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Turkey, Greece move closer in quake's aftermath

Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Monday, August 30, 1999

ATHENS [MENL] -- Greece and Turkey are moving closer to a reconciliation and for the first time in years have ended the vitriol and threats that have characterized their relations.

Officials said although the reconciliation efforts began earlier this year, this month's earthquake was a turning point. Greece joined other countries in helping its rival and neighbor and suddenly Turkey began singing Athens's praise.

The foreign ministers of the two countries are in steady contact and reports assert that secret talks are exploring the resolution of border issues and Cyprus.

Former Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said the dialogue between Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou and his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem should become "permanent policy of the (Turkish) government." He predicted that the improvement in Greek-Turkish relations will turn permanent.

"I think that we can find solutions to all problems, the problem of Cyprus and the Aegean, as long as both sides do not attempt to secure advantages one over the other," Yilmaz told Turkish television. "There are no problems which can not be resolved."

Over the last 25 years, Greece and Turkey have come close to war three times.

Greece has launched an initiative for the European Commission to extend aid to Turkey, a key trading partner. Damage from the earthquake has been estimated at up to $10 billion.

Papandreou will present the proposal at the Council of Foreign Ministers' meeting, scheduled for Saturday in Finland.

The United States has been delighted by the new atmosphere in Greek-Turkish relations. U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright wrote Papandreou that Greece's aid to Turkey "is an important expression of solidarity with your neighbor. We hope you can build on this to continue to improve the bilateral climate."

In an interview to the Athens newspaper Imerisia, Greek Alternate Foreign Minister Yiannos said Greece does not have what he termed dogmatic differences with the Turkish people. He said the differences are political and concern the problem of Cyprus and the Greek-Turkish relations.

Turkish newspapers report daily Greek contributions to the earthquake recovery effort. Editorials praise Athens's contribution to the humanitarian project and the Greek embassy in Ankara have been inundated with telephone calls from grateful Turks. More than 13,000 people have died.

"The misery and damages which have befallen upon our friends as well as on all of our nation are beyond any imagination," said Bosphorus University Dean Ustun Erguder, who received about $100,000 from Greek Onasis Foundation to repair the campus.

"Unfortunately, there are students and facutly members among the victims of the recent destructive earthquake. We are deeply moved by the solidarity you and the Greek nation showed and we appreciate the generous offer of the [Onassis] Foundation."

Monday, August 30, 1999



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