Athens
University (Professors)
Mr.
Driberģ
asked
the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the necessity of
securing and maintaining the broad and representative character of the present
Provisional Government in Greece, in accordance with the express views and
undertakings of His Majesty's Government, he will make a statement on the
recent dismissal of prominent members of E.A.M.[2] from
academic posts in Athens.
I
understand that there have been no dismissals. Four professors of the
University of Athens will be examined by a committee of their fellow
professors, who will decide whether to place them en disponibilite for actual
connection with the recent insurrection. In that case, they will receive their
salaries but will remain outside university life until the Government which
results from the forthcoming elections, makes a final decision on their case.
This procedure is in strict accordance with Article 7 of the Varkiza Agreement
concerning, the purge of the Civil Service.
Is
it not the case that two of these professors—Svolos and Angelopoulos—are men of
high integrity, who could not possibly have been associated with any of the
worse features of the recent disturbances, and will my right hon. Friend
continue to press for the observance of the spirit, as well as the letter, of
the truce?
I
have looked into this matter, and I think that the spirit and the letter have been
perfectly observed.
Is
the right hon. Gentleman aware that' we are concerned not only that these
gentlemen shall receive their pay but that they shall also be able to preach
their democratic principles in the universities?
I
am bound to say that they did not practise democratic principles when they had
the chance.
[1]
Βλ. http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1945/mar/14/athens-university-professors#S5CV0409P0_19450314_HOC_18.
[2]
Πρόκειται
για την ερώτηση του βουλευτή του Εργατικού Κόμματος Tom Driberģ, σχετικά με την απόλυση του Α. Σβώλου, του Α.
Αγγελόπουλου, του Π. Κόκκαλη, του Γ. Γεωργαλά και του Ν. Κιτσίκη, λόγω της συμμετοχής
τους στο ΕΑΜ. Βλ. Γιάννης Γιανουλόπουλος, Ο μεταπολεμικός κόσμος. Ελληνική
και ευρωπαϊκή ιστορία (1945-1953), Παπαζήση, Αθήνα 1992, σ. 229.

