Makis Andronopoulos: Are the Greek military at odds with the political system?

The expulsion-resignation of National Security Adviser retired Admiral Alexandrou Diakopoulos, did so because he stated – “so as not to be fooling ourselves” – that Oruc Reis has been conducting surveys. The resignation had two consequences: First, it shook the people’s confidence in the government’s rhetoric on national issues. Second, it highlighted the different language spoken by the military from that spoken by the political system.

This is natural in a constitutional democracy, although in the case of Diakopoulos it seems that the cause is different. According to information, the former National Security Adviser said publicly what was being discussed behind closed doors at the highest levels of power. And he said it not with the intention of criticism, but rather to say indirectly “yes Oruc Reis is doing research, but we will not wage war to stop it”!

We do not like to assume intentions, but sources who are able to know these tell us and even refer to other statements by Diakopoulos of this nature. It is clear, however, that what bothered the PM’s office at Maximos Mansionwas not what we all imagine, that is, that the Turks are doing research and not just cruising, but the phrase “so as not to be fooling ourselves”.

The former National Security Adviser may not have the classic notions of a military man, but he has not learned to behave like a politician, that is, to keep his mouth shut. So he thought that at Maximos Mansion they would appreciate that he chose to act as a “scout”! It may not have been his intention, but the way he spoke created a problem and prime ministers mainly do not want their associates to cause them problems.

Military and political system

Regardless of the issue concerning Diakopoulos, however, the question is whether or not there is a deeper, unacknowledged rivalry between politicians and the military. Scattered information, but also the surrounding atmosphere lead us to the conclusion that such a climate exists. It is well known that the military considers that the political system pursues a submissive policy towards Turkish expansion and when crisis and humiliation arise, as in Imia, it blames the military, without, however, allowing them to do their job.

The military is carrying a wound from the time when Greek submarines could sink the Turkish invasion fleet in Cyprus and force Turkey to fold. Since then they have had other opportunities to inflict heavy damage on Turkey, but heeding political orders (of the governments) did not do what they thought they could do.

If we add the long-standing scandals with the hapless defense expenditure, the ten-year stagnancy of the armed forces during the period of the Memoranda and the noticeable upset of the balance of power between Greece and Turkey, the military have every reason to be wary of the political system. This is not a reaction involving coup tendencies, as in other times. It is more about bitterness.

The phobic syndrome of politicians

It is rather obvious to the public that the ramming type episodes became known from leaks made by the military. The government has a firm doctrine, due to phobic syndrome, to downgrade or conceal such incidents, even when, as in the case of the incident of the frigate “Lemnos” with the Turkish “Kemal Reis”, the Greek side was the winner.

The attempt to ram the frigate “Lemnos” and the management of the incident by the government is indicative of the difference between the political system and the military. We do not want to believe that some in the government went so far as to say that the captain of the “Lemnos” should be punished, because he was involved in an incident, that is, because he reacted!

The military usually “speaks” through retired officers. The government and the political parties will do well to realize the importance for Greece of the high level of military capability both as a diplomatic weapon, but also as a defense, in case national sovereignty is threatened. That is why it is a vital need to meet the defense needs immediately (yesterday). They are very late. They are dangerously slow …