Athens, 21 August 2006

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Good morning.

As you know, a few days ago the Security Council adopted Resolution 1701. This Resolution is important for stability and peace in the Middle East region.

This Resolution is the first step in the re-establishment of stability and peace. The effort required for its full implementation is very important, as is respect for the agreement reached on cessation of hostilities.

This ceasefire remains fragile. So the stage we are currently at and the coming period are extremely critical. This is a critical stage for the diplomatic efforts that will be required for the implementation of Resolution 1701.

Beyond that, Greece is assuming the Presidency of the United Nations Security Council on September 1.

This is the basis for the decision taken by Foreign Minister Ms. Dora Bakoyannis to carry out a visit to the countries of the region, starting with the Republic of Cyprus – Nicosia – because the Republic of Cyprus played an exceptionally important role in  the first, critical hours and days of the crisis in Lebanon.

Cyprus’s contribution to the successful and timely handling, first, of the repatriation requests of all those who wanted to leave Lebanon, and later of the provision of humanitarian aid, was extremely important.

Ms. Bakoyannis will also visit Beirut, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and the capital of Jordan, Amman.

In these three countries she will have meetings with the political leadership. She will also meet with the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mr. Abbas. This meeting will take place in Amman, because the Central Committee of Fatah is currently meeting there.

For Greece’s part, the basic axes of this visit, upon which are based the positions to be articulated by the Foreign Ministry, are as follows:

·       The first priority is respect for the ceasefire. It is extremely important – vital – for it to be possible – through respect for the ceasefire – for the international community to be able to distribute humanitarian aid to the people in need.

·       Beyond that, particular emphasis will be put on the need for both sides to respect the recent resolution from the Security Council so that it can be fully and successfully implemented.

·       Another point of reference for Greece is that the government of Lebanon must be protected and supported. Only a strong Lebanese government can aid the diplomatic efforts to establish stability and peace.

·       Understanding for Israel’s security concerns.

·       Another important point of the Greek position is that there can be no permanent and stable peace in the region without the resolution of the Palestinian problem.

·       Finally, with regard to all of this, our view and position is that a comprehensive diplomatic effort is required; a comprehensive effort with broad participation.

We have made the reminder, and we have stressed in the past, that thinking along the lines of exclusion must not be maintained. Whoever can make a substantial contribution to the efforts to achieve stability and peace in the region should be able to participate.

That is the political framework, the political tone, of the visit that the Foreign Minister will pay from tomorrow, Tuesday, through Friday, to the Middle East region.

The details of the Minister’s visit will be announced to you as soon as they are finalised.

Other announcements:

Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Kassimis is in Cyprus to attend the proceedings of the meeting of the Presidium of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE), which is taking place today and tomorrow in Nicosia, leading up to the regional meetings of the new regions, which will lead to the Regular Meeting of the SAE early this December.

On Tuesday, Mr. Kassimis will honour, on behalf of the Greek government, at a special event to be held in Nicosia, the former foreign minister of Cyprus, Mr. Giorgios Iacovou, for his contribution over many years to Hellenism Abroad.

Also, this evening, Mr. Kassimis is to meet with Cypriot Foreign Minister Mr. Lillikas.

From 28 August to 8 September, Mr. Kassimis will be in Australia within the framework of his competencies.

I am at you disposal for any questions.

Journalist: First of all, regarding what you said, at the end you mentioned that there is a need for a comprehensive effort and broad participation by everyone. And you said there is no room for thinking along the lines of exclusion – anyone who can contribute must do so.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: They should be able to do so.

Journalist: Be able to, of course. Should I assume that this is Greece’s stance on Israel’s demand that no countries without diplomatic relations with Israel participate in the peacekeeping force being formed?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I need to make a clarification.

This reference was made with relation to the diplomatic effort. I made no reference to the composition of the international force that will reinforce UNIFIL. A firm point of reference for the Greek position is that anyone who can help should be allowed to participate in the diplomatic effort.

I referred to that, and not the peacekeeping force. Nor am I answering, via this stance, to statements or positions of the Israeli government.

This is the position that has been presented recently, up until now, and that we continue to support.

Journalist: Having received these clarifications, let me ask you two simple questions. First, why is Damascus not included in the itinerary? Syria is key to developments there – everyone says so. And the second question I want to ask is: Has the Greek government, the Greek Foreign Ministry, decided to recommend to the responsible government organs – I’m being very careful about what I’m saying – that they must participate and will participate in the peacekeeping force that is being put together?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Your first question: I think I need to make the reminder that about 10 days ago the Foreign Minister received, at the Foreign Ministry, the special envoy of the Syrian government, Information Minister Dr. Mohsen Bilal, and they had an in-depth discussion on developments in the region. I just want to make that reminder.

Beyond that, at this time emphasis must fall on those directly involved, who are being called upon to implement the Resolution. This is very important, and this will be, as I said, a basic point of reference for the positions that will be presented and articulated by the Greek Foreign Minister to her collocutors during these visits.

At this time, given that there was an extended exchange of views and in-depth discussion of developments in the region with the Syrian government’s special envoy, it was not deemed that Damascus should be included in this trip.

Regarding your second question, on the peacekeeping force, as you know, a number of issues regarding the nature of this force have yet to be clarified. For example, the “terms of reference”, the details of its operational structure, the rules of engagement. So there are important elements that are still being formulated.

There is already a brief report at the Security Council, submitted by the Secretary General regarding the force. It is a general report regarding the form of the international force, but the discussion is continuing. That’s it as to where we stand regarding the formulation of the force and its characteristics.

Beyond that, we have repeatedly said that we are willing to contribute to the efforts of the international community, so that long-term and stable peace can be achieved in the region.

It is from this perspective that potential participation in this force is being examined.

While the examination and assessment of the terms of reference for this force is continuing, Greece is inclined – and I stress this – inclined toward a contribution that consists basically of a Navy frigate, a helicopter, a specialised amphibious unit and personnel, a number of personnel that will contribute to the operation of the administrative headquarters of this mission.

I stress, again, that Greece is inclined in this direction. Whatever the case, the decision will be a government decision.

Journalist: Mr. Spokesman, I want to ask you whether there has been or will be telephone communication between the Foreign Minister, before she departs, and either her US counterpart or any of her European counterparts. And second, whether there is an assessment from the Greek government as to why there is this hesitation on the part of Europeans to send forces, and the about-face of the French government. Thank you.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Regarding you second question, you can see that I cannot make evaluations or assessments regarding the reactions of other states. Nor is this the issue.

As I said, we are at the stage of formulating and determining all of the characteristics of this force. So it is reasonable that governments who are willing to contribute or are seriously considering contributing should wait for the results of the discussions regarding the formulation of the force’s final terms of reference. That’s it regarding the stage we are at.

Regarding your first question, as far as I know, no such communication is on the Minister’s schedule. But I must say that, particularly regarding communication with her European counterparts, this is virtually a daily practice. So I can’t rule it out.

Journalist: (off microphone)

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: What I can say is that the Secretary General, in the report he submitted recently regarding the force, states that the will and objective of the UN is for this force to be in a state of operational readiness within 90 days.

Beyond that, I can also tell you, regarding your question – though I don’t think this answers it fully, but this is the data I have at this time – that by the end of the week, the EU Political and Security Committee will convene precisely to discuss the issue of the European contribution to this force.

Journalist: Mr. Spokesman, I would like a comment on the Israeli F-16s in southern Lebanon and the attack carried out there.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: You are aware that there is a statement from UN Secretary General Mr. Annan. I will stand on that statement.

Journalist: During the Minister’s visit to Cyprus, will there be a meeting with President Papadopoulos? And, if so, beyond developments in the Middle East, will the Cyprus issue be discussed?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Yes, the Cyprus issue will be discussed. Here, I refer you to an older statement from the Foreign Minister, following the recent visit of President Papadopoulos to Athens, that toward the end of the summer she would again discuss with the Cypriot leadership the issue of the course of the Cyprus issue and the issue of the course Turkey’s European perspective.

So I can say that developments in the Cyprus issue will be a subject in the discussion that the Minister will have with the President of the Republic of Cyprus.

Journalist: We saw in an item in yesterday’s “Phileleftheros” that the Greek government has submitted a memorandum to the Commission that, among other things, refers to the issue of violations. Has such a memorandum been submitted? And what else does it state?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: At this point I will remind you that it is standard practice, when the Commission is preparing progress reports – not just regarding Turkey, but other countries as well – for there to be contributions and thoughts expressed by member states regarding the text of the progress report.

This practice exists. And, of course, the Greek Foreign Ministry moves within this framework as well. I’ll stop there. I will not refer to the substance of what appeared in the press.

Journalist: Given that the parties directly involved – Hizbollah and Israel, that is – accept the UN resolution with reservations, does the Foreign Minister intend to ask for certain guarantees? That is, Hizbollah refuses to disarm, and Israel maintains the right to self-defence.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I will stand on my initial statement that the major issue is for Resolution 1701 to be implemented – and implemented fully – and that the ceasefire, at this time, has characteristics that render it fragile. It is in this environment that the Minister’s visit will take place, precisely to contribute to the effort, and so that the ceasefire can take on the characteristics of a stable ceasefire, and, of course, encourage everyone toward the full implementation of Resolution 1701

Journalist: Within the framework of the European meeting that will take place regarding Lebanon, I want to ask whether it is reasonable for us to assume that Greece will request clarification regarding what you mentioned earlier – that is, the operation’s terms of reference, operational structure, etc. – or whether there is something else that Greece will request at this meeting.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: These are the basic characteristics. Other positions will depend on these as well. Greece and all the other countries who desire, are considering, are examining the possibility of contributing are concerned by these issues. And these issues will be raised, as is reasonable. I have nothing more to add.

Journalist: In a recent statement, President Bush called 1701 the Resolution that ended Syria’s occupation of Lebanon. Does Greece agree with this view?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I think Greece’s assessment of the importance of this resolution is apparent from my initial stance, in which I set out the political framework for the Minister’s upcoming visit to the region.

This resolution neither indicates nor declares victors or vanquished in a conflict that, in any case, we have repeatedly characterised as absurd and inhumane. It is an important effort of the international community to achieve lasting peace in the region. Of course, the point of departure is the Lebanon issue. I also stated that the Greek position is that there can be no absolute and lasting peace there if, at the same time, efforts are not made on the Palestinian problem as well. This important parameter was included in the Foreign Minister’s speech in the Security Council during the debate on the approval of what was then the draft of Resolution 1701.

We will be able to go into greater detail when the trip has been completed.

Journalist: You said that the Greek government is examining the possibility of participating in the force for stabilisation and peacekeeping in the Middle East region. I would like you to clarify for us what this depends on – you have set out the general framework, but the sending of ground forces that will be deployed in Lebanon. And if you are not discussing it or examining it, tell us whether it is ruled out as a possibility or whether a different timeframe will have to be formulated. A second part: Within the framework of the discussion in the European Union, whether here, as well, there is the possibility of our country taking part, providing the forces that it has said it provides to the European “battle groups” as part of a force that may be deployed.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Let me clarify something. The discussion being held in the European Union is not independent of the broader discussion that has begun in the Security Council regarding the forming of the force. The upcoming meeting of the Political and Security Committee is a supplementary consultation that is being held within the framework of the European Union. Because it is clear that there will be – based on the information that has been made public at this time – a significant and substantial European dimension to this force.

Regarding your first question, the consideration, evaluation and final decision-making will be done by the competent government organs with regard to this.

So that there should be no misunderstanding in this regard, what I have already stated concerning the orientation of our contribution indicates that the deployment of ground forces is not included in our intentions and thoughts. Emphasis is on what I mentioned to you.

Journalist: Do you know whether Ankara has blocked areas of the Northern Aegean, informing the Civil Aviation Authority regarding the carrying out of exercises within the summer in the area of Limnos?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I’m not aware of anything like that. I will look into it and get back to you, but I’m not aware of anything along those lines.

Journalist: Mr. Spokesman, for the third and fourth time in recent months, articles have come out regarding documents found in the Foreign Ministry’s rubbish – sometimes official, now there are documents from Mr. Valinakis’s office suggesting, in fact, that a personal political mechanism has been set up. Is there a comment from the Foreign Ministry regarding these phenomena and the specific article in the news.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Regarding the part about cases of leaks or misappropriation of Foreign Ministry documents, there is already a clear practice being followed. On the initiative of the Foreign Minister, a Greek judicial procedure has begun and, of course, a concurrent administrative procedure within the Foreign Ministry.

This practice will be followed and is being followed in all the cases of, if nothing else, a curious nature. That’s it, in general.

Regarding the specific instance, I would like to say – and I think you can see this – that it is wholly outside my competency. And in any case I do not intend to comment on the contents of the relevant news articles.

Journalist: Does what you said in general in the first part mean that there will be an administrative procedure regarding the documents made public the day before yesterday?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Regarding the leaks or misappropriation of Foreign Ministry documents, the practice now being instituted is for the appropriate measures to be taken by the Greek justice system, as well as the necessary administrative actions.

Journalist: (off microphone)

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I think I’ve answered you. I was talking about Foreign Ministry documents.

Journalist: Will you know from now who Ms. Bakoyannis will meet with in Lebanon?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: In Lebanon she will have meetings with the Prime Minister and the Speaker of Parliament, with her counterpart, the Foreign Minister, and very likely with the Culture Minister, who essentially represented the Lebanese government at the recent discussion in the Security Council.

Journalist: And what does she want to hear from the Lebanese officials?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: It isn’t a matter of what she wants to hear. I gave you our basic priorities. Our priorities are the implementation of the resolution and a stable cessation of hostilities that will be respected by everyone.

Journalist: Will the continuation of the Israeli bombings be discussed in the EU?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: As far as I know, no, because the discussion in the Political and Security Committee will focus on the operational dimensions of the international force.

Journalist: I would like to know when there will be planning for the publication of articles regarding the Foreign Ministry’s estate, along with its diplomatic archive, in other daily newspapers and in magazines.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I don’t know. Your question will be passed on to the head of the responsible Ministry Directorate.

Journalist: Is the Russian President to visit Athens?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: That’s not something I am aware of at this time.

Journalist: Are the recent statements from the prime minister-elect of Skopje considered more flexible that the positions of previous governments?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I will not assess the statements.

What I can say with regard to your question is that the Greek position has remained firm throughout this time. That is, that the parties will have to make a substantial effort in order for a mutually acceptable solution to be reached on this issue.

For its part, Greece has done what is required. We have taken substantial steps in this direction. This is our position.

In any case, what is certain is that the negotiations in progress concern the resolution of the issue in its international dimension, and do not concern, of course, what one or the other of the two countries will call its neighbour.

The process in progress concerns the international aspect of the issue, which remains to be resolved.

Journalist: I wanted to ask whether or not it concerns the Foreign Ministry that Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Valinakis, according to yesterday’s article in “To Thema”, is using his power and influence to transfer diplomatic personnel or arrange postings and do other kinds of so-called favours regarding the hiring of citizens from the area where he is considering standing for election.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: As I said, I will not answer regarding the substance of the news articles, because it is clearly outside my competencies.

There is a part of your question that concerns the posting of diplomatic personnel. I have to say that the decisions regarding the posting of diplomatic personnel are taken in accordance with the regulations of the diplomatic service and the Foreign Ministry, by its competent Directorates.

Thank you.