GREECE/MACEDONIA: PRIME MINISTER TELLS PARLIAMENT

UNCLAS ATHENS 002245

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MK GR
SUBJECT: GREECE/MACEDONIA: PRIME MINISTER TELLS PARLIAMENT
NAME SOLUTION REQUIRED FOR NATO INVITATION

REF: ATHENS 2199 AND PREVIOUS

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Summary
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1. On November 16, PM Karamanlis told the Greek Parliament
that Macedonia's "access to Euro-Atlantic organizations"
depends upon a "definitive and mutually acceptable solution"
on the name issue. Meanwhile, FM Bakoyannis publicly
repeated the point that "good neighborly relations" requires
a "mutually satisfactory solution for the name dispute."

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PM Karamanlis to Parliament
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2. During the November 16 "Prime Minister's Hour" at the
Greek Parliament, PM Karamanlis was asked by far-right
Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) Party leader George
Karatzaferis whether Greece had changed its "expressed
direction" on the Macedonia name issue. Karamanlis responded
that Greece has had no "change in direction," and continues
to proceed with "frankness, determination, and a constructive
spirit." He then added, "Only a definitive and mutually
acceptable solution, only active respect of the Agreements
and the principles of good neighborliness can "unlock" and
ensure objective prospects for alliance relations,
partnership relations, relations of solidarity with that
neighboring country. There is no other road that leads to
its accession to Euro-Atlantic organizations." He added,
that if Macedonia wants to "enter NATO and the EU, it needs
to prove in practice that it wishes to be an ally and
partner, to demonstrate practical respect for the principles
of international law, to prove that it fulfills all
prerequisites without any lessening of these obligations, to
cover the distance that it needs to, so that we can meet at a
common, mutually acceptable solution."


3. In response to rumors that the GOG might call for a
popular referendum on any compromise reached with Skopje,
Karamanlis said that in the event of an agreement with
Skopje, the Government of Greece would not/not call for a
popular referendum, but that it would put the agreement to
the Greek Parliament for approval/ratification.

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FM Bakoyiannis' Interview on "Good Neighborly Relations
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4. Meanwhile, in an interview published by Greek Daily "Ta
Nea" 11/19, FM Bakoyiannis termed U/S Burns' statement to the
HIRC 11/15 on Macedonia "not new" and "no surprise for
Greece" (Comment: Greek papers have widely reported U/S
Burn's statement to the HIRC that Macedonia should not be
denied an invitation to NATO for any reason other than
failure to meet the substantive qualifications for entry as a
"blow" to Greece. End Comment). Bakoyannis emphasized that
Greece also wants to see Macedonia in NATO, but "as their
neighbor, we wish our alliance relationship . . .to become
buttressed on the firm foundations of mutual confidence and
good neighborly relations. The practical proof of the
existence of these self-evident conditions, necessary
conditions for any alliance relationship, would be the
discovery of a mutually satisfactory solution for the name
dispute." Later, she added, " . . . a mutually acceptable
solution is the only way for Skopje to reach NATO and the EU,
we mean it."
COUNTRYMAN