``No,'' on October 28, 1940.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to join my friend and 
colleague from New Jersey, Congressman Mike Pappas, to commemorate 
``oxi'' day. The historical significance of this day and what it meant 
to the outcome of World War II cannot be overstated.
  By October 1940, World War II had begun, and the Nazi war machine was 
already in high gear. Along with Hitler's ally Mussolini, the German 
and Italian forces were threatening the whole of Europe. European 
nations were bowing to tyranny and destruction as the Germans and the 
Italians marched through Europe.
  Great Britain endured Germany's aerial bombardment, forcing Hitler to 
seek another avenue to subdue the British. Hitler intended to eliminate 
British operations in the Mediterranean in order to weaken their 
ability to deter German advances.
  To achieve this, Hitler needed the axis powers to strike at British 
forces from Greece. By conquering Greece, Hitler would gain access to 
an important connecting link with Italian bases in the Dodecanese (Do-
de-ca-nese) Islands. This would give the Italians a strangle hold on 
British positions in Egypt, where British forces were already facing 
attack from the Italian Army in North Africa. The British considered 
the defense of Egypt vital to allied positions in the oil rich Middle 
East.
  On October 28, 1940, the Italian minister in Athens presented an 
ultimatum to Greek Prime Minister Metaxas (Me-ta-ksas), demanding the 
unconditional surrender of Greece. Prime Minister Metaxas (Me-ta-ksas) 
responded with the now historic word ``oxi,'' which means no in Greek. 
His statement embodied the true spirit of the Greek people. His words 
of defiance echoed the same devotion and love of country that Greek 
patriots exhibited during their war of independence against the Ottoman 
Empire when they shouted the defiant words ``Liberty or Death.''
  Prime Minister Metaxas' (Me-ta-ksas) actions marked the beginning of 
one of the world's most heroic efforts against tyranny and oppression. 
After its ultimatum was rejected, it took Italy less than 3 hours to 
invade Greece.
  It is important to note that the population of Greece at the time was 
only 7 million. On the other hand, Italy's population was 43 million. 
In addition, the Italian Army had the advantage in military strength 
and technology
  However, despite their lack of equipment, the Greek army proved to be 
well-trained and resourceful. Within a week of the invasion, it was 
clear that Italian forces had suffered a serious set-back, despite 
having control of the air and fielding superior armored vehicles.
  On November 14, the Greek army launched a counter-offensive and 
quickly drove the Italian forces back into Albania. By December 9, the 
Greeks had captured the town of Pogradec (Po-gra-des) in eastern 
Albania. However, a lack of supplies and difficult terrain stalled the 
Greek march through Albania.
  By February 1941, the Italians had launched strong counter-attacks. 
However, the determination of the Greek army, coupled with the severity 
of the winter weather, blocked Italy's advances.
  In an effort to bring the war to a close before Hitler would 
intervene, the Italians launched another assault on March 12, 1941. 
After 6 days of fighting, the Italians had made only insignificant 
gains, and it became clear that German intervention was necessary.
  On April 6, 1941, Hitler ordered the German invasion of Greece. It 
took the Germans 5 weeks to finally end the conflict.
  This delay proved to be critical to the outcome of the war. Italy's 
inability to capture Greece enabled the British to win major victories 
against Mussolini's forces in North Africa. This solidified British 
positions in the region as well as Cyprus. In addition, it contributed 
to the failure of the German campaign to conquer Russia.
  Perhaps most importantly, the Germans never gained the advantage 
against the British. Although Germany had conquered much of Europe, its 
inability to decimate British and Russian forces early in the war would 
eventually prove to be fatal.
  Mr. Speaker, ``OXI'' day is a day that marks defiance against 
tyranny. As an American of Greek descent and as a lover of freedom, I 
am proud to honor the memory of those brave patriots who fought for 
freedom on this important day.
  Mr. MANTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate one of the most 
pivotal events during world War II, Oxi Day. In addition, I thank my 
colleague, Congressman Michael Pappas, for arranging this Special Order 
to remember this important day.
  On October 28, 1940, the Prime Minister of Greece refused to agree 
with the ultimatum presented to him by the Italian Minister in Athens 
for the surrender of Greece by stating ``OXI'', meaning ``NO'' in 
Greek. Thereby, resisting and hindering Hitler's plan to invade Russia.

[[Page H9727]]

  By rejecting this ultimatum, Greece proved its courage, strength, an 
dedication to preserving democracy. Winston Churchill said it best: 
``Don't say that Greeks fight like heroes, say that heroes fight like 
Greeks.'' The soldiers and statesmen of this great land not only helped 
Greece and Europe free themselves from the shackles of the swastika, 
but their actions ensured that the future of democracy and freedom 
would continue to be strong and grow throughout the world.
  Greece is one of only three nations in the world that has allied with 
the United States in every major international conflict this century. 
The actions that the Greeks took against the Axis powers, and communist 
rebels during and after World War II, cost many lives. However, Greece 
prevailed and emerged as the strong and victorious democracy it is 
today.
  Mr. Speaker, Greeks from around the world are proud of the actions 
taken by their home country during World War II. I commend those who 
struggled, fought, sacrificed and lost their lives in the fight to 
restore and preserve the liberty and democracy Greeks and Greek-
Americans enjoy today.
  As a member of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, I will 
continue to work to ensure that the people of Greece continue to enjoy 
the freedoms they have today and will continue to work with my 
colleagues to bring justice to the people of Cyprus. The human rights 
abuses taking place on this island go against everything the soldiers 
and leaders of Greece fought so hard to save and preserve on October 
28th, 1940.
  Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the valiant 
Greek resistance against the Axis powers during World War II. Greece 
was the last stronghold in Continental Europe to fall to the Axis.
  Today marks the anniversary of the Greek refusal of Mussolini's 
ultimatum to surrender to Italian forces. On October 28, 1940, the 
Greek government issued a resounding ``OXI,'' (NO) to the Italian 
Fascists. A month after the invasion began, the last Italian soldier 
was driven from Greek soil and the Greek army was fighting Italian 
Fascist forces in Albania.
  The rout of Mussolini's forces in Albania required Hitler to divert 
valuable troops and arms to invade Greece in April 1941. Nazi forces 
faced fierce resistance in Crete and Macedonia. The Greek campaign 
delayed the planned invasion of the Soviet Union by several critical 
weeks.
  The Germans were never able to occupy more than two-thirds of Greece. 
The Greek national resistance continued fighting in the rugged mountain 
terrain. Greek civilians and clergy sought to protect Greek Jews from 
the occupying forces at great personal risk.
  Hitler diverted 50 battalions from the Eastern front and North Africa 
to Greece. In 1943, the Nazis were distracted into believing that the 
main Allied assault would occur in the Balkans, thereby enabling the 
Sicilian invasion. Greek Army units in exile also played an important 
role in the Allied campaign in North Africa.
  Mr. Speaker, the resounding ``No'' Greece sent Mussolini 57 years ago 
marked the beginning of the valiant Greek resistance to invasion and 
occupation during World War II. Greece proved itself a faithful ally 
throughout the war effort with heroism and self sacrifice and at great 
cost in human lives and suffering.

                          ____________________