Antenna: News in English (PM), 97-11-09

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From: Antenna Radio <http://www.antenna.gr> - email: antenna@compulink.gr

Last Updated: Sunday, 09-Nov-97 12:19:25

CONTENTS

[01] Simitis-Gilmaz Review

[02] Holbrooke Review

[03] Summit Review

[04] Patriarch Review

[01] Simitis-Gilmaz Review

Turkey's Mesout Yilmaz stuck to its call for an all- encompassing bi- lateral dialogue to settle all issues at once. Greece's Kostas Simitis repeated Greece's view that a step-by-step approach to better relations is the only way forward.

There were smiles for the press after the Simitis- Yilmaz meeting. But the two leaders came away having agreed to nothing, other than that their discussion was useful.

At a press conference after the meeting, Simitis told reporters, "Mr. Yilmaz said he believes that problems can be overcome by a dialogue on all issues. We reiterated that dialogues on all issues have taken place in the past without positive results. That's why we remain firmly behind a step-by- step approach to Greek-Turkish differences, as we have for the past year".

Dialogue on all issues, is that Ankara wants to make an issue of Greek sovereign rights, getting its numerous claims to Greece's Aegean isles onto a negotiating agenda.

Simitis told Yilmaz that dialogue's have been tried in the past, and failed. The first step toward better relations, he added, is Ankara heeding the European Union's three-point request:

Turkey should: put an end to its periodic threats of violence against Greece; show respect for international law and Greece's sovereign rights; and take its claim to the isle of Imia to the international court if it insists on making it. Last year, Turkey nearly sparked a war when it staged a military landing on the Greek rocks of Imia.

Despite the difference over how to tackle their

problems, in Crete, both leaders stated that relations between their countries must improve.

They said they want to renew their commitment to the non-aggression pact they made in July.

And for the first time, that pact was connected to the establishment of specific mechanisms designed to de-escalate tensions.

Simitis said he and Yilmaz have agreed to implement a 1988 agreement, which calls for a 2- month moratorium on military flights over the Aegean in the summer; and Nato monitoring of the two nations' military flights.

Simitis said they've also agreed to look at various other confidence building measures; and to look for ways of continuing the work of experts from both countries to list bilateral differences.

The Greek premier said, "There are difficulties, but it's good to repeat that commitments have been made, that there IS a framework for cooperation, and that these commitments must be implemented. Our common goal is peace, stability, and coopeation".

Simitis says he will accept Yilmaz's invitation to visit Ankara, as long as there are tangible signs of improvement in Greek-Turkish relations.

In the Greek parliament Thursday, Simitis defended his Turkish policy, against critics who say he's being duped by a Turkey with designs on Greece's rights.

Reassuring everyone that he had stuck to Greece's positions, Simitis called his meeting with Yilmaz necessary and beneficial.

Cooperation between Athens and Ankara would be good for everyone, he added.

After the meeting Monday, Simitis said there are those who want Greece to burn its bridges with Turkey, but that approach isolates Greece internationally.

In parliament, New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis disagreed. From the time of Turkey's invasion of Imia in 1996 down to the finalising of a non- aggression pact with Turkey last July, said Karamanlis, the Simitis government has been sending the wrong message to Turkey: that Greece is willing to retreat. Karamanlis says the continuing Turkish violations of Greek air space are an indication of Ankara's real intentions.

Two other leading members of New Democracy differed in the tough assessment of Karamanlis.

Former prime minister Constantinos Mitsotakis said the Simitis-Yilmaz tet-a- tet improved the climate in Greek-Turkish relations.

And former party leader Miltiades Evert told Antenna that the Simitis- Yilmaz meeting was a good thing, but that it shouldn't have taken place at the Southeastern European Nations summit, because it overshadowed the summit, where Greece should have been focussing attention on its leadership role in the Balkans.

Yilmaz said he was enthused by his meeting with Simitis. The talk was good, he added, and was based on the 1988 agreement and the recent non- aggression pact.

He also said that reducing tensions is necessary, and expressed the hope that at their next meeting, the two men would have something new to say to each other.

On Tuesday, Yilmaz was upbeat:

"We have created a very solid base for the future cooperation in our region. I would say I had a very frank and fruitful meeting with His Excellency the Prime minister. I think we have paved the way for better relations between our countries. We're going to think on the existing mechanisms, how to accelerate the mechanisms, and how to strengthen these mechanisms. I've noticed that my Greek counterpart is approaching this issue in good faith and that is absolutely satisfactory".

Nothing firm came out of the meeting in Crete, but both sides expressed a commitment to continue the search for a path to better relations.

[02] Holbrooke Review

Appearing to dismiss the view that Greece is an obstacle to Turkey joining the EU, Holbrooke said its the EU's lack of a central foreign policy... that's to blame for much of the lack of coordination between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots when it comes to Cypriot admission into the EU.

"I think the EU would've been better...for the last year..."

"Are you saying Mr Denktash?"

"No, the EU's internal processes are so complicated....EU counterpart".

"Did you propose it and they turned you down?"

an den Broek says that that's part of.... versus the presidency".

[03] Summit Review

But the conference as a whole was seen as a success.

The US state department has congratulated the Greek government for taking the initiative in organising it. Spokesman James Rubin said he hopes it will promote security and economic welfare in the area.

At the end of the summit, the leaders of Greece, Albania, Bulgaria, Fyrom, Romania, Turkey, and Yugoslavia issued a joint statement pledging to promote cooperation and friendship between their peoples.

"We shall work together to create the conditions

for prosperity within a framework of peace, security, good-neighborliness and stability", says the declaration issued at the end of the summit.

Greek prime minister Kostas Simitis said the declaration constitues a set of principles that will form the framework of inter-Balkan relations.

The statement also includes a commitment to respect borders, minority rights, and to settle disputes peacefully.

[04] Patriarch Review

Welcoming ecumenical orthodox patriarch Vartholomeos to Atlanta and the Martin Luther King Centre, King's window Coretta King, called him an apostle of love and equality.

"This occasion today honours my husband as one of the great...great dcourage and commitment in meeting this challenge".

Vartholomeos said it was incumbent upon him to pay homage to King at his tomb:

"We visited the memorial of a man", said the patriarch, "who sacrificed his life at a young age to the ideals of freedom and justice, for human rights, and for equality. He was a martyr to freedom".

Noting that former orthodox archbishop of AMerica Iakovos had frequently communicated with civil rights leader King, the patriarch said he's certain that Iakovos's successor, Spyridon, will continue to honour King's memory, as will all greek-Americans, because King's ideals are common to all humanity.

"They are the lofty principles", said Vartholomeos, "Which the Orthodox Church has taught through the ages".

The orthodox faithful also welcomed the patriarch

to Atlanta. There were flowers and enthusiasm awaiting the spiritual leader of 300 million Christians at the Orthodox Annunciation Cathedral.

Later, the patriarch took part in an ecumenical prayer for peace at the Olympic park.

Vartholomeos told the young people on hand

"We humbly pray for a prize still greater humbly before the lord...human kin".

The patriarch blessed to doves - symbols of peace - that were then freed into the air.

Arriving in Chicago last Saturday, Vartholomeos marked six years since becoming patriarch. His first stop was the Orhtodox Cathedral of the Annunciation for a doxology.

Later, at an orthodox youth rally, Vartholomeos presented young people with saplings, a symbol of hope in a better future, a future represented by youth.

"Our beloved spiritual children, as we gaze into your faces, we behold a special glory...for you are orthodox Christians".

Leaving Chicago, Vartholomeos stopped in Des Moines before going on to Dallas, where he prayed at the spot where president John F Kennedy was shot 34 years ago.

At Southern Methodist University, he received an honorary doctorate, in recognition of his work for the global environment and defence of human rights internationally.

The patriarch was welcomd to SMU by young orthdox students.

"How many orthodox...all of you".

The patriarch may be a spiritual leader, but he told Antenna's Alexandra Spyridaki that the Church is also interested in science:

"Science and knowledge unites nations....it is a part of nation".

After leaving SMU, the patriarch visited a school for children with hearing impairments. His love for kids was apparent.

"How old are you?"

"Ten".

"Ten. And you?....Where are the other teeth?"

The children were not shy about responding to the patriarch's show of love.

(c) ANT1 Radio 1997

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