Editorial: An apology

It was the day after the capture of the two Greek army officers by Turkish forces, when the Greek government spokesman said that their release was just a matter of days.

The days became months. Then the Turkish president revealed, indirectly but clearly, that their capture was not a chance event, but a premeditated plan, aiming to exchange the two with eight Turkish officers seeking asylum in Greece.

In fact, the Turkish president said nothing that we had not already suspected, due to the fact that a commonplace border incident was being transformed into a case of a border violation and alleged espionage.

The government should have been the first to suspect this, even before the incident, when it should have alerted military units to take measures to avert such accidents.

We see the results today.

It was not the two Greek army officers that fell into the trap set up by Ankara, which was desperately seeking a negotiating card, or rather a tool of blackmail.

The Greek government fell into the trap, due to the unacceptable complacency that it demonstrated. It exhibited an inconceivable inertia, despite the huge emphasis the Turkish president had placed on the extradition of the eight Turkish officers, and the enormous pressure he was bringing to bear.

Time is going by. The government is obliged, first of all, to offer an apology.