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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