President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos presented the Onassis Foundation Awards yesterday at a special ceremony on the historic Pnyx Hill near the Acropolis, in the presence of Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou, political leaders, diplomats and international academicians.
Earlier in the day, the visiting UN chief was received by President Stephanopoulos for a 40-minute meeting that, according to sources, focused on Greek national issues and particularly Turkish threats against Greece. Mr. Boutros-Ghali will visit Ankara later this month. Mr. Stephanopoulos presented Mr. Boutros-Ghali with the Grand Cross of Honour in recognition of his services toward world peace.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias said he remained guarded concerning prospects for a settlement on the FYROM issue due to continuous retractions by FYROM President Kiro Gligorov, which he said were intended for domestic consumption. "I would say that we are close to a solution (to the problem)," Mr. Papoulias added.
Speaking at a round-table discussion later in the day, the UN chief said the international organisation had not failed in its mission in former Yugoslavia and criticised the mass media for "distorting" the United Nations' image. Citing the provision of humanitarian aid to civilians, assistance to refugees and the presence of a UN peace force in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Mr. Boutros-Ghali said the UN had not failed in former Yugoslavia.
Mr. Boutros-Ghali also referred to the UN's successes in Cambodia, El Salvador and Mozambique. He expressed the hope that a peace accord would be signed by opposing sides when he visits Rwanda next week.
Mr. Boutros-Ghali criticised the press for "distorting" the UN's image by focusing their attention only on the international organisation's peacekeeping activities. In reality, he said, peacekeeping activities account for only 30 per cent of the UN's overall activities. Mr. Ghali appealed to the major powers to support the UN so it may successfully perform its peace and humanitarian missions.
The UN secretary general was awarded the prize for "Inter-national Understanding and Social Achievement" for contributing "to the initiation of certain solutions to a number of international problems concerning the wider area of the Mediterranean." Prof. Jacqueline de Romilly, a member of the Academie Francaise, was awarded the Prize for Culture, for her "exceptional contribution to the study and dissemination of ancient Greek culture and her struggle to preserve the teaching of the ancient Greek and Latin languages in high schools and colleges." Prof. Jorg Imberger of the University of Western Australia and Prof. Panayiotis Varotsos of Athens University shared the Prize for the Environment, the former for "his work both in the field of environmental fluid dynamics and its applications," and the latter "in recognition of his work regarding the method for predicting earthquakes," acknowledged by the Scientific and Technical Commission of the UN as "a realistic hope and vital contribution to natural disaster reduction." The awards by the Liechtenstein-based foundation were prescribed in the will of late shipping magnate Aristotelis Onassis, in memory of his son Alexandros.
In his speech during yesterday's presentation ceremony, the UN chief made extensive reference to Greece's contribution to international understanding. "The contributions of Greece to international understanding and social achievement have spanned three thousand years. "We owe to Greece our perception of the world. We owe to Greece our ideas of justice, truth and virtue - our vision of what it means to be human.
"Over the years since the times of ancient Greece, the concepts of the polis, justice and democracy have evolved and expanded. Each concept remains essential to the well-being of the modern state, but must now be expanded to encompass a changing, interconnecting world. In today's global environment, democracy is conductive to co-operation and negotiation among countries.
Both within and among states, the norms and institutions of democracy offer the only long-term basis for managing diverse and competing ethnic, religious and cultural interests," Mr. Boutros-Ghali said, adding: "Democratic regimes cultivate respect for human rights, equality before the law and the freedom of people to express their will. Its practices ensure peaceful venues of conflict resolution.
"Greek history offers an earlier example to realise this hope for unity in pursuit of a common interest in the Delian League, a proto-United Nations. Centuries later, the Arab philosopher Alfarabi recalled this theme in his work 'Al-Madinah al-Fadilah,' the 'virtuous city', which inspired the 'Mu'murah al-Fadilah,' the 'virtuous planet.'
"The ancient concepts of political community are today attaining truly global dimension. The United Nations is at the forefront of strengthening the commitment of all peoples to the international community. "The World Court, a UN organ, and international tribunals have extended the ideals of justice and the rule of law to international relations. The Law of the Sea Convention has resolved age-old questions long familiar to Greece.
"Democratisation is taking part in every part of the globe. The United Nations works to extend the norms, practices and values of democracy to the international level. "Furthermore, through the United Nations, the sacred worth of each human being has been recognised and enshrined in a universal covenant on human rights.
"As a seafaring nation, Greece from ancient times has explored and sought to understand other societies. The resulting exchange of ideas has immeasurably enriched the world. It has fostered a spirit of tolerance and understanding essential to the respect for human rights. "If we are to redeem the promise of the Charter, we must strive, in the tradition of this country, to bring the widest human understanding to bear upon the obstacles that confront us.
If the vision of human dignity that was embraced here is to triumph, we must begin a new quest for human welfare, with the determination and creativity native to Greece. "The dawn of a new day beckons. Ahead lies a vast ocean of possibility. We are growing ever closer to a world which honours justice, truth and virtue, and glorifies the humanity of every individual."
Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias left yesterday on a two-day official visit to Bucharest for talks with the Romanian leadership on international, regional and bilateral issues. While in Bucharest, Mr. Papoulias will hold talks with Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu, President Ion Iliescu and Prime Minister Nicolae Vacaroiu. The talks will cover developments in the Balkans and former Yugoslavia, bilateral relations and the course of Romania's bid for membership in various west European institutions.
"My visit to Bucharest underscores the excellent relations between Greece and Romania," Mr. Papoulias said on arrival in the Romanian capital where he was welcomed by Mr. Melescanu. Mr. Papoulias said his talks in Romania would focus not only on bilateral issues, but also problems in the region, such as that of the former Yugoslavia, which he described as a Balkan and European problem. Greece, he continued, was making every possible effort to promote Romania's accession to the European Union, NATO and all European forums. Romania's participation in European organisations is an important contribution to European integration, he added.
Mr. Papoulias later had talks with Mr. Iliescu, with both sides agreeing that Greece, Romania and Bulgaria should co-operate on highway construction and infrastructure projects in the region, according to an ANA despatch from Bucharest. The importance of Greece's full support for the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the EU was also ascertained, with Mr. Papoulias and Mr. Iliescu agreeing that entry of the two countries would consolidate security in the Balkans and stability in Europe. During the meeting, both sides agreed that a new target should be set for commercial co-operation, with an increase in transactions from the present $250 million to $500 million. They also agreed on the need for closer co-operation between the Black Sea countries.
In a subsequent meeting with senate leader Olivio German, both sides agreed that friendly relations between Greece and Romania could play an important role in consolidating peace in the Balkans. "The two countries can serve as a bridge of stability," Mr. German said, adding that perhaps at some point in the future it will be necessary to create a "regional structure" of Balkan countries to attain greater security.
Mr. German expressed particular satisfaction over assistance provided by Greek Eurodeputies for Romania's efforts to move closer to Europe, stressing that Greece was the first country to ratify Romania's association agreement with the EU. Mr. Papoulias underlined that Greece supported the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to all European organisations. "It is not possible for Germany to think about development of various countries in the region and leave Romania out," Mr. Papoulias said, expressing the hope that Romania would soon join the EU.
The Hellenic Navy will take delivery of five Sikorsky helicopters at a special ceremony at the Kotroni Airbase near Marathon Friday. The contract for the purchase of the helicopters was signed in December 1991, with a total cost of 43 billion drachmas. Sikorsky helicopters are in service with the armed forces of the United States, Japan, Spain and Australia.
The US Special Co-ordinator for Cyprus, James Williams, arrived in Ankara late Monday for talks with foreign ministry officials. On arrival, Mr. Williams told the Anatolia News Agency that "problems between Greece and Turkey are much too complicated" and that he would only concern himself with the Cyprus issue. "I always have the hope there will be a solution to Greek-Turkish problems," he told reporters.
Asked how Greece's alleged support of Kurdish separatists would affect Cyprus consultations, Mr. Williams said it was clear that issue could not affect them. Mr. Williams is expected to arrive in Athens today. Turkey has accused Greece recently of supporting Kurdish fighters of the PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party), while Athens has vigorously and continuously denied all allegations.
The government yesterday downplayed a recommendation by the European Union Economy and Finance Ministers' Council (ECOFIN) threatening suspension of funding if by the end of the year the public deficit hasn't been drastically slashed.
Replying to reporters' questions, Government Spokesman Evangelos Venizelos described the ECOFIN recommendation as "usual," adding that Greece's economic policy was being implemented within the framework of the economic Convergence Programme "with impressive results".
National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou on Monday expressed satisfaction over the wording of a recommendation to Greece concerning the public deficit. He said the recommendation acknowledged that to date Greece has been consistent with commitments undertaken on the basis of the 1995 Convergence Programme.
Athens replied yesterday to Turkish statements that it was bolstering fortifications on Greek islands in the Aegean by saying the islands were a part of Greek territory and were treated as such by the government. The statements were made by Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesman Omer Akbel, who also demanded abolition of article 19 of the Greek code on citizenship.
On the issue of citizenship, Government Spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said Greece's position was set out in provisions of Articles 4 and 5 of the constitution, clearly indicating that there were no plans to revise them. None of the proposals put forth by political parties concerning the revision of the constitution provides for revision of articles 4 and 5. Mr. Akbel claimed Greece's code on citizenship discriminated between citizens on the basis of their ethnic origin.