DECEMBER 1996

by Lola Kalandrakis, Greek Helsinki Monitor and Minority Rights Group - Gr.

Internal Minorities

The Minority in Thrace

On the occasion of the floods that struck the region of Thrace and the vast damage they caused, the Greek press had many articles on the region’s minority -which the authorities and the media usually describe as only Muslim or tri-racial (Pomaks, Gypsies, ‘people of Turkish-origin’) while its members define themselves as homogeneous Turkish- and in general the "marvelous mosaic of races which has though lost the wondrous tissue and is suffocating in insecurity and fear" (El. 20/12). In George Stamatopoulos’ road story (El. 20/12), there is a reference to the existence of fears and insecurity of the Christian citizens resulting from the presence of minorities in this border area, especially of those that are related with neighboring countries. "The opening of road axes (…) may facilitate the contacts between the Muslims of Bulgaria and of Thrace which may lead them to demand their autonomy as they will be numerically superior." Moreover, is mentioned the conviction of the Christian inhabitants that the mainly responsible for the problems of the "Muslims" is the Turkish consulate and the "agents" who provoke and seek the misery of the minority so as to exploit her. Another version is presented in Nea which writes about "a plan in the US State Department which envisages an independent Thrace…" Extreme irredentist articles were also present, like the one by the Bishop of Alexandroupolis (E.T. 15/12) with a reference to "the pearl at the confines of the state on which our enemies have designs." In the article, there is a mention of Eastern Thrace, "the lost fatherland" "which could have fed by itself the whole of Greece" while there is an emphasis on the demographic problem "since only the Christian population has a falling birth rate."

The periods of tension in the Greek-Turkish relations also affect directly the situation of the Turkish minority in Thrace. After the various articles in the Greek press on the relations between the mafia and the para-state in the neighboring country, as well as on the action of the organization "Grey Wolves", there were many articles in which it was argued that the action of that organization extended even in Thrace, within the minority. In an Ad.T. (20/12) article, two documents were presented showing that "Turkish agents claim that they will help the Muslim minority, morally and religiously" while E.T. (20/12) also claimed there is "an open Turkish propaganda from self-appointed local groups and the indicted pseudo-mufti", whom it calls "agents." Finally, the fact that "for illegal building works in the Kimmeria (district of Xanthi) mosque 17 Muslims were arrested because they were continuing building despite the interruption of the construction works that had been ordered" (El. 27/12), was treated by part of the press as "a plan engineered by the Turkish consulate of Komotini with the sole aim to create an incident" (E.T. 23/12).

The Human Rights Watch Report on Greece

On the other hand, the annual report of the American organization Human Rights Watch on human rights set off intense comments and many reactions by a part of the Greek press. The constant policy of the last decades that does not recognize minorities in Greece, except for the Muslim one in Thrace, was once again stressed and strengthened though the media. Characteristic are the following titles: "Wild attack against Greece by an American organization. Dirty story. They baptized Skopje as Macedonia" (Ad.T. 7/12). "They forget Attila [reference to the Turkish military intervention in Cyprus in 1974], speak about ‘Turks’ and ‘Macedonians’" (Eth. 6/12). "Greece the target again" (N. 6/12). "We repress -they argue- Turks, Albanians, Slavomacedonians" (El. 6/12). "International human rights deficit" (K. 6/12). Most articles are written in a passionate style and with some sarcasm for the authors of the report while the references to the minorities mentioned in the report are always in quotes. "The report’s authors appear particularly worried about the ‘Macedonians’ (of Skopje) who are still prevented to establish themselves in Greece as well as for the treatment by the Greeks of the Turkish (sic) minority in Thrace" (N. 6/12). "The report calls repeatedly Turks the Western Thrace Muslim and mentions various incidents like the loss of citizenship of Muslim migrants, the arrest and conviction of the pseudo-mufti Emin Aga, the indictment of the owner of an illegal Turkish-speaking radio station etc." (N. 6/12).

Albania and Albanians

From the articles in the Greek press on Albania, interesting is the publication by E.T. (23/12) of the Christmas message of the Bishop of Konitsa [Greek border area with Albania]. "Let them be reassured. Christ will win and not the persecutor Herod. Northern Epirus will live free and autonomous." Though the story has no journalistic commentary, the mere publication creates the image of irredentism. In the same spirit was covered the public meeting organized by right-wing youth DAP-NDFK on N. Epirus which "a group of leftists who stormed the amphitheater attempted to stop with slogans against DAP’s ‘nationalism’ etc." (Ap. 9/12).

Moreover, as it is usual in the Greek press, the news concerning Albanians that from time to time are allegedly implicated in criminal actions is always focused on their nationality, with many stories putting forward the image of the ruthless mafia-type Albanian. Characteristically: "Albanian hooded kill fellow countryman" (Ap. 5/12). "A network of Albanian mafia in Greece, Italy, and Germany" (N. 11/12). This negative stereotype is reinforced with the case of a gang of criminals who invade homes, muzzle their owners and rob them. Though there is no evidence about the identity of the criminals, but mere suspicions that they are foreigners, almost all Greek papers refer to them as Albanians. "Albanian terror" (Ad.T., 11/12). Very characteristic is the following excerpt: "The perpetrators managed to terrorize the family so much that, whereas in the beginning they had told the police that the perpetrators were Albanians, they changed later their opinion and sent a letter to an electronic medium (…) to avoid a racist incident from being created" (E.T. 11/12). M. Mordohai, the victim of that gang, but also well-known for his antiracist sensitivities, in his letter published by El. (11/12), states: "We have no knowledge nor have we said that the burglary was carried out by Albanians (…) and in no way do we accept that the origin, citizenship, religion, color, race can be for peoples elements that discriminate them negatively or positively"

In a letter to the editor (by R.D. from Yannena) published in El. (28/12) a comment is made on the change of the name of a young Albanian by her teachers and classmates at school. "‘We should call her Dina’ said a pupil. So as to love her, so as she is no different (…) we have with kid gloves destroyed her roots." In concluding, we mention the positive reactions of the Greek press to the adoption of the Saranda [in Southern Albania] orphanage by the Municipality of Athens and to the visit of Mayor Avramopoulos to Albania. Particularly satisfied is the Ad.T. journalist (21/12) who comments: "The adoption of the orphanage was being claimed by a well-known extremist Muslim organization which in recent years has been active in the area of N. Epirus."

Bulgaria and Bulgarians

The articles in the Greek press on Bulgaria deal mainly with the bad economic situation of the country and the low living standards of the Bulgarian people. Characteristic is the article by El. (14/12) which mentions that "the Ministry of Defense does not have enough foodstuff to feed the soldiers and fuel to keep them warm" and has consequently given one month’s leave to the Bulgarian army. At the same time, the news about Videnof’s resignation is accompanied with comments about "corruption scandals" (Ap. E.T. 23/12) as well as the major economic crisis of the country, "the black market, the unemployment that is reaching dangerously high levels and the criminality that blossoms" (E.T. 22/12). The economic crisis in Bulgaria as well as the insolvency of many Bulgarian businessmen, according to Ad.T. (12/12), has hurt 132 Greek firms which deal with the border areas of Bulgaria. Finally, with a philanthropic tone it is mentioned that "the firms with a human face (…) offered important help to Bulgarian foundations, in the spirit of the days" (Ap. 31/12).

Macedonia and Macedonians

Some Greek papers, commenting on the results of the municipal elections in Macedonia, conclude that there is an important rise in the nationalists’ strength in the neighboring country. "The alliance of parties of the nationalist spectrum finally emerges as the country’s major electoral force, while there is a fear that results may be altered," with a parallel being made with the situation in Serbia (El. 5/12). Specifically, it is mentioned that "Milosevic and Gligorov are in the same course (…) the way they view the Albanian problem. So, it is argued that a rise of the nationalists in Skopje or of the opposition in Serbia, will be a serious threat to the good relations between the two countries" (El. 3/12).

There are again articles accusing the Greek government because "it stays silent to Gligorov’s gross propaganda which distorts a history of millennia" (Ap. 28/12); but "history gives an answer to the Skopjans as English historians proved the Greekness of the Macedonians in the Himalayas" (Ad.T. 5/12). Another comment in Ad.T. (28/12) states that "the Pope did not fall in the Skopjans’ trap and did not bless the newly-made ‘Macedonian’ forgers of history. (…) Well, how could it be otherwise. The liars, the thieves, and … the forgers of history can rejoice only in the first year!"

Romania and Romanians

During that month there were few references in the Greek press to Romania and Romanians. An image of crisis in the economic and social level is presented with mentions of the poverty that plagues the country. Characteristic is the information written in Ap. (10/12) that "a thousand babies were abandoned in Romania’s clinics." The inability of the welfare state to meet the country’s needs is projected. In an article by Stefanos Kassimatis, with the title "Games with the unknown" it is estimated that the election of Emil Constatninescu will not necessarily affect unfavorably the relations between the two countries, because of older Constantinescu statements on the existence of a Vlach minority in Greece. Finally, in crime-related stories in which foreigners are implicated, their nationality is systematically mentioned, as we see in a E.T. article (27/12): "A Romanian has ravaged the Northern suburbs."

Serbia and the Serbs

The situation in Serbia was covered daily throughout the month by the Greek press, frequently with full page stories or dossiers. The main theme was the continuing protest marches against Milosevic’ regime and the clashes, following the anullment of the municipal elections. Most articles in all papers were in the form of simple reporting of the situation prevailing in Belgrade, with a clear orientation in favor of the demonstrators of the opposition. There are detailed reports of the negotiations, the political developments, the profile of the opposition "which scattered until now is rallying, with the blessings of the Orthodox Church, against Milosevic" (El. 1/12). The press presented in general the image of a people which massively tries to restore democracy in his country. With the title "Serbian Polytechnic" (N. 10/12) there is a description of the struggle and the demands of the students of the University of Belgrade "the new generation that has grown up in the deprivations, the manipulation and the humiliation of the last decade" (El. 10/12).

There is also a presentation of Milosevic’ profile: "from ‘hawk’ to ‘dove’ and from a passionate nationalist to an ardent preacher of moderation and the coexistence of nationalities" (El. 8/12); but also of his family, which "having around them a group of proteges but also scoundrels governs Serbia as if she was a communist kingdom" (El. 22/12); the family "is the focus more than everything else of the Serbs’ wrath" (Ap. 15/12). In such climate, start appearing in the Greek press articles mentioning Milosevic as "the father of Serbian irredentism, who tries to create a country that will suit him, his wife, his son, his daughter and their company" (N. 21/12). In an analysis, academic Lena Divani (N. 18/12) writes that "Milosevic had succeeded in rallying the large majority of the Serbian nation around the line of a nationalist struggle that transcended classes, put brother against brother, and was extremist (…). But not for quite long. Time had taken its revenge again, washing ashore on the corpse of Yugoslavia all the same economic and political problems of the early 1980s. (…) Huge waves of demonstrators who demand again bread and freedom."

At the same time, in many articles there are references to "foreign interference in Serbia which foments the opposition" (Eth. 28/12). The analysis by Haris Mavromatis in Ap. (8/12) states among other things that "I cannot believe that the opposition leaders do not play their role, have no instructions and that they act out of mere ideology and patriotism." Finally, Pantelis Boukalas’ analysis in K. (6/12) reflects the embarrassment of the Greek public, parties and state "to watch, without any feeling of guilt, the action of the Serbian authorities, the easiness with which they violate human rights", while, in an article in N. (21/12) with the title "The Three Musketeers" (Karadjic, Mladic, Milosevic), it is mentioned that "Were they expressing the national expectations of our friends the Serbs, as many in Greece argued? Or were they mere opportunists who used nationalism to stay in power?"

At the other end and in full line with the views that had dominated the Greek press in the past were the articles covering the publication in Greek of Karadjic’ poems. All stories on the presentation of his book in Greece made references to the "poet Karadjic", "Karadjic who is prosecuted like a war criminal from the powerful of the world, as he did not accept to submit to their plans" (according to the President of a Greek-Serbian friendship association P. Mihalakakos, E.T. 5/12).

Turkey and the Turks

Traditionally, the Greek press presents large articles with negative content on Turkey. So, in many newspapers there were stories on the public denunciations of human rights violations in Turkey.

More concretely there were references to the denunciations by:

	Amnesty International ["They cover up torture" (Ap. 2/12), "They cover up torture with the help of doctors in Turkey" (El. 2/12)]
	the Council of Europe ["Daily slaps at the face of Turkey" (Ap. 7/12), "Europeans saw electrocutions in Turkey" (El. 7/12)]
	the German Parliament ["New blow for Turkey, Erbakan is impudent and insolent" (Ap. 6/12), "Klaus Kinkel: ‘A court need be established for torture’" (El. 5/12)]
	the London Times ["The Times on Turkish cruelties in Cyprus" (N. 2/12), "Ciller, our partners and torture, the report on human rights violations is a smack" (Ad.T. 16/12).

These stories are presented with large titles written in a strong disapproving style, thus contributing to the strengthening of a traditional, for Greeks, stereotype on Turks. That Turks are barbarians who have no respect for human life and would be stopped by nothing to serve their interests. Sometimes even comparisons between Greece and Turkey are made to better show the difference. "Smack at the face of Turkey: Greece is among the countries with the lowest rate of torture as opposed to Turkey …" (N. 9/12). Finally, in the Greek press there was an extensive reference to the Human Rights Watch report on human rights violations in Turkey, here without the contestations and sarcasms that were found in the references to the corresponding report on Greece: "the report is very critical of the continuing unacceptable situation in the prisons, the torture of detainees, the systematic ill-treatment of non-combatants and the organization of assassinations of political opponents to the government by para-state groups" (N. 6/12).

This negative image of these neighbors is boosted even more by the story that emerged already in late November 1996 and concerns the relation between para-state, extreme right, nationalist organizations of Turkey with the state machine and high ranked officials. The issue of the "Grey Wolves" was covered for quite some time by the Greek press. Its presentations became more extensive and frequent -with dossiers and in the leaders- especially when it was revealed that the "Grey Wolves" were implicated in forest fires in the Aegean islands, but also had possible connections with the minority in Thrace. "Three mafias govern Turkey" (N. 7/12). "Three gangs ravage Turkey, shocking revelations by Ylmaz" (K. 7/12), "Grey Wolves and Turkish para-state" (El. 2/12). Many stories state that the Turkish mafia is implicated in drug deals throughout the Balkans and is directly related to Turkish consuls in various countries (El. 6/12). To stress that image of a state in complete disarray, with institutions and democratic principles destroyed, the Greek press often quotes sometimes complete articles on the subject from the foreign press: "New York Times: ‘Here is Ankara’s para-state’" (E.T. 11/12), "Times: ‘para-state elements and mafia types act with the seal of the Turkish state’" (N. 11/12). Finally, in a correspondence from Germany by A. Valasopoulos (El. 20/12), there are references to "close relations in Germany between Turkish nationalists and Islamists with the sect of the Scientologists including even the creation of firms and companies."

The press coverage of the Turkish-Hellenic Business Council was manifold and varied. A large section of the press saw the prospects of the economic cooperation between the two countries very positively. "Make business not war. A message of hope" (El. 15/12); "A business bridge in Greek-Turkish relations. The first positive step" (E.T. 15/12); "Greece-Turkey: business brings us closer" (K. 8/12). However, a section of the press treated the subject with suspicion and skepticism. Characteristically, Eth. (12/12) gives such an impression with the title: "Turkey throws economic nets". In the same page, in fact -and it is noteworthy- it presents news like "They steal tourists from us with ridiculously low prices" "They want to sell water to our islands", "Iraqi oil in Ankara’s hands." All this news together creates in the subconscious of the reader feelings of suspicion and sends the message that in practice the economic cooperation between Greeks and Turkish is inconceivable, since the latter are interested only in their interests and financial domination. Characteristic of such skepticism is Michael Dountas’ article (N. 16/12) "invest and make peace, but Ankara unshaken lays claims on Greek sovereignty. That simple."

There were also reactions by some politicians according to El. (12/12). "The organizers (the Ipekci Greek-Turkish friendship award committee) were called ‘neo-collaborationists’ and the Greek participants in the Greek-Turkish Business Meeting in Zappeio ‘naive’ by [deputies] S. Papathemelis, K. Badouvas, and G. Stathopoulos." In a kind of response to all the above reactions. S. Linardatos comments (V. 29/12): "the rude attacks not only from fascist-oriented well-known small groups and publications, but also from former and current PASOK deputies against businessmen who foster the Greek-Turkish cooperation are very damaging."

The image of a neighboring Turkey which is a far cry form the model of a civilized European state, secluded in her ‘Islamist shell’ is constantly presented by the Greek press on many occasions. We mention characteristically articles of Greek papers on the treatment of animals in Turkey and the view reportedly emanating from the Muslim tradition that "angels do not go near any house with a dog" ("Turkish barbarism with animals" (E.T. 5/12)), "Islamists kill dogs in Turkey" (El. 5/12). Also, following a program of American television ‘History Channel" and the view presented there on the Turkish roots of Santa Claus, there are strong reactions in the Greek press: "hanoum [‘woman’ in Turkish] Ciller who organized a mafia in Turkey to sell heroin and liquidate her opponents has managed not to take Santa with her in the various ‘forum.’ Aei sihtir memetia [‘f.. you Mehmets’ in Turkish] (Ad.T. 28/12). Eth (13/12) uses a similar style on the occasion of the presentation of some human rights award in Izmir to Rauf Denktash: "Turks gave an award to occupation leader and slayer of Cyprus Rauf Denktash." In the same paper, and with the same tones, there are comments on the traffic of illegal immigrants from Turkey to Greece (Eth. 3/12): "Kastelorizo, Kos and Symi [Greek islands near Turkey] are the preferred areas of landing. Turks aim at importing a minority and piercing through the defense shield towards the east so that, along with the persecuted Iraqis, some agents be offered hospitality in the islands." Finally, the "Poll on the National Issues" (El. 16/12) confirms the climate of fear of Greeks towards Turkey. 50.2% of Greeks "want a priority to be given to the efficient countering of the Turkish threat."

Fortunately, there are also some articles which aim at creating a different climate than the usual one, at the very opposite of the articles mentioned before. "A Greek-Cypriot and a Turkish-Cypriot struggle to help the two communities live peacefully. Nothing separates them" (N. 17/12). "Art tore down walls" (Eth. 18/12). All this on the occasion of the screening in Athens of their film on the Cypriot problem. K. Papagiorgis, in an article with the title "The underground school" (Ap. 8/12) shatters the myth of the existence of underground schools during the Ottoman period arguing that "it was a fundamental myth that nourished the [Greek irredentist] Great Idea:" the article was written on the occasion of the circulation of the new 200 drs. bill which has on one side a painting referring to that myth.

There were stories too in the sports pages of the papers. Their main theme was the row in the basketball game between Aris and Turkish Besiktas in Salonica. The articles covered the story in a biased way, calling, without any evidence, the row "a planned provocation by the Turks" continuing the already loaded climate form the first game. The presence of a Greek banner stating "Constantinople is the capital of Greece" was treated like "the cause" or "the answer" of Greek fans to similar Turkish banner in the first game in Istanbul (E.T. 12/12).

Here are many related titles: "Provocation"/"Greek-Turkish beating with American interference" [because the Turkish team’s player who started the row was an American] (N. 12/12); "Aei sihtir [‘f… you’ in Turkish]" (Ad.T. 12/12); "Warm incident with American interference" (Eth. 12/12); "Turkish provocation in the Alexandreio [sports arena]" (Eth. 12/12); "Grey Wolves in Alexandreio" (Ap. 12/12). Many of these titles are directly related to the other stories on Greek-Turkish relations. The puns on ‘American interference’ and ‘Grey Wolves’ create unpleasant associations to the readers, giving the image of ‘provocative and barbarian’ neighbors to a large array of activities ranging from politics to sports.

The presentation and the comments of the topic culminate on 13/12: "Turkish provocation, the rout was planned ahead," "of course they were upset when they saw the banner ‘Constantinople capital of Greece’ not because it offended them but because they understood that those who wrote it meant it" (Ad.T. 13/12); "They played a political game on our back" (N. 13/12); "Turkish provocation," "hooliganism will not be tolerated" (E.T. 13/12).

There were two comments though which disapproved of the raising of the banner. "This cannot confirm the interpretation of a Turkish provocation that was hurriedly espoused by the Greek team’s officials and, alongside them, by the television channels (which avoided with extreme care to show whatever was incriminating for the Greek side) and by many newspapers whose ethnocentric bitterness prevents them from considering of the possibility that the blame may not be one-sided" (K. 14/12, P. Boukalas). "The empty-headed will continue dominating for long. That means that the sober ones should keep open the road between the two peoples. This is the only visible perspective. The other one, the traditional one is only conflict" (Ad.T. 13/12, N. Mertzos).

At the opposite side we had, in some papers, the coverage of the friendship between weight-lifters V. Leonidis [a Greek] and N. Suleimanoglu [a Turk] as "an example of friendship and reconciliation" (El. 12/12). However, there was also an article which stated that "Suleimanoglu continued the scoffing and the pocket propaganda (…) backing Constantinople’s candidacy for the 2004 Olympiad via Athens [also a candidate city] (Ad.T. 13/12).