/pub/history/military/a-weu/documents File: 1404gree.del Assembly of Western European Union Document 1404 30th November 1993 THIRTY-NINTH ORDINARY SESSION (Second part) Views expressed by the Greek Delegation of Observers on documents on the agenda of the second part of the thirty-ninth ordinary session Information document published at the request of the Greek Delegation of Observers by decision of the President of the Assembly A/P 15333 -------------- HELLENIC DELEGATION TO THE WEU Dear Mr President, Attached herewith please find the memorandum with the comments of the Hellenic Delegation concerning the documents 1387 and 1395. We wish this memorandum to be distributed to the members of the Assembly. The Head of the Hellenic Delegation V. Papandreou -------------- PARLIAMENT OF THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC GREEK DELEGATION TO THE W.E.U. Dear Colleague, We feel that we have to draw your attention to the following points which, we believe, are of the utmost importance to our country as well as the W.E.U. As you know, the Greek delegation, pending the forthcoming full accession, participate in this Assembly as active observers only. We have therefore not been able to contribute to the formulation of the reports (Witgens, Johnston), more specifically to the parts referring to Greece. To our view the need to clarify certain points and to underline certain inaccuracies and/or unfounded arguments is absolutely necessary. Greece is not only a member of EU, NATO and W.E.U., but also a Balkan country directly concerned in safeguarding peace and stability in the area. This has always been our firm and consistent policy. By this paper an effort is undertaken to assist our colleagues in order to reach a more objective and a global understanding of Greece's position. We also trust that a more constructive approach of the W.E.U. to the problems of the Balkan area can this way be easier achieved. More specifically we wish to draw your attention to the following points: A. Johnston report. --------------- Paragraph 33 It is incorrect to say that Greece has used its veto to block EC recognition of FYROM. Greece has explained in detail the reasons why FYROM's use of the name "Republic of Macedonia" as the name of an independent state would destabilize the region, create friction and perpetuate conflicts in a volatile part of the Balkans. Accordingly, the EC adopted unanimously four resolutions upholding Greece's arguments. The Badinter Commission examined the issue of the recognition of FYROM from a strictly legal point of view, not being qualified to address the issue from its political angle. We stress that its recommendations not only of FYROM but also on Croatia were not heeded by the EC Council of Foreign Ministers. Paragraphs 34 - 35 It is certainly a totally incorrect presentation of Greece's position. Contrary to the allegations contained in the paragraphs stated, it is not an issue of historical accuracy neither an emotional one, but of strictly political consideration as it is a fact that all actions of FYROM (Constitution - see preamble art.3,49 etc-, change of borders, hostile propaganda, maps, adaptation of flag and symbols etc) clearly indicate an expansionist policy against neighbouring countries and, mainly, Greece. FYROM's behaviour, if allowed to continue, will definitely lead to destabilisation of the area. Paragraphs 37 - 38 Apart from sporadic and unfounded press allegations, Greece has never been accused by any country, international organisation or mission, of violating or even conniving at violations of the UN sanctions against Serbia and Montenegro. On the contrary, the EC/CSCE Sanctions Coordinator, Ambassador Napolitano, has repeatedly aknowledged Greece's commitment to strict implementation at the embargo and prompt cooperation with all parties concerned on this issue. The unfounded and libel-like articles in the press totally disappeared after the implementation by the Greek authorities in close cooperation with the FYROM Sanctions Assistance Mission (SAM-FYROM) of a preverification system for all Greek oil and oil-products exports to the FYROM as from July 16, 1993. The above mentioned measure, in addition to the detailed data conveyed to the President of the W.E.U. by Anbassador Macris, is one more indisputable proof of Greece's strict implementation of the UN sanctions and her close and full cooperation with the competent international organs, i.e. the Sanctions Coordinator and the Sanctions Assistance Missions. Paragraphs 39-40-41 Regarding the comments of the report on the last Greek elections: the decision of the Greek people, freely expressed by democratic elections, has to be respected. Paragraph 42 Greece never "pulled out of the UN sponsored negotiations" as completely inaccurately Johnston's report pretends, obviously misinterprating the letter of the Greek Foreign Minister to the Secretary General to the UN. It is a misunderstanding not shared by Mr. Boutros Ghali. Paragraphs 43 - 44 - 45 "European interests" are those of the "12" and Greece is part of them. Greece is the only EC country of the Balkans it has a long tradition of association with the other Balkan peoples and has an insider's view of developments, people's idiocincrasies etc. Moreover, it is the only EC country directly - and even vitally affected by developments in the area. Paragraph 48 It goes without saying that neither morally nor from a legal point of view anyone could question the adhesion of Greece in the W.E.U. for which there is an accordance of the governments concerned. In view of the above, we strongly suggest that par.5 of the recommendation should be deleted. B.Witgens report -------------- Most of the points referred to in the Johnston report above can be applied mutatis-mutandis to the present report. Paragraphs 4-5 We wish to note that there has been no decision on the 12 of May by the Twelve, there have been only some deliberations at an informal meeting. on the contrary, we wish to remind the decision taken at the Summit Conference in Lisbon in June 1992: "The European Council reiterates the position taken by the Community and its member states in Gimaraes on the request of the FYROM to be recognized as an independent state. It expresses its readiness to recognise that Republic within its existing borders according to the declaration on December 16, 1991 under a name which does not include the term Macedonia. It further more considers the borders of this Republic as inviolable and guaranteed in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter and the Charter of Paris". Paragraph 78-79 It is not acceptable to label a policy as "alarming" while, as the text itself goes, is totally defensive and, strictly speaking, a policy of detente aiming solely at the territorial integrity of the country. As far as the protection of Cyprus is concerned, it is an obligation emanating from international treaties. Regarding the hints for the defense of our border areas, that is to say of our territorial integrity, we simply state that to contest the right of defense of any country is contradictory to the W.E.U. raison d' etre. ------- For information, please contact: Yves ROBINS, Press Counsellor _/ _/ _/_/_/_/ _/ _/ | ASSEMBLY OF WESTERN EUROPEAN UNION _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ | 43, avenue du President Wilson _/ _/ _/ _/_/_/ _/ _/ | F-75775 Paris cedex 16 France _/_/_/_/ _/ _/ _/ | Tel 331-47235432; Fax 331-47204543 _/ _/ _/_/_/_/ _/_/_/ | E-mail: 100315.240@Compuserve.com