Greek press on the Macedonian issue (news in English)

[Tsontos]

From Kathimerini:

FYROM veto seems likely

Tuesday April 1, 2008

Athens defiant in face of growing US pressure for Skopje’s NATO accession

Athens yesterday dug its heels in further on the Macedonia name dispute, saying it would veto Skopje's bid to join NATO at an alliance summit this week unless a compromise is reached on the Balkan country's name.

«We have stated our position repeatedly - I will say it again: No solution means no invitation,» Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis said yesterday in the face of growing pressure from Washington for a last-ditch settlement.

In a commentary published in today's International Herald Tribune, Bakoyannis says: «Greece has gone more than halfway on the issue, closer to two-thirds of the way... We cannot go any further.»

According to sources, Greek diplomats told Washington that the NATO accession of candidates Croatia and Albania should be approved at the summit but that the bid of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) should be shelved until the name issue is satisfactorily resolved. Washington reportedly rejected this scenario and made a counterproposal: that FYROM enter NATO under the «temporary» name accorded to it 17 years ago, which Athens finds totally unacceptable.

Meanwhile US President George W. Bush reiterated his support for FYROM's NATO bid, telling Germany's Die Welt that the name dispute «is an issue that can be resolved and definitely will be resolved.»

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, who will attend tomorrow's summit, is due to have talks with PASOK leader George Papandreou for a briefing on the main opposition party's stance. Earlier yesterday, Papandreou phoned US Ambassador Daniel Speckhardt to complain about the US position which «ignores Greece's stance and does not boost regional stability.»

Meanwhile in Skopje, parliament canceled a debate on the latest proposal by United Nations mediator Matthew Nimetz, who had been entrusted with resolving the dispute but has taken a back seat over the past few days.

http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w.../04/2008_94989


Another editorial from Kathimerini:

No deal, no NATO


Tuesday April 1, 2008

We can only welcome the fact that the Socialist opposition leader George Papandreou has asked for a meeting with Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis that will take place early today.

The meeting between the two leaders is sending the right message. As Karamanlis will be meeting with the other leaders of NATO member states in Bucharest, he will have the majority of Greece’s public behind him.

US diplomats are expected to put all sorts of diplomatic pressure on Athens to overcome Greek objections to FYROM’s NATO membership bid.

The Greek premier however has made it clear that no settlement on the name dispute means no NATO accession for Skopje.

Moreover, a settlement must mean a fully binding and workable agreement. Not just promises and abstract pledges. Karamanlis and the country stand nothing to lose by insisting on this position. Only a veto, it seems, can bring about a settlement.

http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w.../04/2008_94980

[Tsontos]

From ANA-MPA:

Athens reiterates 'name issue' points

04/02/2008

A foreign ministry spokesman on Tuesday referred to the very short period of time remaining until Wednesday's NATO summit in Bucharest when asked about the prospects for a solution to the FYROM 'name issue' still separating Athens and Skopje.

"Dramatically marginal, but not non-existent," was spokesman George Koumoutsakos' laconic answer to press questions over the issue that has dominated the foreign affairs agenda over recent weeks, in light of the Alliance summit and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's (FYROM) application to join NATO.

He nevertheless noted that time was only restricted as far as the summit was concerned.

"If we are referring to a negotiations process under the UN's auspices, then there is no deadline, and we are ready to continue negotiations until a mutually acceptable solution is found," he said, adding that a new UNSC resolution will be necessary if such an agreement is achieved.

Moreover, asked about the political climate in the two neighbouring countries (Greece and FYROM) vis-?-vis the nagging dispute over the latter's constitutional name, Koumoutsakos said a string of provocations in neighbouring FYROM "are not limited to just the insulting defacing of the Greek flag, but to Greek history and the Greek people's sacrifices to defeat the Axis powers.

"One could speak of sporadic incidents, but my feeling is that these incidents not only confirm, but are the product of a specific line of reasoning by (FYROM) government circles - I definitely exclude the neighbouring people - in the neighbouring country; they confirm and are the product of a nationalistic and irredentist reasoning and policy that is supported and exploited by the desire to monopolise the name (i.e. Macedonia) as indicative of an entire wider region".

In emphasising the last point, the Greek foreign ministry spokesman said Athens sternly opposes a name that will allow a single country in the region to monopolise an entire geographical area.

In touching on a related aspect that has generated widespread press speculation in the local press, namely, claims of US administration "pressure" on Athens to back down on the issue, Koumoutsakos merely noted that Greece was in complete agreement with Washington over NATO's expansion in the western Balkans, reminding that Greece has been a frontrunner in efforts to promote the Euro-Atlantic course of the area's countries.

"We also back the 'open door' policy, and in this sense, there is no difference of opinion with the United States. The issue here, and it's at this point that some differences of opinion may arise, is the view that only technical criteria comprise the basis for approving an invitation for (NATO) membership?

"When there is a clear-cut problem, as you've seen in recent days, due to provocations and the accompanying atmosphere that has been created; when there is a problem in relations between a member-state and a prospective member, the member-state should not -- and this is quite reasonable -- consent to an invitation for membership. This is the situation; these are our principled and crystal clear positions, and all of these suggestions regarding 'pressures' or other expressions, I would term them 'intense encouragement', attempt to color an open and sincere discussion with the United States, a discussion between long-time allies," Koumoutsakos said.

http://www.ana-mpa.gr/anaweb/user/sh...25&service=102


Again from ANA-MPA:

Inner Cabinet takes decisions ahead of NATO summit


04/02/2008


Prime minister Costas Karamanlis chaired a meeting of the Inner Cabinet on Tuesday for discussion of developments in the FYROM name issue and a crucial NATO summit that opens in Bucharest on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, foreign minister Dora Bakoyannis that the Inner Cabinet session was held in preparation of the NATO summit, adding that all the facts were analysed and the final decisions taken.

Replying to questions on the Greek positions and prospect of Greece vetoing a NATO invitation for membership to FYROM, Bakoyannis said that Greece's positions were well-known and on record, and had also been stated in parliament and to all the political party leaders.

She said that the Greek government "is commencing this difficult process, having the country's political forces, in their entirety, at its side, with the same goals and the same prerequisites".

Meanwhile, replying to press questions earlier, environment, town planning and public works minister George Souflias said that the effort for finding a viable and mutually acceptable solution to the FYROM name issue "cannot be one-sided, in other words only by Greece".

"Greece, I believe, has done everything possible for a mutually acceptable and viable solution to be found. But there are boundaries that cannot be exceeded," Souflias said, adding that "we have reached the 'red line', and from here on we cannot make any other efforts".

In a separate statement, ruling New Democracy (ND) former leader Miltiades Evert stressed that "at the tiime when efforts are being made for finding a compromise solution to the Skopje name issue, the neighboring people of Skopje are provoking in the most unethical way, offending ournational symbol and our country's prime minister with montaged pictures, disregarding Greece's sacrifices and struggles against nazism".

With this attitude, he warned, the people of FYROM "reveal that they are not mature (ready) to accede NATO and the European Union".

http://www.ana-mpa.gr/anaweb/user/sh...4317&service=6


From ANA-MPA:

Papandreou backs PM on FYROM issue

02/04/2008

"This is not the time for criticism...it is the time to strengthen Greece's voice in this critical negotiation," main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou said on Tuesday, after a meeting with prime minister Costas Karamanlis, held at the former's initiative, ahead of a crucial NATO summit that opens Wednesday in Bucharest, adding that "Greece is being wronged" and facing pressure "even from allies and partners" over the FYROM issue.

"Greece is in a crucial negotiation. There are pressures even from allies and partners, and I consider that Greece is being wronged," Papandreou told reporters after his meeting with the prime minister at the Maximos Mansion government headquarters.

"This is not the time for criticism. We have made criticism, and will continue to do so wherever and whenever necessary. It is the time to strengthen Greece's voice ahead of this critical negotiation, and that is why I came to meet with the prime minister," Papandreou said, adding that PASOK's position was "crystal clear", and a position that was shared by the entire Greek people: "We want a solution composite name with a geographical determinant, for all uses, without exception".

"We must say 'no' to all forms of a dual name, and of course 'no' to every effort at 'back-door' accession of the neighboring country to NATO without prior solution of the name problem," the main opposition leader stressed.

The PASOK leader said that he had volunteered to the prime minister to visit Skopje "even at the last minute" in order to "strengthen our country's negotiating position and contribute to a just solution of this problem".

Addressing himself to the people of FYROM, Papandreou warned that "actions of extreme symbolism, such as those that offend us all and our national symbols, are deplorable", adding his belief that "they do not express the entire people of the neighboring country, because we have a common future together, a common future for the Balkans, a common future of peace and stability in the region".

http://www.ana-mpa.gr/anaweb/user/sh...5720&service=8

[Tsontos]

From ERT:

Diplomatic Thriller

01 Apr 2008 09:03:00 (Last updated: 01 Apr 2008 22:40:41)

By Vivian Papastefanou

A day prior to the crucial NATO Summit in Bucharest and with the prospect of Greece vetoing a NATO invitation for membership to FYROM, the Inner Cabinet held Tuesday morning a meeting to consider the country’s stance on the issue. Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis stressed that the Inner Cabinet session took place in preparation of the NATO Summit, adding that all the facts were analysed and the final decisions taken. Asked on Greek positions and intentions, Bakoyannis underlined that the Greek positions were well-known and that they had been unveiled in Parliament and to all the political party leaders. The Greek Government, added the Foreign Minister, is entering this difficult process, having the nation’s political forces on its side, with the same goals and the same prerequisites. Earlier, the Prime Minister met at 09:30 with George Papandreou at the initiative of the PASOK president. After the meeting, Papandreou stated, "Greece is facing crucial deliberations. Even partners and allies are exercising pressure on Greece. Greece is receiving unfair treatment, adding that it is not time for criticism but time to strengthen Greece’s voice in these crucial deliberations. The opposition leader told the Prime-minister that he was willing to fly to Skopje to further strengthen the country’s position as well as to indicate the common stand of the country. Papandreou also repeated that solution to the name issue is a compound name, including geographical term for all uses. In reference to Skopje’s provocations, he condemned "any acts of extreme symbolism which offend our country and our national symbols", he added, however, that these acts do not express the majority of the neighbouring country’s people. Meanwhile, the prime minister briefed Mr Papoulias on the phone on the latest developments. In view of the Bucharest Summit Meeting, Mr Karamanlis sent letters to the NATO member-state leaders, presenting Greece’s arguments on the FYROM name issue.

In his letter to US President George Bush Greek Ambassador to Washington Alexandros Mallias refers to Skopje’s provocative actions, which falsify the Greek flag with the posting of posters. In parallel, Ambassador Adamantios Vassilakis briefed the Foreign Ministry and EU and NATO accredited Ambassadors to Greece, as well as the Ambassadors of China and Russia on Greece’s positions on the name issue.

No Solution-No Invitation Says Athens

In an interview with MEGA television channel last night, Foreign Minister, Dora Bakoyianni underlined that exercising veto right is a "big and difficult decision, but necessary". As she said "NATO’s door is open and Greece supports Skopje’s Euro-Atlantic prospect but there must be a solution. A mutually acceptable name, including a geographical term for all uses". Mrs. Bakoyianni will meet with the President of the German Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee at 10:15 to discuss NATO Summit meeting with focus on its enlargement.

In response to a relevant question, Environment and Public Works Minister, George Souflias said that efforts for a viable and mutually acceptable solution can not be unilateral, in other words only stemming from Greece. Greece has done everything possible for a viable and mutually acceptable solution, however, it can not go beyond certain limits, we have reached red line and we can not make any further effort from this point on.

LAOS President, George Karatzaferis told NET 105.8 that he will not agree to any compromise solution because it will be casus belli while he expressed belief that the Skopje issue would not be resolved.
In the meantime, several Washington scenarios, aimed to admit the neighbouring country into the NATO alliance, have come to light. In a telephone contact with the American ambassador to Athens, PASOK President, George Papandreou expressed both his and in general the country’s strong resentment, stemming from Washington’s stand on Skopke name issue. "Decisions for a country’s admission to NATO are based on the grounds on whether they meet terms and credentials set by the alliance" said the State Department.

Constructive Meeting

Governmental spokesman Mr. Theodoros Roussopoulos branded the meeting the Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis had with the leader of the opposition party Mr. A. Papandreou a positive meeting regarding Greece’s stance in NATO Summit Meeting.

Mr. Roussopoulos said that Mr. Papandreou’s suggestion on Skopje is welcomed. However, he stressed that these initiatives must take place in the right time and not a day before the beginning of NATO Summit Meeting and the departure of FYROM leadership to Bucharest.

He also stated that the Prime Minister has been in contact with foreign leaders as well as the Greek FM with her counterparts making clear the Greek stances.

When asked if our country’s previous history with New Mexico constitutes a claiming basis, after Mrs. Bakoyiannis relative reference on the issues, Mr. Roussopoulos said that the Greek diplomacy is taking into advantage all these arguments that can been drawn from history, geography and the national environment in order to persuade its allies and counterparts.

On reference to the consequences Greece may face in the case of a veto imposition, Mr. Roussopoulos said: "we have taken onto consideration all issues and as all of us already know we have defined our strategy and the tactic movements we have to make in the framework of the three day discussion of NATO Summit Meeting.

Regarding the possibility of pressures exercised by our allies, the governmental spokesman said: "a series of discussion has taken place among the Greek side and among many other sides for the issue. Each one is trying to convince others for its arguments"

Nikola Gruevski Optimistic

Meanwhile, FYROM Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski has left today for Bucharest , with President Branko Crvenkovski leaving on Wednesday.

During his departure, Mr Gruevski reported that despite the fact that there are no indications about a change in the Greek stance he is optimistic that FYROM will be invited to join NATO.

The PM to Visit Bucharest on Wednesday

PM Kostas Karamanlis, who is leaving in the afternoon for Bucharest to attend the NATO Summit Meeting will visit sit for a dinner at Cotroceni Palace after his arrival. In parallel, the Foreign ministers will sit for a working dinner. The official opening of the Summit Meeting will take place Thursday morning. Then, NATO will hold a meeting with the candidate countries. The NATO Secretary General as well as US President George Bush will deliver speeches. At about 13:00, a working dinner will take place and in the afternoon a meeting will be held on Afghanistan. A cultural event will be held at Athenaeum at 19:00 Thursday, to be followed by a dinner for NATO member-state leaders and foreign ministers. On Friday, a meeting will focus on NATO-Ukraine to be followed by another meeting on NATO-Russia. The Summit Meeting will conclude later and at 14:00 Mr Karamanlis will leave for Athens.

http://news.ert.gr/en/c/4/31851.asp

[Astoria]

http://ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_art.../04/2008_95027

Preparing for the storm
By Alexis Papachelas

Greece is going to need nerves of steel over the next days and weeks, as its veto of FYROM’s NATO membership is certain to irk Washington and other parts of the world. The prime minister seems ready to face the first major challenge in Bucharest and he is probably enjoying the fact that his handling of the issue will add a certain air of Andreas Papandreou to his profile. The real battle, however, will come later and this will require a very cool head.

Greece will get slammed on a global scale. Few understand its position and no one, but no one, knows what we’re on about when we start going a few hundred years back in history. Greece has strong arguments that do not need to be corroborated by archaeologists. As Archbishop Iakovos used to say – with that rare combination of Halki Seminary wisdom and Madison Avenue marketing smarts – “Americans stop listening when you go back too far. Talk to them about business interests and security, and they’ll get it.”

Greece must also expect a backlash from Skopje. We shouldn’t be surprised if they baptize every public square Bucephalus just to get under our skins or if they find “innocent” ways to harm Greek business interests in their country.

We must also keep cool in dealing with the USA. Marching and beating our chests in front of the US Embassy never brought anything more than self-satisfaction. Let us face Washington with the calm, confident manner of a country that has nothing to fear, and say, “Sorry to ruin the party, but these are our interests and those are yours.” Greece will have to think about how it will cash in on the veto as soon as the summit is over. It will no longer have to have talks chaperoned by the US deputy secretary of state; it will no longer have to prove to America that it is behaving and it must enter into negotiations with a clear position and with confidence.

[Astoria]

Greek diplomats brace for pressure at NATO summit
Gov’t has the country’s ‘full political backing’ for FYROM veto, FM notes

Pantelis Saitas/ANA
Reporters and cameramen yesterday swarmed around main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou outside the Maximos Mansion where he and Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis discussed tomorrow’s crucial NATO summit. Papandreou backed a veto of Skopje’s bid to join NATO before the Macedonia name dispute is resolved.


Greece's top diplomats have the whole country behind them in barring Skopje's bid to join NATO for as long as the Macedonia name dispute remains unresolved, Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis said yesterday as she prepared to travel to Bucharest for a crucial alliance summit.

«We have the country's full political backing,» Bakoyannis said yesterday after briefing the Inner Cabinet on diplomatic preparations for the summit, which is to extend membership invitations to Albania, Croatia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

Hopes for a solution appeared to have faded. «The time now left for such a decision is dramatically limited if not non-existent,» foreign ministry spokesman Giorgos Koumoutsakos said.

Bakoyannis, due in Bucharest today along with Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, explained Greece's stance in an opinion piece published in the International Herald Tribune yesterday. «As long as this problem persists we cannot and will not endorse FYROM joining NATO or the European Union. No Greek government will ever agree to it,» she wrote.

Karamanlis also tried to muster some international backing, reportedly telephoning German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other foreign leaders.

According to sources, Karamanlis and Bakoyannis analyzed the possible scenarios that would follow a Greek veto of FYROM's bid to join the Atlantic alliance.

Meanwhile opposition leaders were unanimous in their calls for a veto.

Main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou, a former foreign minister, offered to travel to Skopje to try and make some diplomatic headway but his proposal was rejected.

In Skopje, FYROM's Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski said he was optimistic. «Although there are no positive signs from Greece, we still hope to be invited for NATO membership,» he said.

In Brussels, the European Union's presidency said «the ball is in Greece's court,» claiming Skopje had already «shown a lot of flexibility.»

[Promethean Fire]

Zero Hour" for Skopje Issue 02 Apr 2008 21:24:00 (Last updated: 02 Apr 2008 23:58:08)

By Katerina Ioannidou
Ε-mail Print




Sources: NET-NET 105.8-ΑNA-ΜPA

The crucial dinner of NATO member-state leaders has ended in Bucharest. Greek Prime Minister presented the Greek arguments, as per which FYROM should not be invited to join NATO. Meanwhile, as per Reuters, NATO leaders will postpone inviting FYROM (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) to join NATO. The leaders, who attended today’s dinner concluded that FYROM cannot be invited to join NATO in the present phase as Greece cannot consent to its entry unless the name issue is resolved first. As per diplomatic sources, NATO leaders have not decided to give the Ukraine and Georgia a candidate status. Meanwhile, US President George Bush appeared optimistic over the Afghanistan issue. However, he appeared reserved over NATO's expansion.

Meanwhile, a nationalistic organization has staged a protest rally in Skopje today in support of the country’s constitutional name.

The final details on the Greek stance were decided in Athens in the morning at a meeting between the PM and the Foreign and Defence ministers.

Acting government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros reminded that any solution that will be mutually accepted it will have to be approved by the UN Security Council.

From his side, PASOK (Socialists) Secretary Giannis Ragousis argued that Greece’s veto would prove a negative development for Greece.
At the same time, Portuguese Prime Minister José Sócrates appeared to understand the Greek positions, adding that there is room for the FYROM name issue to be resolved in a mutually accepted way.

PASOK having a shot...god damn politics.

Anyways....lets see how this is all going to pan out now.

[Tsontos]

Also from Kathimerini today:

Mutual steps, better neighbors

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis is not traveling to Bucharest on his own. He has the clear backing of all of Greece’s political leaders and the desire of all Greeks to solve the Macedonia name dispute in a mutually beneficial fashion.

Greece has shown great maturity in the final stage of negotiations. It avoided populist cries and noisy sound bites aimed at public consumption, unlike some of the parties in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

Greece behaved in a reasonable fashion as a major Western country and also a member of the Balkans. It’s time that the Skopje government did the same. It must behave as a Western state that wishes to join the transatlantic alliance. FYROM must shed its maximalist stance and assume its own share of the responsibility so that an understanding can be reached. Mutual steps will make better neighbors. That’s regardless of what our transatlantic allies have to say – who are after all thousands of miles away.

http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w.../04/2008_95026

[Tsontos]

Athens Newspaper Headlines

The Wednesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance



The crucial NATO Summit meeting beginning on Wednesday afternoon in Bucharest and the national unanimity resulting from the opposition's backing of Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis' positions on the FYROM issue dominated the headlines on Wednesday in Athens' newspapers.



ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "As Karamanlis wages the big battle, the entire nation backs him"



APOGEVMATINI: "Operation 'grabbing' of Greek Macedonia - FYROM's 'propaganda' maps and symbols".



AVGHI: "The referendum is a democratic solution (for the social security bill) - Collision on Tuesday in parliament"



AVRIANI: "Greece united in a tight fist - Government, opposition and people united against President Bush's intolerable extortion".



CHORA: "Greece remains united and determined despite US and associates' pressures - What will happen in Bucharest".



ELEFTHERI ORA: "We must remain adamant in Bucharest against the US and NATO pressures and extortions on the FYROM issue".



ELEFTHEROS: "At the NATO leaders' dinner in Bucharest, a veto will be served - Karamanlis sent letters to the 25 NATO member leaders".



ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Immediate solution or veto - Bush's last minute plan (to circumvent a veto by Greece) - Karamanlis sends letters to all leaders".



ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Red line - National front for veto - Up to what limit may Karamanlis back down"



ESTIA: "Skopje violated 1995 interim agreement on the name".



ETHNOS: "Veto now .....opens a window to the future - Not inviting FYROM to join NATO is the only way".



KATHIMERINI: "Crucial night in Bucharest - Greece ready to set a veto despite heavy pressure from US to permit FYROM's accession to NATO".



LOGOS: "Greek unanimity before the NATO Summit - The negotiations thriller escalates ".



NIKI: "Solid 'no' to Bush - The nationwide front puts a stop to US plans for FYROM".



RIZOSPASTIS: "All united in the April 16 labour strike on social security, collective labour agreements and anti-labour measures on the way".



TA NEA: "Karamanlis' wretched veto to main opposition leader George Papandreou - He rejected Papandreou offer to visit Skopje".



TO VIMA: "Pressures and behind-the-scenes maneuvers for FYROM- The battle of Bucharest".



VRADYNI: "Premier heading for NATO Summit with unanimity as his weapon - Parties and people stand by Karamanlis".

http://www.ana-mpa.gr/anaweb/user/sh...711&service=98

[Tsontos]

From ANA-MPA:

KKE on FYROM, NATO summit

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) on Tuesday expressed its strong opposition to the expansion of NATO in the Balkans.

In an announcement, the KKE also accuses ruling New Democracy (ND) and main opposition PASOK of "not referring to other issues" scheduled for discussion at the NATO Bucharest summit, which begins on Wednesday.

"Limiting, by the ND government and PASOK leadership, the discussion to the name issue of FYROM only, and making no reference to the other crucial issues that the NATO summit will decide, is a dangerous disorientation," the announcement said in reference to a meeting earlier in the day between Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and PASOK leader George Papandreou.

"KKE warns the Greek people that NATO's expansion in the region, the US anti-missile shield in Europe, reinforcement of occupation troops in Kosovo and Afghanistan, the creation of a Euro-army -and with Greece's participation in all above actions - bear enormous threats for peoples' rights, peace and sovereign rights," the announcement added.

http://www.ana-mpa.gr/anaweb/user/sh...10&service=100

Greece vetoes invitation to FYROM for NATO entry

Greek Prime Minsiter Costas Karamanlis on Wednesday night vetoed a NATO invitation to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) to join, during an alliance crucial summit in Bucharest.

Addressing the leaders' dinner, which signaled the opening of the summit, Karamanlis outlined Greece's positions on the isuue, underlining that it cannot consent to a FYROM NATO entry invitation if the "name issue" of the former Yugoslav republic is not resolved first.

France, Italy, Spain, Iceland and Luxembourg expressed their support to Greece's positions, while Hungary, Slovakia, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany viewed with understanding the Greek arguments.

Opposing the Greek position and supporting an invitation without conditions to FYROM, were Turkey, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, and Lithuania.

Denmark, Bulgaria, and Norway, although moving in the same direction, were less enthousiastic. Canada, Great Britain and Portugal refrained from taking a stand.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy was the wormest supporter of the Greek positions, who said in his address that "We stand in solidarity with Greeks, we believe that a solution must be found. I have Hungarian roots, but I also have Greek roots and I fully assume them."

During a reception preceding the official dinner, Premier Karamanlis held a brief conversation with U.S. President George W. Bush.

In a related development, NATO spokesman James Appathurai told reporters in Brussels after the end of the Bucharest dinner, that Greece made clear that despite the fact that it wants to see FYROM joining NATO the soonest possible, it is not possible to give its consent as long as the neighbouring republic's "name issue" remains unresolved.

According to an ANA-MPA dispatch from the Belgian capital, Appathurai added that, given Greece's position, efforts for resolving the "name issue" should continue, noting at the same time that all NATO member-states wish for a compromise solution as soon as possible, without this meaning that concrete timeframes have been set.

http://www.ana-mpa.gr/anaweb/user/sh...1501&service=6

[Tsontos]

An editorial from Kathimerini

New era for cooperation

Friday April 4, 2008

By Nikos Xydakis

Greece’s veto at the NATO summit is not aimed at FYROM, but against the intransigence and political shortsightedness of the country’s political leadership, which inflates their countrymen’s nationalist illusions, ignoring any willingness for cooperation.

The freeze over Skopje, when its NATO entry was put off indefinitely, revealed how much faith the people had in the USA’s self-seeking encouragement, as well as their leaders’ immaturity. They believed that America’s Balkan policy, based on causing divisions and promoting autonomy, could quell every resistance, every other voice. But Washington cannot impose what it wills where it wills; its stature has been undermined by the course of events in Iraq and its own ongoing financial crisis.

The symbolic defeat in Bucharest may mark the end of illusions and the beginning of maturity for the neighboring country. It may come to see that Greece is not an enemy, quite the contrary; it simply wants to see an accurate geographical name. A joint effort at a solution will not just lead to a mutually acceptable name, but will also forge new paths of cooperation and development, and strengthen the already existing ones.

This should be Greece’s next step, after a solution is found: an assault of friendship and cooperation. Skopje needs Athens and Athens needs Skopje. The two peoples have lived together for centuries, united by more than that which divides them. Peaceful and creative coexistence is the only viable path. Super-nationalist mice that like to roar, secessionist tendencies and the creation of protectorates, Great Ideas and criminality in the dead zones are being encouraged and sparked by elements outside the Balkans.

The Bucharest summit must and can herald in a new period of rapprochement, with honesty and realism, free of arbitrators and malevolent intervention.

http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w.../04/2008_95123

and another:

Valuable experience gained in Bucharest

The NATO summit in Bucharest demonstrated that persistence and a firm stance can yield fruit, even when superpowers are pushing in the opposite direction to the nation’s interests.

The prime minister had first-hand experience of this on Wednesday and now he has an opportunity to use his experience to set an example for his ministers.

What he should now do is speak to his ministers about the manner in which they are handling their portfolios, as their efforts often appear to come up against – what they see as – “insurmountable obstacles.”

The support of other parties in Greece and the way they rallied behind the government in pursuit of a common goal is praiseworthy and should serve as a lesson for all political forces in the country.

While there may be conflict on lesser issues, on major issues there must be room for agreement. This is the way to achieve national objectives, both inside and beyond Greece’s borders.
http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w.../04/2008_95122