“...Greece cannot ask for the occupation loan and reparations, because with secret protocols and secret agreements signed by its government in 1959, it has waived all claims against Germany.” This shocking statement was made by the Chancellor of Germany, Mr. H. Kohl, on May 26, 1991, in Crete, where he was an official guest for the 50th anniversary of the battle of the Cretan people against Nazism.

The Greek government at that time remained silent regarding this provocation from the German official. K. Karamanlis, President of the Hellenic Republic and the actual recipient of the “revelation,” since he was the Prime Minister in 1959, issued a terse announcement stating: “There are no secret agreements and secret protocols with Germany.” Therefore, if there are no secret agreements and secret protocols, and if the officials of all post-war governments declare that the issue of war reparations and the occupation “loan” is open and that the official documents and agreements are valid, then why do they not claim the enormous amount that, with a minimal interest rate, at today’s prices is over 22 trillion drachmas?

This question, as well as Kohl’s statement, must be answered, and practically so. Silence in such cases is not... golden!