Regional Development & Competitiveness Minister Mihalis Chryssohoidis, a former public order minister in two separate PASOK governments, on Wednesday directly responded to confidential reports reportedly sent by the US embassy in Athens and leaked to Wikileaks, with the documents appearing in a London paper (Guardian) the same day.
Speaking to an Athens radio, Chryssohoidis merely noted that "I have publicly described the unpleasant situation during that time thousands of times. The National Intelligence Service (EYP) was not doing its job as regards the country's security".
"Where exactly is the disclosure on the EYP issue," he asked rhetorically, pointing out that "when I took over, the situation in the (citizen protection) ministry was very unpleasant. I have talked about it in the press and in Parliament. EYP was not doing its job vis-à-vis the country's security. But since then things have changed a great deal."
"I have made thousands of statements, a prosecutor has been appointed to EYP, a public administration inspector has also been appointed, and recently submitted his report (…) Everything mentioned in this document has already been stated publicly and I am surprised that it is being presented as a disclosure," he said.
As regards the reference made in the US embassy document on alleged Greek-US cooperation to combat urban terrorism, the former head of the public order ministry stated that international cooperation on issues of terrorism and crime is routine and necessary to have results that will benefit the people.
(ANA-MPA)
