Greece, the ‘best friend in the Balkans’
WASHINGTON – Given that the main objective of his visit to Washington was to dispel the caution that had overshadowed bilateral relations lately, Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis has every reason to feel satisfied. His meeting with American Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice went extremely well. The Americans adroitly avoided raising any issues that might sour the atmosphere and despite predictions to the contrary, did not even mention the usual question of terrorist activity in Greece. The State Department’s first priority at the moment is probably to put bilateral relations on a closer, more functional basis. Judging by the unusually warm comments the American minister made to her Greek counterpart, a good personal relationship was established between them which should facilitate political intentions on both sides. Greeks adapt The government of Costas Karamanlis has emphasized the need to dispel the caution which the United States has displayed recently in the bilateral relationship, and it seems ready to adapt as far as possible to US policy. That was the point of seeking common ground for the purpose of strategic cooperation. That is how Washington sees it and Rice’s comments were made in that spirit. It was not by chance that Molyviatis emphasized his satisfaction with what he called the «American initiative to foster and encourage the expansion of democracy and freedom in the world.» In his talks with US officials and in interviews, the minister stressed Greece’s participation in the international force in Bosnia, Kosovo and Afghanistan, as well as its decision to help train Iraqi security forces. On the other hand, it was clear that Greece has some reservations. Molyviatis felt the need to make it clear in his statement that «we are satisfied as long as these principles (of democracy and freedom) are extended to the whole world, on the self-evident condition, of course, that this is done by the peoples concerned and does no take the form of external intervention or imposition.» Two hot topics The minister’s talks with US National Security Advisor Stephen Huntley made it clear that the two issues of interest to Greece in which Washington is also interested at the moment are Cyprus and the future of Kosovo. Until December, there was also the unresolved issue of whether Turkey would get on the accession path to the European Union. The Greek and Cypriot «yes» to the European Council played a decisive part in attaining that goal, which American diplomacy had promoted for its own reasons. Sources say that Molyviatis conveyed to Rice the views not only of Athens but also those of Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos on the way in which, following the upcoming presidential election in the breakaway state in the north of Cyprus (on April 17), negotiations will get underway again to solve the Cyprus issue. He is to do the same in his meeting today in New York with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who has asked Nicosia to submit in writing the changes it wants to his plan. Road map The same sources say that Washington is applying pressure for acceptance of a road map on further action concerning Cyprus. This subject was discussed in meetings between Annan and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Karamanlis and Erdogan, and Karamanlis and Papadopoulos. Insiders say that Athens has played an active part in this respect, advising Nicosia but not bringing pressure to bear on it as the Americans would like. With the agreement of the National Council of Cyprus, Papadopoulos has ruled out the likelihood of UN adjudication. He does not recognize its right to present a plan for a solution that the two communities must either accept or reject. At the moment, diplomatic negotiations are focusing on the contents of the letter stating the Greek-Cypriot views that Annan made a prerequisite for launching his new initiative. The most likely outcome is that bi-communal talks will restart on the basis of the existing plan so as to try and close the gaps on points where there is disagreement. It seems that the fear of another failure will discourage any temptation to impose a tight deadline. But negotiations will not fizzle out in an interminable process. Since Cyprus has become a full EU member and Turkey is on its way to accession, matters have come to a head. The Cyprus question cannot go back into the drawer. Both the US and the EU are doing all they can to arrive at some solution. As things stand, the real dilemma facing the Greek-Cypriot political leadership is either to accept the Annan Plan with minimal changes, or to seek, albeit belatedly, a strategic revision; in other words, to propose a search for another kind of solution. Given that there is no such political intention, it seems that the first outcome will become a one-way road. Kosovo The second major issue on which Washington wants Athens’s cooperation is the future of Kosovo, not only because the area is in Greece’s neighborhood but because Greece currently has a seat on the UN Security Council. In July, when the issue will most probably come up for discussion, Greece will hold the Council presidency. Athens, like the EU, has already adjusted to the American view that Kosovo cannot retain broad autonomy within the realm of Serbia. The Greek foreign minister expressed this view in an article in The Washington Times. Consequently Rice has every reason to say that «there is no better friend than Greece when it comes to dealing with challenges in the Balkans.» Besides, independence is only a question of time. Some criteria must be met, of course, but this process will, by its nature, affect only the pace of developments and not their outcome.
