View source for Panhellenic Liberation Movement

{{more citations needed|date=January 2021}}
{{Infobox political party
| name = Panhellenic Liberation Movement
| native_name = Πανελλήνιο Aπελευθερωτικό Κίνημα
| logo = 
| colorcode = Red
| country = Greece
| leader = [[Andreas Papandreou]]
| secretary_general = 
| founder = 
| foundation = 28 February 1968
| ideology = {{nowrap|[[Social democracy]]<br>[[Democratic socialism]]<br>[[Republicanism]]<br>[[Anti-fascism]]<br>[[Anti-imperialism]]<br>[[Left-wing nationalism]]<br>[[Anti-Americanism]]<br>[[Revolutionary socialism]]<br>[[Socialist feminism]]}}
| split = [[Centre Union]]
| position = [[Left-wing]]
| successor = [[Panhellenic Socialist Movement]]
| international = [[Socialist International]]
| colours = 
| slogan = "National Independence, Popular Sovereignty, Social Liberation, Democratic Process."
| president = 
| youth_wing = 
| headquarters = [[Stockholm]]
| website = 
| dissolution = 3 September 1974
| flag = ΠΑΚ-σημαία-01.svg
}}

The '''Panhellenic Liberation Movement''' ({{langx|el|Πανελλήνιο Απελευθερωτικό Κίνημα}}), also known by its [[acronym]] '''PAK''' (ΠΑΚ), was one of the many anti-dictatorial movement organisations that campaigned against the [[Greek military junta of 1967&ndash;1974|1967–1974 military regime of Greece]]. It was established in 1968 in [[Sweden]] by the exiled [[Andreas Papandreou]].

==History==
PAK toured the world rallying opposition to the military regime and aiming to create awareness about the political situation in [[Greece]]. Its campaign in Sweden was particularly successful. On February 28, 1968, Papandreou gave a famous speech at the Club of Greek Immigrants (Σύλλογος Ελλήνων Μεταναστών). Later on, a manifesto was published, entitled “A text-book and the Internal Political Net.” The leader of the PAK in Greece was [[Giannis Alevras]].

Its campaign in Sweden was particularly successful. PAK was also highly critical of the alleged dependence of Greece on foreign powers, namely the [[United States|USA]]. Its stated aim was the realization of “radical changes” with the aim of the “socialist transformation of Greece”.
[[File:Aankomst Andreas Papandreou op CS te Amsterdam, Bestanddeelnr 921-2793.jpg|thumb|Andreas Papandreou in an anti-dictatorial rally with PAK, Netherlands, 1968]]

PAK issued the monthly newsletter "PAK News", the purpose of which was informing the readers about its political actions, giving updates about the trial of the PAK members and reproducing speeches and articles by Andreas Papandreou. It was issued in both Greek and English.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=http://repository.costas-simitis.gr/sf-repository/handle/11649/9484|title = ΠΑΚ Ειδήσεις|journal = Πακ, Τόμ.1: Αρ. 3|date = 26 February 2014}}</ref>

In May 1971, 8 young men who were alleged to be members of PAK were arrested for making and planting bombs in Athens.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/101754028 |title = 24 Jan 1972 - WORLD NEWS - Trove| work=Canberra Times | date=24 January 1972 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/102204912 |title = 23 Mar 1972 - GREEK COURT MARTIAL Nine jailed, 4 acquitted - Trove| work=Canberra Times | date=23 March 1972 }}</ref>

On February 24, 1972 Andreas Papandreou spoke at the "Symposium on Imperialism" about the future PAK is fighting for, he stated <blockquote>"I am committed to the Panhellenic Liberation Movement until freedom comes to Greece. When it does we will build a socialist society in which human rights are respected and citizens have the right to participate in key decisions."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archives.stanforddaily.com/1972/02/25?page=8&section=MODSMD_ARTICLE26#article|title = The Stanford Daily Archives}}</ref></blockquote>On April 23, 1972 the 5th anniversary of the [[Greek junta]], Papandreou and other members of PAK participated in a large rally/protest in [[New York City]] protesting the regime, among the speakers at the rally was economist and political activist [[Daniel Ellsberg]], [[Melina Merkouri]], Eleni Kazantzaki and Giorgos Vournas. Statements of solidarity by [[Carlo Levi]], senator [[George McGovern]] and [[Vassos Lyssarides]] were read. [[Barbara Dane]] performed songs by [[Mikis Theodorakis]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://repository.costas-simitis.gr/sf-repository/handle/11649/3|title = Simitis Foundation Repository: Δικτατορία (1967-1974)}}</ref><ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/nNQrrTKSYSA Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20170509010757/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNQrrTKSYSA Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite AV media| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNQrrTKSYSA| title = Firing Line with William F. Buckley Jr.: The Greek Dilemma | website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.protothema.gr/city-stories/article/854679/agapite-k-prothupourge/|title = "Αγαπητέ κ. πρωθυπουργέ"|date = 13 January 2019}}</ref>

Furthermore, PAK’ s stated aim was to become the centre of democratic resistance in Greece. It not only wished for the withdrawal of the Colonel dictatorship, but it also supported a “free, progressive and nationally free” Greece. It claimed that “it would not accept any compromise in any phase of its struggle and that it would fight for a total democratic victory.”

After the [[metapolitefsi|fall of the junta]], many PAK members became prominent members in Papandreou's [[Panhellenic Socialist Movement]] (PASOK) party.
<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tanea.gr/2001/10/10/greece/i-agnwsti-istoria-toy-pak/|title = Η άγνωστη ιστορία του ΠΑΚ|date = 10 October 2001}}</ref>

==References==
{{more footnotes needed|date=January 2017}}
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.agp.gr/english/agp/pak.stm Objectives and Organizational Scheme of the Panhellenic Liberation Movement]
* [http://www.mpa.gr/specials/greeks_sweden/8.html The Greeks of Sweden and Andreas Papandreou], containing valuable information about PAK's history (in Greek)

{{Andreas Papandreou}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Panhellenic Liberation Movement}}
[[Category:Defunct political parties in Greece]]
[[Category:Resistance to the Greek junta]]
[[Category:Political organizations established in 1968]]
[[Category:Andreas Papandreou]]
[[Category:PASOK]]