ATHENS Ñ Greece and the United States plan to bolster defense and
security cooperation during the campaign against terorism and in preparation for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens..
Officials said the defense and security dialogue has been facilitated by
U.S. satisfaction over Greece's efforts to dismantle the November 17
terrorist group. The Bush administration has expressed appreciation over
the rapid capture and prosecution of what officials termed has been the
entire November 17 leadership.
Officials said the two countries have agreed to increase meetings and
other contacts to coordinate defense and security cooperation over the next
year, Middle East Newsline reported. They said the goal is to prepare for the establishment of a European
Union military in 2003 and the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004.
The stepped-up defense and security dialogue was launched on Tuesday
during a meeting between Greek Defense Minister
Yiannos Papantoniou and U.S. ambassador to Athens Thomas Miller.
The United States has been pressing Athens to grant neighboring Turkey a
greater say in any European force. Washington wants such a Turkish role to
precede its goal of membership in the EU.
At their meeting, Papantoniou and Miller discussed a range of issues
that officials said would dominate their bilaterial security agenda. They
included Greece's position on the EU military rapid deployment force and
cooperation against terrorism as well as in any U.S. military campaign
against Iraq.
Papantoniou said Athens and Washington have agreed to step up security
cooperation over the next year. He said both countries began to increase
meetings on defense and security more than a month ago when Greece took over
the presidency of the EU Common Foreign and Defense Policy portfolio.
Greece has been reluctant in granting Ankara a greater say in the EU
military force. Papantoniou accused Turkey of continuing to violate Greek
national airspace in the Aegean Sea.
"They [air space violations] have taken on a dimensions that do not
contribute to the consolidation of peace and stability in this sensitive
region," Papantoniou said.
At the same time, the government of Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis
has sought additional funding to ensure security at the Olympic Games in
Athens in 2004. Several countries, such as Britain and the United States,
have been consulting with Athens on security measures during the games.
