Treaty of Varkiza
Encyclopedia
The Treaty of Varkiza was signed in Varkiza
(near Athens
) on February 12, 1945 between the Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs
(supported by the British
) and the Secretary of the Communist Party of Greece
(KKE) for EAM-ELAS. One of the aspects of the accord (Article IX) called for a plebiscite to be held within the year in order to resolve any problems with the Greek Constitution. This plebiscite would help establish elections and thus create a constituent assembly that would draft a new organic law
. In another aspect of the treaty, both signatories agreed that the Allies
send overseers in order to verify the validity of the elections. The accord also promised that members of EAM-ELAS would be permitted to participate in political activities if they surrendered their weapons. Moreover, all civil and political liberties would be guaranteed along with the undertaking by the Greek government towards establishing a nonpolitical national army.
Ultimately, the promises enshrined in the Treaty of Varkiza were not upheld. The main problem is that the treaty was giving amnesty only for political reasons, while many actions by communists during the Dekemvriana was viewed as common crimes. A large number of the weapons was hidden also by the communists, while the events that followed entailed widespread right-wing persecution of leftist elements (White Terror). Even though the Treaty of Varkiza was not enforced, it was nevertheless a diplomatic attempt towards officially ending the civil war. Due to the treaty, the Communist Party of Greece
remained legal during the Greek Civil War
until 27 December 1947.
+ Richter, Heinz "British Intervention in Greece, From Varkiza to Civil War February 1945 to August 1946" (London 1986)
Varkiza
Varkiza , also Alianthos is a partly urbanised area forming part of the municipality of Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni in southern Attica, located east of the Megalo Daktylo...
(near Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
) on February 12, 1945 between the Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs
Minister for Foreign Affairs (Greece)
The Minister for Foreign Affairs is the senior minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Greece, established on 3 April 1833. The current Minister for Foreign Affairs, since 11 November 2011 is the former European Commissioner Stavros Dimas...
(supported by the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
) and the Secretary of the Communist Party of Greece
Communist Party of Greece
Founded in 1918, the Communist Party of Greece , better known by its acronym, ΚΚΕ , is the oldest party on the Greek political scene.- Foundation :...
(KKE) for EAM-ELAS. One of the aspects of the accord (Article IX) called for a plebiscite to be held within the year in order to resolve any problems with the Greek Constitution. This plebiscite would help establish elections and thus create a constituent assembly that would draft a new organic law
Organic law
An organic or fundamental law is a law or system of laws which forms the foundation of a government, corporation or other organization's body of rules. A constitution is a particular form of organic law for a sovereign state....
. In another aspect of the treaty, both signatories agreed that the Allies
Allies
In everyday English usage, allies are people, groups, or nations that have joined together in an association for mutual benefit or to achieve some common purpose, whether or not explicit agreement has been worked out between them...
send overseers in order to verify the validity of the elections. The accord also promised that members of EAM-ELAS would be permitted to participate in political activities if they surrendered their weapons. Moreover, all civil and political liberties would be guaranteed along with the undertaking by the Greek government towards establishing a nonpolitical national army.
Ultimately, the promises enshrined in the Treaty of Varkiza were not upheld. The main problem is that the treaty was giving amnesty only for political reasons, while many actions by communists during the Dekemvriana was viewed as common crimes. A large number of the weapons was hidden also by the communists, while the events that followed entailed widespread right-wing persecution of leftist elements (White Terror). Even though the Treaty of Varkiza was not enforced, it was nevertheless a diplomatic attempt towards officially ending the civil war. Due to the treaty, the Communist Party of Greece
Communist Party of Greece
Founded in 1918, the Communist Party of Greece , better known by its acronym, ΚΚΕ , is the oldest party on the Greek political scene.- Foundation :...
remained legal during the Greek Civil War
Greek Civil War
The Greek Civil War was fought from 1946 to 1949 between the Greek governmental army, backed by the United Kingdom and United States, and the Democratic Army of Greece , the military branch of the Greek Communist Party , backed by Bulgaria, Yugoslavia and Albania...
until 27 December 1947.
Sources
- Xydis, Stephen G. "Greece and the Yalta Declaration." American Slavic and East European Review. Vol. 20, No. 1, (February 1961), pp. 6–24.
- Stavrianos, L. S. and Panagopoulos, E. P. "Present-Day Greece." The Journal of Modern History. Vol. 20, No. 2, (June 1948), pp. 149–158.
- C.M. Woodhouse "The Apple of Discord: A Survey of Recent Greek Politics in their International Setting (London 1948)308-310 http://books.google.com/books?id=0veZdS654aQC&pg=PA188&lpg=PA188&dq=varkiza+agreement+state+dept&source=bl&ots=_1fTiXoPC_&sig=Ngegt-tafusdHnYK1sJ9iVkD-RI&hl=el&ei=6niaS86XF9Cy4Qab3K1S&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CBEQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=&f=false
+ Richter, Heinz "British Intervention in Greece, From Varkiza to Civil War February 1945 to August 1946" (London 1986)