Panhellenic Liberation Movement

Panhellenic Liberation Movement Πανελλήνιο Aπελευθερωτικό Κίνημα
Leader	Andreas Papandreou
Founded	28 February 1968
Dissolved	3 September 1974
Split from	Centre Union
Succeeded by	Panhellenic Socialist Movement
Headquarters	Stockholm
Ideology	Social democracy Democratic socialism Republicanism Anti-fascism Anti-imperialism Left-wing nationalism Revolutionary socialism Feminism
Political position	Left-wing
International affiliation	Socialist International
Slogan	"National Independence, Popular Sovereignty, Social Liberation, Democratic Process."
Party flag
Politics of Greece Political parties Elections

The Panhellenic Liberation Movement (Greek: Πανελλήνιο Απελευθερωτικό Κίνημα), also known by its acronym PAK (ΠΑΚ), was one of the many anti-dictatorial movement organisations that campaigned against the 1967–1974 military regime of Greece. It was established in 1968 in Sweden by the exiled Andreas Papandreou.

History

PAK toured the world rallying opposition to the military regime and aiming to create awareness about the political situation in Greece. Its campaign in Sweden was particularly successful. On February 28, 1968, Papandreou gave a famous speech at the Club of Greek Immigrants (Σύλλογος Ελλήνων Μεταναστών). Later on, a manifesto was published, entitled “A text-book and the Internal Political Net.” The leader of the PAK in Greece was Giannis Alevras.

Its campaign in Sweden was particularly successful. PAK was also highly critical of the alleged dependence of Greece on foreign powers, namely the USA. Its stated aim was the realization of “radical changes” with the aim of the “socialist transformation of Greece”.

Andreas Papandreou in an anti-dictatorial rally with PAK, Netherlands, 1968

PAK issued the monthly newsletter "PAK News", the purpose of which was informing the readers about its political actions, giving updates about the trial of the PAK members and reproducing speeches and articles by Andreas Papandreou. It was issued in both Greek and English.

In May 1971, 8 young men who were alleged to be members of PAK were arrested for making and planting bombs in Athens.

On February 24, 1972 Andreas Papandreou spoke at the "Symposium on Imperialism" about the future PAK is fighting for, he stated

"I am committed to the Panhellenic Liberation Movement until freedom comes to Greece. When it does we will build a socialist society in which human rights are respected and citizens have the right to participate in key decisions"

.

On April 23, 1972 the 5th anniversary of the Greek junta, Papandreou and other members of PAK participated in a large rally/protest in New York City protesting the regime, among the speakers at the rally was economist and political activist Daniel Ellsberg, Melina Merkouri, Eleni Kazantzaki and Giorgos Vournas. Statements of solidarity by Carlo Levi, senator George McGovern and Vassos Lyssarides were read. Barbara Dane performed songs by Mikis Theodorakis.

Furthermore, PAK’ s stated aim was to become the centre of democratic resistance in Greece. It not only wished for the withdrawal of the Colonel dictatorship, but it also supported a “free, progressive and nationally free” Greece. It claimed that “it would not accept any compromise in any phase of its struggle and that it would fight for a total democratic victory.”

After the fall of the junta, many PAK members became prominent members in Papandreou's Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) party.

External links

• Objectives and Organizational Scheme of the Panhellenic Liberation Movement
• The Greeks of Sweden and Andreas Papandreou, containing valuable information about PAK's history (in Greek)