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Theodorakis and Jack Lang
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MIKIS THEODORAKIS
Epifanous 1
117 42, Athens-Greece
Tel. 0030-210-9214863
Fax 0030-210-9236325
e-mail: theodorakis@hol.gr
To : Mr. Jack Lang
Athens, 27.3.2005
Dear Jack,
You had kindly asked me to be a signatory, along with other personalities of European culture, to a joint motion in support of the European Constitution’s approval. I wholeheartedly agreed and have done so.
However, as you may know, my country is currently under a rather unprecedented attack by the European Commission, aiming at amending article 14 of the Greek Constitution, an unparalleled practice on behalf of the European Union, vis-à-vis its partners.
This conflict has now acquired a national character, with unpredictable consequences regarding the attitude of a growing percentage of the Greek people, who feel deeply offended by this attack.
I feel the same, although, as you know, I have been a staunch supporter of Greece’s European course from the beginning. Consequently, I find great difficulty in supporting a Constitution which does not mention explicitly that all the articles of national Constitutions that refer to supreme social values, as is in this case our article 14, are non negotiable and prevail over any relevant European law and practice.
[Article 14 of the Greek Constitution calls for the protection from the forces of corruption. It provides for the complete incompatibility between ownership of mass media enterprises and eligibility to undertake public contracts.]
As you know, corruption is a real plague of current public life and I have reached the point where I say that it alters the very substance of the democratic regime, for the consolidation of which the Greek people made so many sacrifices.
I therefore request with great regret the withdrawal of my signature.
Sincerely yours,
Mikis Theodorakis
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