DECEMBER 1997 Monitoring.

by Christina Rougheri, Greek Helsinki Monitor and Minority Rights Group - Gr.

ABSTRACT

Non-citizens? The Turkish consulate in Thrace. The issues related to the Macedonians and to immigrant legislation are center-stage. Satisfaction at the warming up of the relations between Albanian and Macedonia. Minimum reference to Bulgaria and Romania. Discussion of the grave economic problems of the two countries. Manipulation and tension when it comes to describing Macedonia’s intentions and role. The Macedonian minority - the thorn of the rose. The usual image of Turkey is justified by the political developments. The European meeting. A bomb at the Patriarchy.

Internal Minorities

"The Turkish Consulate in Komotini has really become the base of dozens of agents who spread out into the area. In this situation one wonders at the question on the Consulate’s continued operation." (Eth 28/12). The operation of the Turkish Consulate in Komotini is dealt with mainly by the right-wing opposition press. Following its political agenda, it has a particularly negative attitude towards the whole issue. The feelings of suspicion and anxiety which find their ground in the alleged pro-Turkish (and therefore anti-Greek) aims and activities of the Consulate are oftentimes made very clear. The impression which one gets is that in Greece there is absolutely no repression of human rights. This is made even clearer in the comparison with the situation in Turkey. Thus the readers start questioning the reasons for the existence of such delegations. All this becomes even more frightening when looked at within the framework of the ‘evil plan of the evil foreigners’ who are constantly doing their machinations aimed at the destruction of beautiful and pure Greece (from a religious and ethnic point of view). The Turkish ‘finger’ in the whole situation is always taken for granted. "The whole area of Thrace has been infiltrated with the so-called diplomats who spread out into the minority villages, and, naturally, unhindered, give their information to their bosses in the MIT. Maybe, it is necessary to take immediate measures to deal more successfully with the really suspicious and dangerous policies of the Consulate, and at least to re-examine the reasons for its operation." (Eth 22/10).

Sometimes the atmosphere is laden even more by the official statements of important public figures and other decision makers, who strengthen the already present negative stereotypes about minorities and Turkey. The response of former President of Greece, Ch. Sargetakis, to former Prime Minister, K. Mitsotakis, is exemplary of this attitude. "He [Mr. Mitsotakis] is so uninformed about the events in Thrace that he doesn’t even know that all Muslims there misbehave defiantly, and are undisturbed, even though they are shamelessly breaking the law without being prosecuted. Obviously, they are plotting under the guidance of the Turkish Consulate" (…) "Therefore the oppressed there are not the Muslims, but on the contrary, the Christian Greek citizens" (…) "Thrace is slowly getting out of Greece’s hold, exactly because of defeatist policies, compliance and continued compromise. We have been following this policy with determination for decades, without our responsible leaders ever opening their eyes to the tragedy which concerns our motherland and Hellenism in general" (EL 14/12).

The Turkish minority, as well as the Pomaks are dealt with in much the same manner. Due to the traditional state practice in relation to minority matters the Pomaks have for many years been treated as a category of people who are not different from the "Turkish-speaking Muslims." Recently sympathy for the Pomak minority and a re-discovery of its culture and traditions were shown. For years these had been seen only in the shadow of the Turks. The message conveyed nowadays is that the Greek state is not responsible for the isolation of the Pomaks. Such an isolation has been the result of political manipulation by the extremist circles of the Turkish minority. The two communities are presented as divided and having problems in their communication between each other. "I am a Greek Pomak, and I am proud of it. However, some people from the minority, who have the same religion as mine don’t accept my assessment. They don’t recognize the existence of the Pomaks, even the word ‘Pomak’ bothers them." [Interview with Omer Hamdi (Eth 14/12)].

The conservative press covered with prejudice the demonstration which the Greek Helsinki Monitor had for the non-citizens [the stateless victims of Article 19 of the Greek Citizenship Code.] "On the occasion of the International Human Rights Day, the Greek Helsinki Monitor organized an event dealing with the problems faced by the ‘minorities of Thrace.’ The most sensational thing , however, is how the organization had announced the activity. It said that for the first time there would appear a non-citizen called Aisel Zaybek!" (Et 10/12) On the other hand, newspapers such as EL greeted and supported the effort and its successful outcome. "Aisel was re-born at twenty." (EL 18/12).

The same paper, EL, had even stronger words which expressed its stand on the issue. "Why do some people freak out and talk about filth flank when they hear that the Muslims in Thrace refer to Turkey as their ‘motherland’. These same people get weepy and celebrate euphorically when the same words are heard, for example, from a representative of the Greek minority in Albania?" (EL 2/12). "And the Muslims are afraid to play Turkish music in their shops. But how can they not be afraid? The historic mosque of Lotzias dating from the 17^th century, which is the island’s jewel, has been desecrated with slogans by extreme nationalist ‘Turks you will die,’ ‘Your brothel will fall,’ ‘ F..k you Turks.’ The mosque is 100 meters from the police station. Let’s hope that the Council’s employees will erase the slogans before photographs of them are circulated around the world" (EL 29/12).

The tactics followed in respect to the Greek citizens of Macedonian ethnicity has been well-established for a long time. One should keep in mind that the Macedonian minority, like all other groups and communities which are based on nationality, is not officially recognized in Greece. Even the Turkish minority is recognized only on the basis of its different religion and is therefore called a Muslim minority. In this line of thinking, the reactions against the demand for construction of a temple by the Macedonian Orthodox Christians come only natural. The Macedonian priest Tsarknias is again in the limelight. "The well-known anti-Greek Skopjan agent, who appears as a representative of the self-named breakaway ‘Macedonian Church.’" The typical way of treating the subject is not to take it as a collective demand by a group of people, which believes and wants to state that it is different from the majority, but as a special personal situation which acts to the advantage of the bad ‘nameless’ neighboring country. "Surpassing any previous example, insolent Skopje uses the finger of its agent, the notorious unfrocked priest Tsarknias (…), and arrives at the point of demanding the construction of a holy temple in … Macedonia" (ET 4/12).

The legalization of the immigrants who live and work in Greece constantly makes the headlines of the papers, especially recently, because of the practical implementation of the related decision. The entire Greek media, even the ones which show some concern as regards the readiness of the civil service to implement the decision, greeted it with relief. Of course, there were some exceptions which simply prove the rule. Most reactions came from the conservative political and journalistic sector. The main argument is about the ‘import of minorities (especially of Albanians)’ into Greece. "However, circles within the ministries of Foreign Affairs and Public Order express fears at the probability of mass migration of Albanian refugees into our country in the immediate future. Diplomats emphasize that the ‘institutional legalization’ of thousands of Albanian citizens who are at present illegally in our country would strengthen the Albanian ‘community’ within the Greek state, which in the future may form a typical minority." (ET 3/12).

On top of everything else, the existence of the immigrants in Greece is treated as related to crime. "The phenomenon of crime in Greece is worrying. The Greek by his nature is good-hearted and placid. It is very difficult for a Greek to commit a heinous crime. The horrendous types of crime in Greece today, come mainly from abroad. Our borders are more or less unguarded." [Letter by B. Papadakis, EL (12/12)].

The Greek Roma, both travelers and non-travelers, are generally treated by the state authorities and society at large in a way which is exemplified in the decision of the Council Board of Alikarnassos. The latter refused to accept the setting up of a radar for the Herakelion airport. The argument promoted by the citizens and local authorities is that all the "..disagreeable uses, such as goals, barracks, airports and the Roma settlement, are in our area." (N 22/12).

Albania and the Albanians

For most of the Greek press Albania was, is and will be "The poorest country in Europe.".(N 22/12). The betterment of the bilateral relations between Greece and Albania, as well as between Macedonia and Albania, is judged as something especially positive for the country’s progress, for its development, and its entry into the club of the European countries. The improvement of relations between Albania and its neighbors is said to be due to the efforts of the government of the former to promote democracy and prosperity. "Relations between Tirana and Skopje are warming up." (K. 4/12); "Six agreements were signed yesterday between Tirana and Skopje." (K. 22/12).

Bulgaria and the Bulgarians

Almost no coverage of Bulgaria and the political situation there.

Macedonia and the Macedonians

The Greek press made a big issue out of the trial of the Macedonian citizen who had declared himself to be Greek in the recent census in that country. The assumptions and impressions one gets, while reading the Greek press, is that this person is being persecuted because he did not declare himself a Macedonian. However, the case which was started against him concerns a charge of beating up a member of the nationalistic branch of VMRO. The whole case is a good excuse to open once more the discussion about the name of the neighboring country, to remind it of its ‘Bulgarian’ origins, and of the ‘Skopjan trading on Greek history and tradition.’ All this tried to strengthen the image of an undemocratic country which only creates, and will create, problems for Greece. There started appearing more extensive references about the existence of a Greek minority in the neighboring ‘tiny state.’ The Greek Helsinki Monitor is accused of showing bias on the issue. Even the leftist newspapers in the progressive sector, like Avgi, brought up the subject, without having ever presented on its pages any Greek citizens who declare themselves Macedonians in origin and conscience. "Particularly important is the fact that a Nea Democratia MP referred to the well-known ‘Greek Helsinki Monitor’ of Panayote Dimitras, which had the ‘sensitivity’ to organize yesterday in Athens a meeting on the problems of the Muslim minority in Thrace. There the case of a young Muslim lady ‘non-citizen’ was presented (citizenship has been withdrawn on the basis of Article 19 of the relevant Code). The organization doesn’t seem to show any concern about the case of Konstantinidis, who has been through an unbelievable judicial adventure, and is in danger of being imprisoned in Skopje" (…) "an orgy of public threats followed; abuse and aggression from the Bulgarian-speaking agents of the VMRO and from the Skopjan police. The case of self-defense in what appeared to be an unprovoked attack by four persons was typically called ‘attack by Nikos on us!!’" (ET 11/12) However, the nationalistic newspaper Stohos cleared things up a few days later by renouncing its agent in Skopje, even though supporting the so-called Macedonian citizen. The newspaper criticized his refuge to the courts and his desire to defend himself in Greek, judging that such a precedent would open the way for Macedonians in Greece to follow his example.

Political conspiracy was given as the reason behind the November meeting of national minorities in Tetovo in Macedonia. EL (16/12) characteristically referred to the common "line of Ankara and Skopje and their games with minorities." The newspaper claimed that the meeting was financed by the state (Skopje) with the addition of material aid from the Turkish embassy there. The report makes the assumption that Macedonia and Turkey act together and fight together (always against Greece) in order to promote non-existent minority problems, with the aim of bringing their achievements back to Greece, and slandering the latter for lack of respect for human and minority rights. The editor of the article talks about the "unusual manhandling and distortions" of reality after "the whole meeting was presented as a Turkish-Skopjan synonym." (EL 31/12) In the answer which was given by the participants in the meeting, the allegations of financing by the state and of the participation of the Turkish embassy were denied. It claims that "the editor aimed to hush up the decisions which were taken…he didn’t refer to the content of the joint bulletin" cultivating impressions and feelings which belong to the past. The formal reply by the editor said that the aim of the report was to "shed light on some parameters of the above meeting." The same line was taken by Eth (7/12). "Last weekend a meeting took place between minority organizations from Balkan states which ended up in an attempt at slandering Greece badly" (…) "Of course, at the meeting there was heard enough from fanatic members of the Muslim minority of Western Thrace" (…) "Mr. Papofski spoke in his opening speech about the political assimilation and genocide which Greece follows against the ‘Macedonians.’ The representative of the ‘Aegean Macedonians,’ as they are called, asked for the putting an end to the demographic differences in northern Greece."

Many articles suggested that the Macedonian effort was a calculated attempt to fuel tensions in the Greek-Macedonian relations. V (21/12) writes about "nationalistic fever in Skopje" referring to the "Neo-nationalist behavior of the Skopjans which spreads towards Greece." The responsibility for this is placed on the "So-called ‘Aegean Macedonians.’"

The official positions of Macedonia and Turkey, when they converge in a way which is dangerous for the Greek interests, are treated with skepticism and anxiety by the Greek press. The impression that the two deadly enemies of the Greek nation are rallying and supporting each other is promoted as an easy alibi for the short-sighted handling by Greece of the subjects such as minorities and human rights. Indicative is the piece which follows: "Unexpected allies were found, besides Turkey and Skopje, in the semi-official organ of the Gligorov regime. ‘Nova Makedonia’ violently criticized the EU because it ‘supported the Greek blackmail.’ In a similar vein yesterday Mr. Gligorov, speaking in his state’s parliament, appeared inflexible on the matter of the name, but undertook to bring the subject of the ‘Macedonian minority’ in neighboring countries to the attention of the international organizations!" (ET 17/12).

The statement of former President of Greece, Ch. Sargetakis, on the stance which the leaders of the Greek Foreign Ministry should adopt towards the neighboring country is particularly telling and evokes the attitudes of the past: "Towards Skopje: We should make it clear that as long as they want to be called Macedonians, this carries with it an obligation to Greek foreign policy, or Skopje’s incorporation into Greece." (Eth 30/12).

Romania and the Romanians

Almost no coverage of Romania and the political situation there. Very few references to the economical problems that the Romanian population encounter on an everyday basis.

Serbia and the Serbs

"Economic decline. Loss of all trust in their politicians and institutions. A non-existent opposition. A President who is only interested in the perpetuation of the crisis. An image which we have seen in other countries with a less glorious past - enormous queues in front of the western embassies for the much desired visas. This is the situation which is present today in Romania." (N 13/12). This, in a few words, is the image of Serbia drawn up for the Greek reader, as there were not many articles about Serbia this month. The great majority treats the political situation in the country. It is judged that in spite of all those who got involved in the war, the country continues to find itself at an impasse. This is attributed to the national sacrifice, the continuation of Milosevic’s power and the non-existence of alternative political choices sharing the absolute trust of the West. "The political scene remains unchanged with the election of Mr. Miloutinovic." (EL 28/12).

Turkey and the Turks

The bomb attack on the Patriarchate in Istanbul was taken, as expected, as a further aggravation of the Greek-Turkish relations, and was used as just another chance to cultivate tension and create negative impressions. "Even before the ink from the pens with which the agreement between Athens and Ankara about the new structure of administration in NATO on everything which concerns the Aegean had a chance to dry out, the Turks show their real face with a bomb attack against the guardians of Orthodoxy at Fanari." (ET 3/12)

Once more the undemocratic face of the country comes to the fore. It monopolizes the interest around the neighboring country and ends up, in essence, with the only image - that of the eternal enemy of Greece and Hellenism. The survival of the image of the bad and barbaric Turks is promoted whenever there is a chance. "At last the Europeans are beginning to understand that they are dealing with terrorists and the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Jean-Claude Yonker, who is presiding over the European Council of the Fourteen said it openly and clearly: ‘The EU cannot accept at its negotiating table a country which tortures its citizens. That is unacceptable.’" (EL 13/12). "In a statement, Amnesty International stresses that the practice of torture of juveniles continues in 1997, as does the restriction of the freedom of expression, resulting in the jailing of 184 intellectuals and many trade unionists and students." (N. 3/12).

Finally, taking the publication of an article by Human Rights Watch and the International Helsinki Federation as a justification for their stance, the Greek papers referred to "the decade-long practice of torture in Turkey which continued in 1997 as well." (K 6/12) "New strike against Turkey" (ET 6/12).The clashes between Greece and Turkey are always used by the press to show the ‘different level of behavior’ of the two countries. This difference is often explained through the ‘inferiority complex’ of Turkey and the ‘complex’ which the Greek political heritage causes. "One of the main reasons for the psychic loss is apparent in the fact that Ankara is conscious of Greece’s superiority. Greece is not only a member of Europe. It is Europe. And without its consent, Ankara will never be able to pass the threshold of Europe." (ET 4/12).

Keeping in mind all this, it is understandable that the Greek conservative press is adamantly against the Turkey’s accession to the EU. "We are not going to get tired of repeating it. The aim of Greece cannot be the putative ‘civilization’ of Turkey and the easing of its entry into the EU. Our aim must be the serving of our national interests as seen in the light of our successful and timely incorporation into the EU. Our interests must be spread in the procedures of the EU. Asiatic, Muslim, undemocratic, militant and aggressive Turkey has no place in the EU." (Et 31/12).

In the well-known portrait of Turkey, the last brush-strokes are supplied by stories about the political situation in the country, about the role of the army in regard to the Kurdish question, and about the recent abolition of the Islamic party. "We are dealing with a Turkey of 60,000,000 mass population, with a very low income per capita, with an 80% inflation, with corrupt political leadership, and with generals who decide and order everything, as only one secret decree of the National Security Council (that is to say of the junta) gives the generals the right to crush all the laws and all the international agreements and treaties." (ET 29/12). The theory of the split personality is used many times, in order to explain the identity crisis and the orientation which the neighboring country is faced with . Turkey is presented as divided, not only politically but ethnically and culturally. "Turkey is also a country in which Kemal Ataturk looked towards the West. However, the people continue to pray with their faces turned towards Mecca. There is therefore a ruling class which consists of… pseudo-Muslims, whose heart belongs to the West and there is a lower and large class made up of real Muslims." (ET 14/12).

Oftentimes, there are drawn similarities to Hitler’s regime: "Turkey acts against Greece and Cyprus like an expansionist power. The exact meaning is that it behaves in the same way as Hitler did in regard to Europe just before World War II." (EL 21/12).

There are some dissenting opinions, most often expressed by the progressive politicians and journalists. "It seems that our love for history does not include love for its lessons. The recent reactions by patriots show that after the diplomatic defeat and the unpleasant word ‘Macedonia,’ we went into the second round. This time we are not dealing with the Gypsy-Skopjans, but with the eternal enemy of the race. If the government plans to find a solution to the Greek-Turkish question which will be supported by the international community and which will do away with the mutual suspicion, I hope it will do it courageously and promptly. Some people have already begun this process with the Afion Karahisar." (EL 14/12).

From the spectrum of the so-called liberal conservatives, it was only the statement of former Prime Minister and honorary President of Nea Democratia, K. Mitsotakis [Eth (17/12)] and that of the former Minister of National Economy which made the few exceptions. "I don’t think that we, the Greeks, should accept with joy the probability that Turkey remains outside of Europe. We should celebrate Turkey’s accepting the right steps which lead to Europe. This is in our national interest." "The former minister asks for the improvement of Greek-Turkish relations. That is why he makes some essential suggestions such as supporting Turkey’s efforts to enter the EU, reviewing the school books (which present the Turks as barbaric detestable creatures), with the aim of a more objective and balanced look at history and the creation of a Turkish and Islamic Studies department at some Greek universities (the study of Turkey is essentially non—existent). We are happily surprised, Mr. Manos."(EL 3/12). The same politician said openly that the decision of the EU about Turkey is "racist." (EL 21/12)

Guide to Newspaper initials:

(With data about the decline of many Greek newspapers, lower than 50,000 copies daily, or per issue, the Greek Helsinki Monitor decided to restrict its observation to publications with circulation above 50,000 average or at least, one daily issue per week)