USIA Transcript: Kornblum Speech on U.S.-Greek Relations (96-05-08)

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From: The U.S. Information Agency (USIA) Gopher <gopher://gopher.usia.gov>

(Expresses U.S. concern over Greek-Turkish tensions) (2140)

But in a May 8 address to a conference on U.S.-Greek relations and the future of Southeast Europe, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for European and Canadian Affairs John Kornblum expressed the conviction that new opportunities exist for a peaceful resolution of these conflicts, including the long-standing communal conflict between the Greek and Turkish communities on Cyprus.

Kornblum emphasized that the United States wants to assist its two allies resolve their conflicts, because both countries "have a great deal to contribute to the new Europe -- and regional peace and growth would make great contributions to help them successfully meet the challenges they face at home.

"It is time," said Kornblum, "to seize the unprecedented opportunity before us, to overcome the suspicions of the past, and to consolidate the identity of Western culture, in which Greek contributions continue to play such an enduring role. We can and must build a Europe of sovereign, equal democracies, united with each other and America by shared values and institutions."

The conference was sponsored by the Lilian Vourdouris and Karamanlis foundations, the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and the Institute for Foreign Policy Analysis.

Following is the text of Kornblum's remarks as prepared for delivery:

I am very pleased to have been invited to speak to you about Europe after the Cold War. This is an time of dramatic change, with the collapse of the Soviet Union and the advent of new states throughout the Balkans. It is a time of great promise for the future, with historic movement toward peace in the Mid-East and all its implications for Europe, and with peace being forged in Bosnia. Greece, Turkey, and all their neighbors in southeastern Europe have an important role to play in building the future of a new Europe.

A new era has begun in the former Yugoslavia, carried on the backs of peacekeepers from around the world -- soldiers from the United States and Russia, from Greece and Turkey, and 26 other countries. Working together, these brave men and women are bringing justice, reconciliation, and above all, new hope. Our success or failure in implementing fully the Dayton accords will shape our ability to work together to achieve our broader hopes for a peaceful, democratic, and prosperous Europe.

Through initiatives like the Partnership for Peace, we are forging the cooperation that makes our work in Bosnia possible. As NATO and its partners pool their diverse strengths to help bring peace to Bosnia, they are offering a new beginning to that war-torn country. They are also -- by example -- providing a model for the future. The food served in the messes in Bosnia, the languages heard in the camps, and the religious services attended by the IFOR troops attest to their wide range of ethnic, cultural, and religious differences. These polyglot troops are working together in harmony. They show the Bosnian people, by their own impressive example, how people from widely different backgrounds cooperate for a common objective.

Secretary Christopher spoke not too long ago in Prague about the challenges of creating a united Europe out of what was so divided during the Cold War. The first challenge, he said, is for the nations of Europe. They must take responsibility for building democratic stability from within. Free elections and free markets are only the first steps. Real democracies also require tolerance and respect for human rights and minority views. They must establish, encourage and protect a free press, free trade unions, and nongovernmental organizations. They must confront effectively problems like crime, environmental damage, and poverty.

The second challenge is for us here in the United States: We must continue to engage in Europe. Important U.S. interests are still at stake there, and American leadership is still needed to ensure transatlantic peace, security, and democracy. Together, we and Europe are meeting tremendously difficult challenges. The war in Bosnia has ended and peace is being built, and a potential conflict between Greece and Turkey was averted. As Secretary Christopher said, a central lesson of this century is that "America must remain a European power." Looking inward distracts us from our interests and obligations abroad, at our peril.

The final challenge is one that the United States and Europe must confront together, perhaps, the most difficult of all. This is the unification of the European continent, the elimination of the limitations and dividing lines imposed by the Cold War. We must build new partnerships with new, equal partners. The Western nations of Europe prospered in the years following the Second World War. The time has now come to offer the Eastern nations the same opportunity.

Standing together, we can build lasting security and a transatlantic economy. United, we can turn our attention to the global issues which we face: the need to extend dynamic economic growth to countries which have not been part of the free market economy, the perils of terrorism, organized crime, and environmental degradation. When we stand shoulder to shoulder, we will be able to extend a helping hand to those nations elsewhere in the world still struggling to break out of the yokes of authoritarian rule or extreme poverty.

The United States has a strategy to work with Europe to build security, democracy, and an integrated continent. It includes a revitalized, enlarged NATO as a force for peace and security. It calls for greater engagement with the EU as the EU itself opens its doors to the East. The European Union is just as critical to the future of Europe. The EU's work to institutionalize democratic and market reforms and build European cooperation can break down old barriers and build economic and political progress with stability. The EU will provide needed economic resources to pay for this ambitious political agenda.

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe brings countries together to work for open societies and full respect for the rule of law. These principles will guarantee real stability in the future. Through the Partnership for Peace and through our bilateral relations, we must also build a strong, productive relationship with Russia.

Let me turn to the specific issues we confront in Southeastern Europe. Just two weeks ago I visited Greece, Turkey, and Cyprus to emphasize the importance the U.S. attaches to this region. Here we find our close friends and NATO allies divided by disputes that for too long have been left unsettled. But I believe new opportunities lie before us today.

To the east of Turkey, to the north of Greece, new states are moving forward toward democracy and economic development. Greece and Turkey should play leading roles in this process. This requires, however, moving beyond the disputes which have divided them, advancing a settlement with Cyprus, and addressing key internal problems as well.

Greece -- a key NATO ally, democracy, and a member of the EU -- offers a natural port to the Balkans and bridge to the East. It has a key role to play in building ties of commerce and peace in the Balkans. Today, Greek troops work with us on IFOR and Greece is making significant progress in improving its relations with its neighbors -- including the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Albania. At the same time, Greece must confront important economic challenges: It faces difficulties in meeting Maastricht criteria and has one of the highest unemployment rates in Western Europe. Its economy suffers from a large budget deficit and a high level of public debt, which have resulted in anemic economic growth averaging one percent over the last three years. Prime Minister Simitis has pledged that his administration will focus substantial attention on addressing these problems.

Turkey is also a close ally, sitting upon a strategic crossroads connecting the Balkans, the Mid-East, and the Newly Independent States. It too is a democracy in a part of the world where democracy is not firmly rooted. Turkey remains a strongly secular country in a region of growing religious conservatism. It faces the challenges of bringing its human rights record up to Western standards and confronting a domestic terrorist group in its southeast, the PKK. Turkey also faces major economic problems, including severe inflation. The new government is setting a course to correct this with reform and privatization. The recently concluded Customs Union with the European Union offers particular promise in this regard.

Despite all the similarities between these two important allies, there remains a long history of mistrust and a number of current problems which divide them. We must do what we can to help these neighbors and partners come together. These are not easy differences -- there are important equities at stake. Flexibility is needed to address them.

Although Greece and Turkey came close to conflict in the Aegean islets crisis in January, the leaders of both nations ultimately recognized that peace is better than war. That situation was dangerous, but the decisions by both sides to avoid bloodshed was positive. We applaud the leaders of both Greece and Turkey for their courage in continuing to seek peace.

The meeting between Foreign Minister Pangalos and Turkish Foreign Minister Gonensay in Bucharest last week was a positive development. Even more positive is their decision to meet again soon to discuss further how to settle the disputes between their nations.

We are hopeful that this process will lead to a decision to bring the issue of sovereignty over the disputed Aegean islets to the International Court of Justice or a similar international body for arbitration and to full implementation of the Turkish Customs Union with the EU. Most of all, we hope that these actions will mark the beginning of a process of growing reconciliation between our friends.

Nothing symbolizes the challenges and opportunities confronting this region more than the island of Cyprus. This was my first visit to Cyprus, and I was struck during my short time there by how much Cyprus reminded me of Berlin in the Cold War years -- and of the pain caused by the division, and the human and economic potential lost. This island, divided for so long -- with a Turkish Cypriot community on one side, and a Greek Cypriot community on the other -- should be reunited. Only then, can Cyprus tap its full potential for the benefit of all Cypriots.

The United States stands prepared to assist in resolving the dispute in Cyprus. We emphasized our concern to Turkish President Demirel and Greek Prime Minister Simitis when they visited Washington this spring. While in Cyprus, I met with both President Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Nenktash. The two communities appreciate our support and believe that American engagement is very important to achieve a solution, but they made it clear that a difficult path still lies before them. I told both that a settlement will require flexibility from all sides if there is to be a genuine chance of success. A solution must be found. We will continue to discuss the prospects for a settlement with all the parties in the weeks ahead.

Some people look at the difficulties we confront in the late twentieth century and long for the certainties of the Cold War. These people do not recall clearly how dangerous and unyielding that era was. The antagonisms of the past led to a great deal of suffering in this century.

Now that the Cold War is over, we must work to ensure that conflicts between European nations do not make us lose sight of our more important objectives. Together, we can move beyond poverty, uncertainty and violence. If we are strong and united in our determination to resolve disputes and prevent conflict, we can build a democratic and prosperous Europe.

Nowhere is this so true as in relations between Greece and Turkey. Both countries have a great deal to contribute to the new Europe -- and regional peace and growth would make great contributions to help them successfully meet the challenges they face at home.

It is time to seize the unprecedented opportunity before us, to overcome the suspicions of the past, and to consolidate the identity of Western culture, in which Greek contributions continue to play such an enduring role. We can and must build a Europe of sovereign, equal democracies, united with each other and America by shared values and institutions. With the participation of people like Theodoros Pangalos, I am confident that we will succeed.

Thank you very much.