Golden dawn vows to put a Greek flag on disputed Kardak islets

ATHENS - Hürriyet

Golden Dawn's members have organized a protest event for the Kardak (Imia) islets in Athens on Feb. 2. AA photo

Greece's far-right Golden Dawn party has threatened to plant a Greek flag on islets that brought the country to the brink of armed conflict with Turkey 14 years ago.

Ilias Panayotaros, a prominent Golden Dawn deputy, urged Greek politicians to immediately act regarding the Kardak islets (Imia in Greek), in the 17th year since the incident. "Either you go and plant a Greek flag on Imia, or we'll do it instead. We will see if the Greek coast guard will prevent Greek citizens who want to go to the island," said Panayotaros.

Meanwhile Golden Dawn leader Nikolas Michaliolakos said the day Turkish commandos put a Turkish flag on the islets, on Jan. 30, 1997, was a shame for all Greek people. Golden Dawn's members have also organized a protest event for the Kardak islets on Feb. 2.