The name is absent

78

the newly revived patron∕client method of rewarding conservative supporters and of
promoting conservative interests was causing added civic unrest. Fearing the return of
the Communist Party, the government took aggressive measures against all Left and
Center political groups including the manipulation of ballots during elections to ensure
conservative victories, and even the assassination of a leftist member of parliament
Grigorios Lambrakis (Athenian 1972:42). Eventually, however, Left wing persistence
succeeded and the Center Union party led by George Papandreou formed government in
1964. Unfortunately, this marks the beginning of another turbulent time in Greek history.

Following the 1964 elections, tensions grew between Greece and Turkey over
Cyprus prompting the establishment of a UN Peace Keeping force (UNFICYP) on the
island. Diplomatic attempts to resolve the problem largely failed and the American
government became increasingly concerned that Greece would destabilize NATO thereby
harming US military and economic interests (Stefanidis 2000; Stefanidis 2007). This led
to a period of external interference, internal political struggle and tension between 1964
and 1967; however, it should be noted, the specifics of the events that occurred during
this time are still shrouded in controversy. Some analysts believe that the US began to
support the Center Union Party OfPapandreou in order to create stability; still, others
believe the Americans backed anticommunists, conservatives, and King Constantine
against Papandreou in order to restore the political climate that followed the civil war
(Couloumbis 1976; Couloumbis 1966; Nicolet 2001; Stefanidis 2007). What is certain,
however, is that during this period the Greek military was growing unhappy with the
government and sought to increase its influence in political circles. To this end, military
leaders began to create internal secret associations that supported the monarchy, were

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