Read about the latest solution that the Greek Prime Minister has put forth...I believe this is the BEST and most practical solution tabled so far [please hold accusations for being prejudiced...I am<g.]
As far as accusations of Greece not being supportive of Nato I have made clear what is the public opinion and how difficult is for the current govt to walk a very fine line. Read the very last sentence of this news release...Isn't the Greek Prime Minister sleek or what?
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Simitis unveils initiative for peaceful settlement, 'day-after' in
Balkans
Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday unveiled the framework of a Greek
initiative aimed at a peaceful settlement of the crisis in war-torn
Kosovo.
Speaking after a five-hour inner cabinet meeting, Mr. Simitis said a
political solution must be found as quickly as possible, involving a
cessation of hostilities, the withdrawal of Serbian army forces from Kosovo,
the safe return of refugees to their h omes and the deployment in the
Yugoslav province of an international peacekeeping force.
The mission of the peacekeeping force, he added, should be legalised on the
basis of a wide-ranging UN Security Council act.
Mr. Simitis said Greece supports proposals and initiatives for a peaceful
solution formulated by EU member-states (Germany and other). Additionally,
it has proposed a set of principles which along with the Rambouillet talks
could possibly serve as the f ramework for talks aimed at resolving the
Kosovo crisis, with respect for existing borders, human and minority rights,
acceptance of the principle of the peaceful settlement of disputes and
cooperation to secure democracy and development.
The premier said the Greek proposal would be put to NATO and the European
Union so as to take the shape of an initiative which would unfold on three
levels.
The three levels at which Greece will promote its policy for a settlement
to the crisis include:
- At international organisations of which Greece is a member of, such as
NATO and the European Union, with the promotion of initiatives, support for
proposals and the seeking of opportunities for a political handling of the
crisis.
- At the Balkan level, with intensification of efforts to shape a common
approach and common initiatives. This effort includes holding a summit for
Balkan countries in Athens.
- At the wider international level, aiming at the greatest possible
participation in the political process for finding a solution of the UN and
the OSCE, as well as Russia.
At the present time, Mr. Simitis said, Greece has shaped a wider network of
exchanging views, shaping proposals, exercising influence and undertaking
initiatives in the direction of a speedy and effective solution to the
crisis and the avoidance of its escalation with particularly painful human
consequences.
Greece believes it is necessary, immediately after the end of military
operations, that the materialisation of an overall "Balkan Stabilisation
and Development Plan" should go ahead immediately, he said. This plan,
which the Greek government has already processed, has five axes:
- The economic development of the Balkan region with a package of measures
and initiatives which will compose a kind of "Marshall Plan" for the
region.
- Democratisation of the region with measures aimed at building and
consolidating democratic institutions, the strengthening of the citizens'
society and protection for individual and minority rights.
- Establishment of a conflict-resolving mechanism as part of the "Stability
Accord" which will guarantee the inviolability of borders.
- Promotion, intensification and initiation of interregional cooperation
with the participation of all the countries in the region as a step towards
the region's full incorporation in the European architecture and the
European institutional system.
- Recognition of the "eligibility" of all countries to join the European
Union, provided they fulfill the necessary political and economic
preconditions.
Mr. Simitis said the Greek government's plan will be submitted to the
European Union and, combined with a "stability accord" proposed for the
region by Germany, will constitute the EU's new approach to the Balkans.
"Greece has already developed intense activity in handling humanitarian
problems related to refugees. It will decisively widen its humanitarian
action and presence with a series of measures such as:
"The development of infrastructure works for refugees by the armed
forces.
"The provision of humanitarian aid in regions, Kosovo and Montenegro, which
present special access problems.
"The Greek government is planning a wide conference in Athens focusing on
humanitarian aid. The conference will be attended by all the countries
involved, as well as agencies, to facilitate the more effective handling of
problems of a humanitarian chara cter. The confe-rence will also examine
the economic aspects and consequences of the crisis.
"The Greek government, with the initiatives, actions and measures it is
promoting for the region, is promoting Greece as a decisive factor in a
political solution to the crisis and the creation of conditions for 'viable
stability' in the Balkans," he ad ded.
Mr. Simitis warned that the Kosovo crisis posed a threat for the entire
region. He said political action must be taken aimed at some solution,
since the situation was alarming.
Replying to reporters' questions, Mr. Simitis acknowledged that no firm
decisions were taken at the informal EU summit in Brussels earlier this
week, but he said there had been "a change of climate".
He expressed pessimism about whether next week's NATO summit in Washington
would bring any positive results.
The Greek PM reiterated that Greek forces would not be involved in NATO
actions in Yugoslavia, but that "it will send forces where it judges they
should be sent."
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