Constantine: "I Will Return"

In one of the few interviews he has given since his 1967 exile, King Constantine of Greece last week spoke with TIME Correspondent Wilton Wynn on the terrace of the comfortable royal villa off Rome's Via di Porta Latina. Excerpts from their conversation:

Wynn: Do you still regard yourself as the legal chief of state of Greece?

Constantine: Yes. I am head of state until the Greek people freely decide otherwise. The first government formed after the coup of April 21, 1967 [headed by Constantine Kollias, a civilian], swore its oath to me. So did Papadopoulos when he assumed the premiership in December 1967 and when he later became regent. But now he has proclaimed himself President with no legal basis whatsoever.

Wynn: You have legal power to appoint a new Premier. Would you appoint a government in exile?

Constantine: Legally, there are many things I can consider. But what I will do remains to be seen, after my consultations over the next few weeks with leaders of my country of all shades of political opinion.

Wynn: The junta, at least for the moment, seems to have the machinery of power in its hands. What weapons do you envisage that opponents of the regime can use: civil disobedience, armed rebellion, international pressure?

Constantine: I do not want to advocate civil disobedience or violence. The present regime tends to provoke that sort of thing, and I do not wish to advocate it. I would say that international pressure and persuasion are the most important weapons.

Wynn: What do you suggest the Western democracies should do regarding the junta?

Constantine: For one thing, they can withhold diplomatic recognition of the regime in Athens. The diplomats [in Athens] were accredited to me and to no one else. How can they now assume that those credentials are transferred to an illegal regime? Until the people of Greece can freely express themselves, this is essential. Otherwise, the free world will be condoning a coup d'etat with no legal basis.

Wynn: Is it your opinion that the U.S. has made a mistake thus far in cooperating with the junta?

Constantine: It is clear that the U.S. Government has given Greece aid in different forms. This aid is welcome.

It has been announced a number of times that parallel to the aid given, there have been forms of persuasion to induce the regime to restore democracy.

If this parallel effort has ever been applied, I am not aware of it.

Wynn: Would you call all Greek opposition groups in exile together into one movement under your leadership?

Constantine: As King of the Hellenes, I must remain above parties.

Therefore it is up to them to get together. If they do, I will support them wholeheartedly.

Wynn: Papadopoulos, who once called himself a "dedicated monarchist," has now proclaimed a republic.

Why did he take such action at this time?

Constantine: Whether he ever was a monarchist is for him to say. However, I think he made a definite switch when he saw I was absolutely opposed to dictatorship and his form of government. He had to act to divert public attention from the difficulties the regime faced in the country--the student uprisings, the rebellion of naval officers, economic problems.

Wynn: What is the basis of Papadopoulos' power in your opinion?

Constantine: His power is based on violence, pressure and fear. He uses the usual apparatus of dictatorship to remain in power. But I am certain his power will be totally eroded, though I cannot predict just how it will end.

Wynn: Your allowance from the government has been canceled. Do you face financial problems?

Constantine: Yes. I have always accepted the allowance as from the people of Greece. Press reports have said we are wealthy, but this is untrue. Most of my money is inside Greece. I have not yet decided how I will solve this problem, and I do not know yet even where I will live. But I have said I will return to Greece, and I will return.

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