Round 2 on the submarine issue for Akis’ director

The preliminary investigation into the submarine scandal will continue today in the shadow of the cabinet meeting, which will include the discussion of the mid-term plan.

Former Defense ministry arms director Giannis Sbokos (during Tsohatzopoulos’ tenure) is expected to continue his testimony at 6pm today.  Committee chairman Markos Bolaris contacted minister Evangelos Venizelos, in order to authorize the disclosure of confidential documents.

As Sbokos stated, his documents will prove that:

1. operational requirements resulted from a decision of the Navy General Staff
2. all decisions were approved and signed by KYSEA, including the option
3. it is false that the contract and the award to shipyards is illegal
4. there was no manipulation by the Defense Ministry to exclude the Swedish submarine as stated in the conclusion SDOE
5. the claim that the French sub existed at that point is false
6. the German one was better
7. the French one was not cheaper
8. a subfolder comparing the contract signed by Tsohatzopoulos with the the recent one signed by Evangelos Venizelos
9. it is false that the contract for compensation is full of holes (a.n. adding with meaning that "their application is another matter")
10. the Turks did not buy their submarines at a better price
11. the technical characteristics of Greek and Turkish submarines are not the same
12. the anaerobic support of submarines is important

It should be noted that in his first deposition, Sbokos "snitched" the ministers who succeeded Tsohatzopoulos – with specific accusations against Evangelos Meimarakis – as they did not activate the clauses in the contract to safeguard the interests of the Greek State against the manufacturers. He said analytically: "I heard a former minister saying that he could not do anything because his hands were tied by the contract. This is a lie. The contract gave him all possible means of response, but he did nothing".