Greece, 1994

Allow me at the outset to

extend to Mr. Amara Essy the warmest congratulations of

the Greek Government on his election to the presidency of

the forty-ninth session of the General Assembly. We are

particularly pleased that his presence this year will provide

the African States, with which Greece maintains excellent

relations, with a further opportunity to make an essential

contribution to the successful outcome of our work. I

would also like to thank Ambassador Insanally for the

constructive and efficient manner in which he performed

his duties as President of the General Assembly during its

forty-eighth session.

I wish to take this opportunity to address sincere

congratulations to the Secretary-General of the United

Nations, Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, who is striving with

courage, energy, political will, vision and perspicacity for

a new world, a world in which law and ethics will prevail,

and for the restructuring of the Organization to enable it to

meet the challenges of our time. He has our full support in

his efforts to fulfil his mission.

The Foreign Minister of Germany, in his capacity as

President of the Council of the European Union, delivered

a statement yesterday on behalf of the European Union and

its member States. My Government subscribes to its

content. However, I should like to address some issues of

particular interest to Greece which, apart from the statement

of my German colleague, Klaus Kinkel, are further

elaborated in the European Union’s memorandum.

The United Nations is facing the challenges and

preoccupations of our times. And now, more than ever, it

must become the forum to which all those who are

suffering injustice will naturally resort, knowing that justice

will be done. To this end, it is the duty of all to abide by

the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, which

they have accepted of their own free will, and to observe

the rules, to the development and establishment of which

they have contributed. In this context, all must respect

United Nations resolutions, particularly those of the

Security Council, the body on which the international

community has conferred primary responsibility for the

maintenance of international peace and security. This is the

only way in which we can strengthen the moral stature of

the United Nations and contribute to the attainment of its

goals.

Bearing this in mind, we welcome and strongly

support the efforts of the Secretary-General in the area of

preventive diplomacy and the maintenance and promotion

of international peace and security, within a broader

framework which, in addition to the political and military

aspects, also has an economic and social dimension,

particularly with respect to the protection of human rights

and fundamental freedoms.

Respect for human rights constitutes one of the most

important factors for the maintenance of international

peace and security and must be regarded as a prerequisite

for development in all areas and for democratic existence.

The Vienna World Conference on Human Rights was an

important milestone, as was the establishment of the post

of High Commissioner for Human Rights, whose mandate

we fully support, and the mission of the Centre for

Human Rights. The principles of the Universal

Declaration of Human Rights and the Vienna Declaration

and Programme of Action, as well as other international

acts and instruments, should guide the actions of all

Member States on a daily basis.

The international community is called upon to

confront many problems among the Members of the

Organization. Fortunately, considerable progress has been

achieved during the past year with regard to some of

them.

I should like first to refer to the case of the Middle

East. Greece, a neighbouring country and a traditional

friend of the peoples in the region, is particularly pleased

by the continuous and promising steps taken recently to

strengthen peace and security and to arrive at satisfactory

arrangements for the Palestinian people, steps which will

open up prospects for a final, generally acceptable,

settlement of the long-lasting Middle East crisis.

The other case I should like to mention is that of the

restoration of democracy in South Africa. Who would

not agree that the peaceful change achieved in that

country by leaders such as President Mandela and

Vice-President De Klerk, is an example to follow? This

change was made possible, however, only because both

men had the will to abolish the system of apartheid and

to establish a democracy based on tolerance and respect

for human rights.

In both cases Greece did its utmost to contribute to

the successful outcome of the efforts pursued to achieve

these results.

23

However, during the same period of time, mankind

has had to endure crises which have caused incalculable

loss of human life and tremendous suffering.

Unfortunately, there are many such examples that could be

mentioned in Africa, Asia, Central America and Europe.

Rwanda, whose tragedy borders on genocide, is one of the

most telling cases. Greece, as a member of the European

troika, took part in a mission of the European Union to

Rwanda and its neighbouring countries, in order to assist in

the task of finding solutions to this tragic political conflict

and to the problem of the refugees.

As a representative of a Balkan country that has a

primary interest in stability in the Balkans, and contributes

decisively to its consolidation, I will now refer specifically

to the conflict in the former Yugoslavia, which continues to

be a source of serious concern to the international

community, and to European countries in particular.

In spite of the major efforts of the international

community, war is raging in the region for the fourth

consecutive year. The victims on all sides are countless

and the number of refugees is increasing dramatically.

Greece actively participates in all international

peace-making efforts. During the first part of this year

when Greece held the presidency of the European Union,

my country undertook a series of initiatives, aimed at

arriving at a political solution of the conflict through

negotiations.

The proposals of the contact group constitute a

realistic basis for a settlement and must be accepted by the

Bosnian Serb side as well. President Milosevic’s decisive

stance vis-à-vis the Bosnian Serbs strengthens this

approach, and we hope that it will lead the Bosnian Serbs

to accept the peace plan. In this context, we welcome

Security Council resolutions 942 (1994) and 943 (1994).

The concentration of efforts aimed at ending the war

in Bosnia and Herzegovina does not mean that less

attention should be paid to a solution of the problem of the

Krajinas, nor that its importance should be underestimated.

Greece is willing to contribute actively to the

rapprochement of the parties involved, so that a mutually

acceptable settlement might be achieved.

We have, however, inherited yet another problem since

the dissolution of the former Yugoslavia, that of the Former

Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. It lies in the fact that

the new State insists on calling itself "Macedonia". The

Greek people and the Greek Government cannot accept this

denomination because, together with provisions of the

Constitution of Skopje, of the Former Yugoslav Republic

of Macedonia, the propaganda against our country, as

well as the appropriation of Greek national and historical

emblems on their flag, it indicates irredentist claims

against Greece. We hope that the good offices of Mr.

Vance, on the basis of Security Council resolution 817

(1993), and the ensuing negotiating process within which

Greece has demonstrated its good will and constructive

approach, will soon bear fruit.

Another serious international and European problem,

which is of considerable interest to the United Nations,

the European Union and Greece in particular and which,

unfortunately, remains unsolved, is that of Cyprus. More

than 20 years after the Turkish invasion of Cyprus and 20

years after this body, in this very Hall, demanded the

immediate withdrawal of all foreign occupation troops, a

considerable part of Cyprus is still under occupation.

Basic human rights are still being violated, and the

tragedy of the refugees and of the missing and enclaved

persons persists. Furthermore, in spite of the relevant

United Nations resolutions, the mass establishment of

Turkish settlers continues unabated, thus distorting the

demographic composition of the island.

The Secretary-General, in his latest report to the

Security Council, unequivocally acknowledged that it is

the lack of political will of the Turkish Cypriot side that,

over a number of years, has impeded any progress in the

peace process. In spite of the many face-saving efforts

being made, the Secretary-General’s conclusion cannot be

questioned. But even if some would wish to deliberately

hide from the truth, the recent decision of the Turkish

Cypriots, which rejects the very basis for a settlement -

namely the Federation - that had been agreed and sought

from the start, as well as the unequivocal and

unconditional support that this decision received from

Ankara, revealed the true Turkish sentiments and

objectives: contempt for the United Nations resolutions

and the preservation of illegally acquired territories

following the invasion and the occupation.

There can be no doubt that this Turkish attitude of

provocation is supported by the Turkish military presence

on the island, which has gone unpunished for so many

years. That is the reason why we believe that the efforts

of the international community should focus, as a matter

of priority, on the withdrawal of the Turkish occupying

troops. In this context, President Clerides’ fair and

balanced proposal for the demilitarization of Cyprus

should be duly taken into consideration.

24

The Secretary-General’s recent efforts are in progress,

and we are awaiting their results. However, mere verbal

support by the international community for the Secretary--

General’s initiative will not suffice. The time has come to

assist the Secretary-General with concrete actions aimed at

Ankara, which is, of course, the key factor for

developments in Cyprus. If, however, those efforts are not

successful, as has happened in other cases, the international

community will have to consider new, alternative methods

and measures that will ensure the implementation of United

Nations resolutions calling for the restoration of the

sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of the Republic

of Cyprus, together with respect for the rights and freedoms

of all its citizens.

The strengthening of good-neighbourly relations on the

basis of respect for international law, national sovereignty,

human rights and non-intervention in the internal affairs of

other States is the cornerstone of Greek foreign policy. The

implementation of those principles bears particular

importance with regard to the relations between Greece and

its neighbours. In this context, it is the sincere wish of the

Greek Government that relations between Greece and

Turkey be normalized.

It goes without saying that such a normalization of

Greek-Turkish relations presupposes a just and lasting

solution to the Cyprus problem and the restoration of the

rule of international law with regard to Cyprus. Moreover,

respect for international law and human rights, in

conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United

Nations, the Helsinki Final Act and the Charter of Paris, is

the only possible basis for the establishment and

consolidation of a climate of mutual trust between Greece

and Turkey.

Greece abides by the same principles in its foreign

policy towards Albania. We aspire, through a dialogue

which we have repeatedly sought, to the development of

good-neighbourly relations and cooperation in all areas,

within a framework of mutual respect for territorial

integrity and national sovereignty and of the unconditional

implementation of international instruments that safeguard

respect for human rights.

Ample evidence of this policy is provided by the

extensive and multifaceted economic and humanitarian

assistance that my country has extended to Albania in

recent years, in support of that country’s reconstruction

following a long period of totalitarian rule and in support

of its economy by various means, including, inter alia, the

massive flow of remittances from illegal Albanian

immigrants, hundreds of thousands of whom live and

work illegally in Greece.

On the other hand, the large Greek minority in

Albania had been deprived by the previous regime of all

its fundamental rights and had hoped that a change in

Government would lead to a change in their conditions.

Unfortunately, however, the new Albanian Government

has pursued the same policies of its predecessors.

Members of the minority are persecuted, and many

internationally recognized fundamental human and

minority rights are being violated in practice and not

admitted to, in spite of the verbal assurances to the

contrary of the Albanian Government. This is the case,

for instance, in the field of education, with which the

High Commissioner for National Minorities of the

Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, Mr.

Van Der Stoel, with whom the Greek Government is

harmoniously cooperating, has been especially concerned.

The oppressive policy of the Albanian Government

has culminated in the harsh sentences delivered against

five leading members of the Greek minority, after a

parody of investigation and judicial procedure, as

witnessed by unprejudiced observers from international

organizations. All the above justifies the impression that

the Albanian leadership is promoting a climate of

harassment against the Greek minority, so as to force its

members to abandon their ancestral homes.

Greece reaffirms that, as it has assured the

Secretary-General, it sincerely favours the development of

good-neighbourly relations and constructive cooperation

with Albania, and calls on the Albanian Government, in

conformity with its international commitments, to respect

the human rights and the individual freedoms of the

Greek minority, so as to create the conditions necessary

to ensure the development of such relations.

There are many other problems on which I would

like to express the views of my country. However, time

is limited and I will constrain myself to addressing those

we deem particularly important.

Significant and daring steps have been taken in the

area of disarmament. In spite of the end of the

confrontation between East and West, however, arms

control and disarmament remain issues of primary

importance due to the appearance of new sources of

tension which jeopardize our efforts towards the

non-proliferation of arms.

25

The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear

Weapons (NPT) has played an important role to this day,

and we believe that its unconditional and unlimited

extension at the coming Conference of 1995 will further

strengthen the overall legal status of non-proliferation.

We also hope that negotiations for a comprehensive

nuclear-test-ban treaty will soon yield positive results.

Moreover, Greece hopes to contribute to the entry into

force of the Convention on the Prohibition of the

Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical

Weapons at the earliest possible date by promoting without

delay the relevant ratification procedures.

Furthermore, my country is deeply concerned about

the problem of the increasing presence of mines and other

unexploded devices and has decided to declare a

moratorium, without exception, on the export, sale or

transfer of all anti-personnel land-mines. We call on all

States to adopt similar measures.

It is time to accelerate and strengthen multilateral

negotiations in the area of disarmament. The international

community should prove that it is ready and willing to take

the steps which will bring about practical solutions to the

problem of disarmament and international security. We

believe that an increase of the membership of the

Conference on Disarmament in Geneva would greatly

contribute to that end.

In addition, special attention should be given to the

African continent, not only regarding the settlement of

political disputes between various States but also with

regard to the establishment of the necessary political,

economic and social conditions for the restoration of peace

and security and the improvement of the economic situation

in all African countries.

The United Nations rightly places special emphasis on

the economic and social fields, which are so essential to

peaceful coexistence among peoples. We must all

thoroughly consider the Agenda for Development and

attempt to find a way for developing countries to benefit

from the achievements of industrialized States. We must

work together to find a new form of economic relations,

taking into account the difficulties with which we are all

confronted.

The International Conference on Population and

Development which has just taken place in Cairo, the

forthcoming World Summit for Social Development, in

Copenhagen, in March 1995, and the Fourth World

Conference on Women, in Beijing, in September 1995, as

well as all the other meetings that took place last year on

economic and social issues, are paving the way in the

right direction.

Moreover, I feel it necessary to underline the

importance that Greece attaches to the struggle against the

international scourge of terrorism. My country

unequivocally condemns all terrorist acts and actively

contributes - working within the framework of close

cooperation with third countries and competent

international organizations - to all actions and efforts

aimed at their elimination. However, I want to stress that

economic and social development, safeguarding the rule

of law and respect for human rights and individual

freedoms are the most efficient and radical means to do

away, once and for all, with this international scourge.

In concluding, I would like to express my country’s

interest in the future development of the institutional

aspects of the Organization, in particular with regard to

the Security Council, and to stress that Greece is willing

to contribute actively to the consultations currently under

way on these issues so as to achieve the best possible

result for all Members of the United Nations.

In the same spirit, I would like to reaffirm Greece’s

full and unwavering commitment to the purposes and

principles of the Organization within the context of

international cooperation and solidarity. We undertake to

contribute with all our means to the struggles and efforts

to create lasting conditions that will ensure, at the dawn

of the next millennium, that all peoples fully enjoy the

benefits of freedom and development within a peaceful,

democratic and creative environment.