Greece, 1998

I wish first to extend to the

President my warm congratulations on his assumption of

the conduct of the current session. Uruguay has indeed a

major role to play in international developments, both at

the regional and the international level.

I also wish to congratulate the current President?s

predecessor, Mr. Udovenko, for his performance during

the fifty-second session. My congratulations and support

are also addressed to Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who

has deployed enormous efforts not only to keep United

Nations services running, but also to further enhance their

efficiency through the ongoing reform process. His

political skills have been demonstrated in settling disputes

which threaten international peace and security.

The Austrian Foreign Minister delivered a statement

on behalf of the European Union to which my

Government fully subscribes. I would like to elaborate

further on some particular issues.

27

Greece consistently endeavours for peace and

security — security in political and socio-economic terms,

security through human dignity and through international

law and order.

In that spirit, Greece welcomes the establishment by

the Rome Conference of an International Criminal Court.

We hope that the Preparatory Committee, to convene

in the wake of the Conference, will decisively tackle the

remaining definition aspects of the crime of aggression.

Greece considers disarmament and non-proliferation to

be guarantees of international peace. In the nuclear field,

we welcome two significant developments: the signing of

the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and the

decision reached in Geneva to negotiate a treaty banning

the production of fissile materials for nuclear weapons and

other explosive nuclear devices.

My country shares the general concern about nuclear

tests. We also concur with the general recommendations on

the issue, namely, adherence to the comprehensive test ban

and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear

Weapons, as well as compliance with the international

rules. Bacteriological and toxin weapons, known as the

nuclear weapons of the poor, remain a threat to humanity.

Reinforcement of the relevant Convention remains an

urgent priority.

The Ottawa Treaty on anti-personnel landmines made

history by totally banning their use. We urge those

countries, particularly in the sensitive south-eastern

European area, that have yet to accede to this Treaty to

seriously consider the humanitarian aspect of this exercise

and act accordingly.

Peacekeeping plays a major role in staving off crises.

Greece has taken an active part in a wide range of United

Nations operations, such as the United Nations Iraq-Kuwait

Observation Mission, and in the Western Sahara, in

Georgia, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as in the

United Nations humanitarian mission in Iraq and Operation

ALBA in Albania. Greece also provides annually a

significant financial contribution to the United Nations

Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus.

The United Nations needs adequate resources and

means in order to carry out its mandate. Greece has

voluntarily accepted a higher percentage in the scale of

assessments and pays its contributions to the Organization

in full and on time.

Combating drugs is a high political priority for the

Greek Government. Greece closely followed the

proceedings of the General Assembly?s special session on

the international drug problem. Last June, my country?s

commitment in the fight against drugs was reflected in its

chairing the regional Dublin Group formation for the

Balkans and the near Middle East.

From its establishment, the modern Greek State has

proclaimed that no discrimination based on colour, race

or ethnic origin would be tolerated on its territory, while

the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all

individuals who set foot on it would be fully protected.

We have made a tradition of adhering to, implementing

and supporting compliance with the human rights norms

set by United Nations instruments and major conventions.

The restructuring and new membership of the

Security Council rightly elicit our attention. The

enlargement of the Security Council should be based both

on the criteria of the United Nations Charter and on the

ongoing realities. We understand that major regional

organizations, such as the European Union, the Non-

Aligned Movement, the Arab League, the Organization of

American States, the Organization of African Unity, the

Organization of the Islamic Conference, the Southern

African Development Community, the South Pacific

Forum and other important forums have a special

responsibility in identifying those countries which, by

evident commitment to principles enshrined in the

Charter, may further subscribe and contribute to its goals.

On the other hand, 53 years after the signing of the

United Nations Charter in San Francisco, we have to

acknowledge the new realities, such as the collapse of the

bipolar system and the emergence of new stabilizing

factors all over the world.

The future of this body of countries with limited

membership, regardless of their geographical location or

ideological orientation, calls for our consideration. We

hope that a renewed effort of the Open-ended Working

Group, under your guidance, Sir, will eventually reach a

compromise solution.

Concerning the world economy, I share the view that

globalization presents us with an array of opportunities

and potential benefits. Nevertheless, it also entails

increased risks. The international community has to make

full use of the international financial institutions and

instruments to weather crises and respond to the

28

challenges of globalization. No effort should be spared to

help developing countries, and in particular the least

developed among them, to avoid marginalization through

globalization.

Two very important aspects of the effort to better

integrate developing countries into the world economy merit

our consideration: first, the rapid and determined extension

of debt relief, within the terms of the Heavily Indebted

Poor Countries Debt Initiative; and secondly, improved

market access so that developing countries can effectively

benefit from the trade opportunities that the Uruguay Round

offers. In this respect, financing for development assistance

remains an additional element of paramount importance.

In the field of environment and sustainable

development, Greece supports the work of the appropriate

United Nations Commission. The significance of this forum

invites me to recall a grave problem: the threat to the

environment resulting from the expansion of nuclear-power

production plants, particularly when they are located in

areas subject to earthquakes, neighbouring sea traffic and

inadequate infrastructure. In addition, we are deeply

concerned by the increasing stockpiling of nuclear wastes

and shipments of radioactive materials, threatening the lives

and properties of developing countries? populations, in

particular those of the vast South Pacific area.

Turning to my country?s presence in regional

organizations, may I recall the active role played by Greece

in the Council of Europe through the Committee of

Ministers, which it currently chairs. Among the issues on

its agenda, I note the European Court of Human Rights,

which will enhance the protection of human rights at the

European level.

In the Organization for Security and Cooperation in

Europe, Greece is involved in every effort aimed at

promoting the notion of comprehensive security. With

regard to activities in the human dimension, I simply

mention my country?s contribution in the field of elections

observation.

Greece was happy to attend, as a guest, the twelfth

Non-Aligned Movement summit held recently in Durban,

South Africa. Its keynote was clearly the shape and scope

that a movement born in a bipolar, confrontational world

could claim in the coming millennium, ushered in by

globalization. The message of the Durban declaration

deserves our attention and consideration.

A year has elapsed since I expressed in this very

forum the hope that Turkey would finally abandon its

intransigent policies on Cyprus. It has proven to be a vain

hope. This was a year of stagnation and frustration.

Frustrated have been the efforts of Secretary-General Kofi

Annan and his Special Adviser, Mr. Cordovez, to

relaunch the intercommunal talks. Special envoys from

several countries, including members of the Security

Council, hoping to unblock the situation, came back

frustrated from Ankara and the occupied part of Cyprus.

Frustrated remain the hopes of the European Union to

bring the Turkish Cypriot together with the Greek Cypriot

in a prosperous State of Cyprus that is a member of the

European family.

The reaction from Ankara, obediently echoed by the

Turkish Cypriot leadership, has been one of harsh

rejection, either in terms of a flat negation or by imposing

conditions tantamount to cancelling what has been desired

by the international community, prescribed by United

Nations resolutions and even accepted by the Turkish

Cypriot leadership itself.

Such an attitude of rejection is easily explained by

the notorious designs of the Turkish Government to effect

the partition of Cyprus. Mr. Ecevit, Deputy Prime

Minister of Turkey, has on several occasions said that the

Cyprus question was resolved once and for all by his

country?s armed forces? invasion in 1974. Twenty-four

years after the invasion, Cyprus remains a divided island

and the Turkish occupation forces increase their presence

and weaponry, even denying their victims the right to

effectively defend themselves. Twenty-four years is

enough. It is time for the international community to

strongly support the Secretary-General in fulfilling his

mandate of bringing the two communities to the

negotiating table to initiate a dialogue on gradual

disarmament towards the complete demilitarization of the

island.

Greece wishes to establish good-neighbourly

relations with Turkey, based on the principles of

international law and respect for international treaties.

The International Court of Justice at The Hague,

whose compulsory jurisdiction has been accepted by

Greece, is the appropriate legal forum for the settlement

of problems in our relations. A positive response by

Turkey to that effect would constitute a step towards the

beginning of a new period of mutual understanding.

29

Greece pursues a policy promoting stability, good-

neighbourly relations, cooperation and economic

development in South-Eastern Europe. We participate in

international projects or take our own initiatives, in the

context of bilateral or multilateral schemes. We offer troops

and counselling, funds and food. Greece offers to its

neighbours and the region a much needed feeling of trust

and security.

My country accords a high priority to our relations

with Albania. We welcome the efforts of the Albanian

Government to further pursue the process of normalization

of democratic institutions and its close cooperation with the

international community. Greece considers it its duty to

stand by Albania in its efforts to overcome the serious

difficulties it faces.

In the neighbouring Federal Republic of Yugoslavia,

and more particularly in the area of Kosovo, the situation

has reached a critical point. The vicious circle of the use of

force must be halted. The refugees and displaced persons

must be allowed to return to their homes safely, without

delay. Greece has sent humanitarian assistance to alleviate

the plight of the refugees in northern Albania. We welcome

the setting up of the Albanian negotiating group, and

support the immediate start of negotiations with a view to

arriving, as soon as possible, at a peaceful and negotiated

solution on the future autonomy status of Kosovo, within

the internationally recognized borders of the Federal

Republic of Yugoslavia. Terrorist acts and indiscriminate

and disproportionate repression are unacceptable. Greece

has actively participated, and will actively participate, in all

international efforts aimed at securing a peaceful solution

in Kosovo.

In Bosnia, Greece notes with satisfaction the progress

achieved so far in the implementation of the Dayton Peace

Agreement. We maintain close relations with the Bosnian

parties and offer substantial contributions to efforts aimed

at ensuring the stability and development of this country.

Greek soldiers participate in the Stabilization Force (SFOR)

as well as in international observer missions. Important

programmes undertaken by the Greek Government in the

framework of the donors conference, held in 1997, are

about to be completed.

In our relations with Bulgaria, the former Yugoslav

Republic of Macedonia and Romania, the promotion of

mutually beneficial cooperation in all fields is of paramount

importance.

In the multilateral field, Greece is committed to, and

actively involved in, such regional schemes as the South-

Eastern Europe cooperation process, the Royaumont

Initiative, the South-East Europe Cooperative Initiative

and the Black Sea Economic Cooperation. We note with

satisfaction that South-Eastern Europe leaders will meet

again this year in Antalya, Turkey, thus consolidating the

process we initiated last year in Crete.

In the Middle East, the present stagnation underlines

the urgent need to reactivate the peace process. Its revival

will bring hope for peace and prosperity. Once more, we

stress the need for full implementation of the relevant

United Nations resolutions and agreements, and we urge

the parties to make every effort to achieve real peace,

which should be a just, lasting and global peace. Greece

welcomes any endeavour likely to produce positive

results, while supporting the initiatives undertaken by the

European Union?s special envoy in the Middle East.

Successful meetings organized by the special envoy and

the Greek Government bring together prominent Israelis

and Palestinians in a conciliatory spirit. These meetings

will, hopefully, be institutionalized as the “Athens

Dialogue for Peace and Cooperation in the Middle East”.

The Mediterranean remains our life companion. We

have been the pioneers for the adoption of a European

Union Mediterranean policy, accompanied by the Euro-

Mediterranean Partnership (MEDA) regulation, through

which financial aid to the countries concerned is

considerably increased.

The African continent is an emerging reality that

will affect the future of humanity. However, progress in

the fields of political pluralism and economic stabilization

has been coupled, over the course of the last year, with

regression in the form of ruinous civil wars or border

conflicts in a number of African countries. The

international community should stand by the African

nations and their organizations on the eve of the twenty-

first century, advocating the need for good-neighbourly

relations and, within the countries themselves, democratic

rule, respect for human rights and an open market

economy.

Greece shares the general concern about the

developments in Asia. The financial turmoil is by no

means settled. Indeed, it is still sending disturbing

vibrations through the European and world economies.

Asia can, however, overcome the crisis. Allowing external

or internal tensions to drag on, with the prospect of

escalation, obviously spells future disaster, in terms of

30

chasing or scaring foreign investment out of the area and of

funnelling precious funds to such dangerous and vain

projects as the production of weapons of mass destruction.

Greece follows closely and contributes actively to the

historical process of eastern European countries?

reintegration into the European system. Our political credo

and vision is that of a Europe without dividing lines and

scars from the past. In this context, Greece supports the

enlargement of the European Union with the 10 candidate

countries of Central and Eastern Europe, together with

Cyprus, advocating the simultaneous launching of a global

and inclusive accession process with all candidate countries.

Greece also extends its institutional links and promotes

its historical, economic and cultural ties with the Russian

Federation and the Ukraine and the other newly

independent States in the Caucasus, Black Sea and Central

Asia.

Our excellent relations with the United States and

Canada are further enhanced through political and military

cooperation in peacemaking initiatives and peacekeeping

activities in South-Eastern Europe, as well as cooperation

in preventing and eliminating terrorism. Furthermore,

Greece, as a member of the European Union, stands for a

broad transatlantic dialogue and the advancement of the

New Trans-Atlantic Agenda.

Greece has traditional ties of friendship with the

countries of Latin America, and, both bilaterally and as a

member of the European Union, systematically supports

ongoing, comprehensive dialogue and cooperation with

them.

Until very recently Greece had been a recipient of

development assistance, but for three years now we have

been an important contributor, equal to the standards of the

Development Assistance Committee of the Organisation for

Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). We may

not be such a wealthy country, but we are trying to grant

effective and qualitative assistance to those interested in it

and in need of it, using our experience to make this as

beneficial as possible, supporting the struggle against

poverty and famine and for economic and social

development, and also trying to help promote human rights,

democracy and institutions of civil society.

I would like also to refer briefly to an issue which is

of particular concern to my country, the Olympic Games.

Inspired by the Olympic Ideal, Greece presented on 4

February 1998 to the International Olympic Committee in

Nagano, Japan, a comprehensive proposal outlining a set

of organizational structures and a broad range of activities

aimed at the practical realization of an Olympic Truce at

the Athens Games of 2004 and at the strengthening of the

role of the Olympic Movement. In order to support these

important activities, Greece proposed the establishment of

an international centre for the Olympic Truce, at the very

site of ancient Olympia.

Further, Greece took the initiative and proposed the

creation of a cultural Olympics for the first time in

contemporary world. This would strengthen dialogue

among different cultures the world over. This proposal

was welcomed by the International Olympic Committee,

and preparatory work has already started between the

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural

Organization (UNESCO), the International Olympic

Committee and the Greek Government.

I would like to spare the delegates another pre-

electoral speech. As the Minister for Foreign Affairs of

the Netherlands preceded me, I had to scale down my

speech and become very modest, but I cannot avoid

referring to the candidacy of Greece for the 1999-2000

term for one of the two non-permanent seats allocated to

the Group of Western European and Other States on the

Security Council.

My Government has legitimate and justified

ambitions for requesting the support of United Nations

member countries to such a distinction. Our long-standing

foreign policy is dedicated to world peace and security, to

the trend of decolonization and self-determination, to

assisting developing and less developed countries and to

respect for international law and human rights.

We condemn terrorism in all its forms.

We are in favour of the independence, sovereignty

and territorial integrity of all United Nations Member

States and of the implementation of the provisions of the

United Nations Charter, including the democratic principle

of fair and balanced representation of all Member States

in the various organs and agencies of the United Nations.

I would like to draw the honourable delegates?

attention to this last principle. In the Western European

Group, a situation is occurring in which very few

members — five of them — have by now served during

44 of the 52 years of this Organization?s existence. Small

and average-sized countries should also have a chance to

be present on the Security Council, and I am proud to

31

represent one of those average-sized countries, as I propose

my country?s candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the

Security Council.