[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 149 (Thursday, October 30, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2149]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         IN SUPPORT OF OXI DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 30, 1997

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, today I join people of Greek 
descent in Astoria, NY, the country, and the world in saluting the 
courageous acts of the Greeks against Mussolini and Hitler. October 28, 
1997, marks the 57th anniversary of a very historic day in Greek 
history.
  On October 28, 1940, the Italian Minister in Athens gave an ultimatum 
to the Prime Minister of Greece, demanding the unconditional surrender 
of Greece. His answer was ``Oxi,'' which means ``no'' in Greek.
  Military success for the Italians would have sealed off the Balkans 
from the south and helped Hitler's plan to invade Russia. In fact, the 
Italian army that was fully equipped, well supplied, and backed by 
superior air and naval power. They were expected to overrun Greece 
within a short time.
  Fortunately, the Greek Army proved to be well trained and resourceful 
despite their lack of military equipment. In less than a week after the 
Italians first attacked, it was clear that their forces had suffered a 
serious setback in spite of having control of the air and fielding 
armored vehicles.
  On November 14, the Greek Army launched a counteroffensive and 
quickly drove Italian forces far back into Albania. On December 6, the 
Greeks captured Porto Edda and continued their advance along the 
seacoast toward Valona. By February 1, 1941, the Italians had launched 
strong counterattacks, but the determination of the Greek Army coupled 
with the severity of the winter weather, nullified the Italians' 
efforts.
  The Italians launched another offensive on March 12, 1941, but after 
6 days of fighting, the Italians made only small gains and it became 
clear that German intervention was necessary if the Italians were going 
to win.
  On March 26, Hitler shouted ``I will make a clean sweep of the 
Balkans.'' It took him 5 weeks, until the end of April, to subdue 
Greece. It turned out to be an important 5 weeks, until the end of 
April, to subdue the Greeks. These 5 weeks delayed Hitler's invasion of 
Russia and contributed to the Germans failure in Russia.
  The victory of the Greek Army against the Italians astonished the 
world. The heroic stance by the Greeks against insurmountable odds, was 
the first glimmer of hope for the Allies, and today we can take great 
pride in those who risked their lives to defend their country.

                          ____________________