Who Killed George Polk?

Vlanton's investigation of existing and new evidence leads to a new theory about Polk's murder. Polk was appalled by the corruption surrounding the American aid program and its ineffectiveness in rebuilding the Greek economy and infrastructure. This view was shared by many other reporters at the time. His investigation of corruption led him to the hands of the Salonica underworld who killed Polk because he knew too much. The author claims that his theory "provides the most compelling evidence on why, how, and who killed George Polk." The murder remains unsolved not because of a conspiracy, but because it was an "impromptu act by a handful of men on the margins of society." These criminal elements operated with the toleration of the police in exchange of other helpful information provided by the underworld. Once the crime was discovered, the security police tailored a solution to fit the political needs of Greek and American officials.

I agree with Vlanton's analysis of how the American media failed to scrutinize the handling of this case by Greek and American officials, how the American media became willing participants in the cover-up of the Polk murder, and how the media cooperated in the promotion of America's Cold War policy. I am not convinced, however, that this fifth theory (which, like the other theories, is based on largely circumstantial evidence) can be presented as the definitive proof of Polk's murder. Vlanton's theory provides a plausible but not a definitive answer to this murder. Thus, nearly fifty years later, "who murdered Polk" remains a mystery -- and we may never know the full truth about a significant moment in the history of the Cold War.

Reviewed by Van Coufoudakis

Indiana University-Purdue University, Fort Wayne

Copyright Dr. George Kourvetaris Summer 1999
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved