Greece — U.S. military installations in Crete and the mainland to be upgraded and extended

Greece's involvement in the imperialist plans of U.S. and NATO increases as a result of the agreement between the U.S. and Greek governments which upgrades and extends the american military installations in the country. 

According to an exclusive report published in "Rizospastis" on Monday, within the framework of the "Greece-USA Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreeement (MDCA)", the governments of the United States and Greece have agreed to extend the U.S. Naval Base in Souda, Crete, as well as to proceed to the creation of new military installations. The agreement is due to take place in 2020. 

As "Rizospastis" writes, a few days ago the U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper presented to the U.S. Congress a list with 127 plans which include the extension, upgrade and construction of U.S. military installations in the country and abroad. Two of these plans refer to the notorious naval base of Souda which has been used by the U.S. and NATO forces in multiple imperialist interventions, including the Gulf War and the imperialist attacks in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Syria. 

Together, the two plans for the upgrade and extention of the Souda Naval Base bear a cost of approximately 48 million dollars, excluding the equipment. 

The ongoing "Strategic Dialogue" between Greece and the U.S. aims in adjusting the "Greece-USA Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement" to the current imperialist plans in Eastern Mediterranean and the Balkans. Within this framework, the U.S. are interested in the upgrade of existing military bases as well as construction of new military installations, including the bases in Larissa, Stefanovikio, Araxos (Air Bases) and the port of Alexandroupolis in northern Greece. 

Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias (left) meets with
U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo in Washington DC, July '19.

It must be noted that the U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is due to visit Athens in the beginning of October, in order to participate in the second round of the so-called "military cooperation" discussions between the two governments. 

These discussions - which pave the way for Greece's deeper involvement in the U.S-NATO-EU dangerous plans in the region - began during the previous social democratic SYRIZA government and continues by the current administration of the conservative New Democracy party. 

Within the context of the U.N. General Assembly in New York this week, Greek Premier Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias were expected to meet with U.S. government officials. 

On this occasion, the anti-imperialist  the Greek Committee against the "Greece-U.S. Defense Cooperation Agreement" has issued a broad call for participation in an anti-imperialist demonstration on October 2nd, at Eleftherias Park in Athens. Numerous other activities against the agreement will take place across the country by peace committees. 

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