Latest is that Clinton is cutting down the duration of his trip to Greece to 24 hours from 3 days...
The summary of the news release below (before the revised schedule): the same crap Clinton said about Greece and Turkey is repeated...again and again. And this is too funny:
"From what I know about the tradition of demonstrations in Greece, I don't believe that anyone could prevent that. And you know, we fully - as the president said this morning...expect people will express their views, whether they are in support of the president or whether they are those who want to articulate an agenda different. I mean, we fully understand there are those on the left in Greece who were unhappy with our role and NATO's role in Kosovo. They've made that quite clear. I expect they'll make it clear while we're there," Mr. Lockhart said.
NO Mr. Lockhart, there are those on the left, right, center, top and bottom who were very unhappy with the US role and Nato's role in Kosovo...
Incidentally, I am traveling to Greece for a short trip and I will be in Athens when Clinton is there. I am flying Lufthansa just in case:)
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From the Athens News Agency
Clinton says normalisation of Greek-Turkish relations onne of his top European priorities
WASHINGTON, 10/11/1999 (ANA - T. Ellis)
US President Bill Clinton stressed yesterday that normalising Greek-Turkish relations is one of Washington's three priorities in Europe.
The US leader was speaking at Georgetown University outside Washington D.C. late Monday evening regarding US foreign policy for Europe during the last 14
months of his administration.
Referring to the framework of events marking the 10th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, Mr. Clinton said his other two priorities are cooperation with Russia
and stability in the Balkans.
Mentioning Greece and Turkey, he said "a third challenge, and probably the most difficult, is building a permanent peace in the region of the Aegean, the achievement
of real reconciliation between Greece and Turkey and bridging the distance between Europe and the world of Islam."
"When I will be in Greece, I will speak of the vital role Greece is playing and can play in Europe," he said, adding that "the oldest democracy in the world is a model
for the newest democracies in the Balkans, entry into their markets, a force for stab ility in the region. The only thing standing between Greece and its real capabilities
is tension in its relationship with Turkey. It is ironic that Greece and Turkey are both our allies in NATO and allies of each other. They have served together in the
Balkans in an excellent way. Their peoples showed great humanity and helped each other when destructive earthquakes struck the two countries recently. This
problem can be resolved. It will ultimately be resolved and I intend to do all I can to help."
Mr. Clinton further said "the future will be shaped for the better if Turkey is able to become an integral part of Europe as a stable, democratic, secular islamic nation.
And this can be done if there is progress towards overcoming differences with Gree ce, particularly with regard to Cyprus, if Turkey continues to strengthen respect
for human rights and if there is a vital vision on the part of our European allies who should be prepared to go ahead with an opening and believe that in Turkey
Europe and the Islamic world can meet peacefully and harmoniously, giving us an opportunity to implement the future of our dreams in this part of the world in the
new millennium."
Clinton: No concerns over protests : Mr. Clinton also stressed yesterday he feels no concern regarding anti-American demonstrations expected during his visit to
Greece over the weekend.
"I expect demonstrations to take place. This does not make me feel concerned and I think there will be no problem on security issues," Mr. Clinton told reporters
when asked to comment on anti-American demonstrations in Athens over the past few days.
"I am well aware that Greece has a long and rich tradition of demonstrations by anarchists, communists and leftists. All these people disagree, as you know, with me
over my policy in Kosovo. But the United States and Greece are allies, not only in the ranks of NATO but in other important sectors as well," President Clinton
stated.
White House on press speculation : In a related development, White House spokesman Joe Lockhart dioscounted speculation that the US president will not head to
Athens after all, saying that "the president will travel to Greece."
Regarding details of the visit, Mr. Lockhart said "I'll let you know the schedule as soon as it's given to me" and that "tomorrow we'll make an announcement on the
exact schedule of the trip."
"From what I know about the tradition of demonstrations in Greece, I don't believe that anyone could prevent that. And you know, we fully - as the president said
this morning...expect people will express their views, whether they are in support of the president or whether they are those who want to articulate an agenda
different. I mean, we fully understand there are those on the left in Greece who were unhappy with our role and NATO's role in Kosovo. They've made that quite
clear. I expect they'll make it clear while we're there," Mr. Lockhart said.
According to ANA dispatch from Paris, Greek leadership was reportedly satisfied with Mr. Clinton's remarks, citing especially the fact that press speculation over a
possible cancellation should now all but evaporate.
Sources said preparation of Mr. Clinton's itinerary while in Greece is proceeding normally, without that meaning, however, that last-minute changes for security
reasons can be ruled out.
US envoy on possible protests : Additionally, it was reported that US ambassador in Athens Nicholas Burns is concerned about the presence of protests outside the
embassy while Mr. Clinton is in Athens, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said.
Mr. Reppas, replying to reporters' questions as to whether Mr. Burns had asked the government to 'prevent' a march to the US embassy, said the envoy was
concerned about the presence of demonstrators outside the building while the US president was in Greece.
"It is a logical concern and nothing more," Mr. Reppas said.
Mr. Reppas said the US ambassador expressed concern that these demonstrations might overshadow the Clinton visit or "possibly" harm Greek-US relations.
Commenting on a recent US State Department announcement concerning possible anti-American protests, the government spokesman denied that this was a travel
advisory - which would warn tourists to avoid Greece - and underlined it was a public announcement on the part of US authorities.
"The US services are responding to real events," Mr. Reppas said.
The State Department public announcement, issued on Monday evening, warned Americans citizens residing in Greece and US visitors to the country to stay away
from areas where demonstrations are taking place, effective through Dec. 1.
The announcement said that "mid-November is usually a period of demonstrations in Greece on the anniversary of the 1973 students' uprising against the military
dictatorship".
"We have no information on specific threats against American citizens in Greece. But in recent weeks there have been several late-night terrorist bomb actions and
other attacks that caused damage to business concerns related to the US and concerns consi dered American," the State Department announcement read.
Transport plane : Meanwhile, a US Air Force 'Galaxy' transport plane landed at Athens airport yesterday loaded with material to be used in providing security for
Mr. Clinton during his stay in Greece.
Sources said the plane carried two helicopters and a large quantity of electronic equipment to be used by the US president's extensive security detail.
Another four helicopters are expected to shipped through the airport as well.
GSEE : Finally, the General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) has called on workers to participate in protest demonstrations on the occasion of Mr.
Clinton's visit.
GSEE will organise a photo and press exhibition focusing on what it calls the consequences of US policy in the Balkans and Cyprus, in cooperation with several
press unions and the Athens Bar Association.
GSEE has termed Mr. Clinton's visit a few days before the (November 17) Polytechnic anniversary "a provocation." |
