February
13, 2007February
13, 2007
During its meeting of the 13th of February 2007 the Synaspismos Political
Secretariat discussed the latest developments in a number of foreign affairs
issues. Specifically:1. The Pol.Sec. estimated that international developments and especially those in our wider region give birth to new tensions and war threats. Peace is bleeding daily in many countries, from Iraq and Afghanistan to Somalia and Darfour. In addition, there is a growing danger of Iran becoming a new Iraq.
The Bush administration plan for the so-called “New Middle East” has become a long nightmare for the peoples. On the other hand, this policy is now faced with strong resistance and is being rejected even by the majority of the US citizens, a development that creates the possibility to strengthen and broaden the struggle for peace. Under this light, SYNASPISMOS considers that it is timely and is working on a proposal for a European Initiative for the Middle East which we shall soon present to the public. At the same time, we will support and strengthen peace mobilizations on the occasion of the 4 years since the beginning of the war against Iraq.
2. SYNASPISMOS is opposed to the efforts of the Turkish government to cause tension and issue threats in response to the Cyprus Republic government’s decision to sign treaties with neighbouring countries and start procedures for oil extraction in the sea area defined as its Exclusive Economic Zone, in accordance with its sovereign rights and the Sea Law. We appeal to both communities of Cyprus to not allow this issue to become a reason for discord. On the contrary, no effort should be spared, without delay, to pave the road for substantial dialogue, aiming at the solution of the Cyprus problem on the basis of the UN resolutions.
3. Concerning Kosovo, the position of SYNASPISMOS is as follows:
The solution to this problem must be sought on the basis of international law and within the framework of a comprehensive strategy for the Balkans that will favour neither the “divide and rule” policies of the powerful nor the local nationalist and expansionist aspirations, nor the change of frontiers. In our view, these criteria are not met by the Ahtisaari proposal.
A unilateral independence of Kosovo - the US and other western powers are exerting pressure in favor of this solution- may cause a chain reaction of destabilization in the Western Balkans as well as a negative precedent for many other international problems.
Negotiations must continue for a mutually acceptable solution and, in order to achieve this, the required time should be provided.
We consider that the decision of the Council of Ministers of the EU to accept the Ahtisaari Proposals departs from previous EU decisions in favor of the implementation of resolution 1244/99 of the UN Security Council.
We disagree with the Greek government’s agreement with this decision, despite the fact that our country has special reasons to demand strict adherence to international law. Unfortunately, the leadership of PASOK is also moving in the same direction.
The foreign policy of New Democracy, captive of its atlantic orientation, lacks initiative, even on issues where Greece has the potential to play an active role for peace.
In our view the Greek Parliament must be urgently informed on the serious developments concerning Kosovo. In addition, the National Council for Foreign Policy should be convened to discuss the issue.
Athens, 13 February 2007