Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis on Wednesday met with members of an association representing resistance fighters imprisoned and exiled during the junta era, noting that "in your person we honor all the Greeks that had the courage during those difficult years to react, struggle and fight for democracy".

The meeting came a day before the 32nd anniversary of the culmination of a students' uprising at the Athens Polytechnic, which was brutally crushed by police on that day, Nov. 17, 1973.

The prime minister also said that those who resisted the seven-year military dictatorship (1967-1973) provide an example on how citizens "realize their debt to their homeland, to the state, society and their fellow man."

Additionally, Karamanlis emphasized that 32 years after the Polytechnic uprising democracy is absolutely secure in Greece despite whatever imperfections and weaknesses.

He also called for national unity in dealing with major foreign policy issues, "and for a better quality of democracy, as well as for the demand to finally deal with the major economy and social problems"

On his part, the president of the group, Fotis Provatas, said members of the association requested from the prime minister that the dour history of the seven-year dictatorship be taught in public schools, while adding that the premier appeared positive over such a prospect.

Provatas also said that the group requested the restoration of buildings on the barren and uninhabited Cyclades isle of Yiaros (Gyaros), used in past decades as a place of detention center for political prisoners.

Source: Athens News Agency

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