It's everyone's fault but Akis'

From the plenary hall of Parliament, Mr. Akis Tsohatzopoulos gave his own answers to the submarine scandal. In his speech, the former Minister of National Defense denied all accusations concerning the purchase of German submarines, while he heavily counter-argued against members of the PASOK and New Democracy parliamentary teams, who wanted to turn the House into a “Colosseum” and himself into a “convenient culprit”, as he said.

“Some friends of mine advised me not to attend and to send a memo. They said “why should you go and legitimize a process that has a predetermined outcome?" I told them that I don’t run from battles. That I will not apologize. That I will attend, for I always ask for light to be shed on everything. Because against lies, I use the truth. I am in the right against an ordered selective targeting”, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos stated, beginning his speech.

“I have History on my side, against the historically ignorant attempt by some to 'annihilate and erase' me both morally and politically. My conscience, my history and my respect for Parliament, through which I have served the Greek people for three decades, will not allow me to have another stance. Throughout my entire political journey, I was always present and never absent from all the crucial battles. It is also my duty to defend progressive politics and the work of the PASOK governments in which I have served. It is my duty to defend the validity and reliability of the Armed Forces and the Navy against any attacks involving mud slinging and lies. It is also my duty to defend my personal path and the things I have offered. So, just as I myself did not hide, no one can hide behind me”, he went on.

“PASOK’s Parliamentary Group was guided by certain individuals to act in a politically and even morally unacceptable manner by submitting the proposal. Their purpose is to build a “Colosseum”, in order to kill some and save others and to mislead the public. Instead of giving a battle to uncover the complete truth about a real scandal, they led the Group to a dead-end. Do they understand where this will inevitably lead? This is also indicative of a deep political crisis in PASOK during this time”, he said.

“They were wrong, because they thought that they would be able to construct a convenient culprit, to fool the people once more, ostensibly in response to actual popular demand for a cleansing in public life”, he said. “I feel anger”, he continued. “But I feel regret even more because apart from the opposition parties, I see some peoples’ desperate attempt to hurt me and my party”.

“Many say that I will make disclosures and ‘burn’ people. I will not disclose anything, because I simply have nothing to disclose. I cannot in any honesty, though, conceal facts and the truth. The truth is what will dissolve this plot and destroy the plotters. Some said, even a political leader did, that I am blackmailing PASOK. To this, I reply: PASOK cannot be coerced by anyone. Let me, however, say the same thing for myself. I do not trade my history, I do not haggle my contribution to my country and PASOK, and certainly, I cannot be held to ransom”, he added.