Life with the colonels
Sir: Referring to the first of the two articles of your Athens correspondent Mr Michael Llewellyn- Smith (17 November), allow me to stress the following:- Mr Llewellyn-Smith writes 'Estimates of the likely growth rate have fallen as the year proceeds; it now looks like being about 5 per cent. The index of industrial production showed only a 4 per cent increase for the first six montAs of this year over the corresponding period last year, compared with a 17 per cent increase for ..1966 over 1965; and it was the three months before the coup which produced even this disappointing increase.'
May I say that the figures presented by Mr Llewellyn-Smith are not entirely correct. The estimated growth rate is indeed around 5 per cent but the index of industrial production increased by. 7.6 per cent and not 4 per cent. One should agree that even 7.6 per cent is disappointing but
there are reasons for it. The slow-down in the growth rate of the building industry which already started during 1966, and the Middle East war have something to do with it.
Your correspondent further maintains that 'There is nothing in this which a strong party-political government could not have done.' The Centre Union with its 53 per cent majority was a 'strong party.' But it created the mess that called for the present government to intervene.
C. Roussen Director, Press and Information Office, Royal Greek Embassy, 49 Upper Brook Street, WI
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