Greek Foreign Minister Seeks Improved Bilateral Ties With Israel

American Jewish Committee
Friday, 28 May 1999

Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou told American Jewish Committee leaders this week that his government wants to strengthen the bilateral relationship with Israel.

The May 26 meeting with American Jewish leaders, hosted by AJC Honorary President and Chair of its National Advisory Council Ambassador Alfred H. Moses, was the first since Mr. Papandreou replaced Theodore Pangalos at the Greek foreign ministry. Mr. Pangalos, who departed the Ministry following the Ocalan affair, had referred to Israeli-Turkish relations as "an alliance of wrongdoers."

Mr. Papandreou's call for improved ties with Israel, emphasized in the hour-long meeting at AJC's Washington Office, marks a departure from the views expressed by his predecessor and promises to ease misunderstandings in the bilateral relationship. The ruling Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) had rebuffed Israeli attempts in 1995 to establish closer relations, and had publicly criticized Israel's growing relationship with Turkey. Greece did not establish full diplomatic ties with Israel until 1990 during the government of Prime Minister Constantine Mitsotakis.

The Foreign Minister spoke of continuing and enhancing economic and military cooperation efforts between Greece and Israel, and of his hopes for reciprocal visits with the Foreign Minister in the new government of Israel.

Mr. Papandreou also told the AJC leaders that on a recent visit to Moscow he discussed the return to Greece of the archives of the Jewish communities of Thessaloniki and Athens, which were found after the KGB archives were opened. Most of the archives of these Jewish communities were destroyed during World War II.

On another matter, Mr. Papandreou agreed to look into the issue of Israel's admission to the West European and Others Group (WEOG) at the United Nations, which would enable Israel to serve on the UN Security Council and other deliberative bodies. Currently, Israel is the only one of 185 member countries denied the right to belong to one of five regional groups necessary to serve on these bodies.

The minister was also asked to join with the United States to block the convening of the Fourth Geneva Convention signatories this summer on the matter of Israeli settlements. AJC regards this unprecedented call to convene as prejudicial and disruptive of the Arab-Israeli peace process.

Mr. Papandreou also said he would like to see Israel involved in reconstruction efforts in the Balkans following the NATO military action. The minister praised Israeli humanitarian efforts in Macedonia, particularly the Israeli field hospital that has received international attention for its effectiveness.

Minister Papandreou was accompanied by Greece's ambassador in Washington, Alexandre Philon, and by Photini Constantopoulou, director of the historical archive service of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Joining AJC officials at the meeting were representatives of the Anti-Defamation League, B'nai B'rith, AIPAC, and prominent Greek Americans, including Andrew Athens, world president of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad, and Andrew Manatos, president of the National Coordinated Effort of Hellenes.

For more information, or to contact American Jewish Committee, see their website at: www.ajc.org