January 1998 Monitoring

Domestic minorities

A large part of the press, mainly from the centrist and the progressive side, welcomed with relief the abolishment of Art. 19 of the Greek Citizenship Code, which marked the end of both a theory and a policy of discrimination. This policy has stripped from Greek citizenship a considerable part of the Turkish and the Macedonian minority in Greece. The main argument in favor of the imminent abolition is related more to the need to put an end to the country’s international reprimand than to the recognition on the part of Greece -a country that wants to be a true European one- of the necessity to respect the minorities’ human rights. "Abolition of an article on citizenship, which exposed Greece to the whole world" (N. 15/1). "Athens is trying quite cautiously and not without reactions from part of the local Christian population to settle the issue of giving back the citizenship to many Muslims, who had lost it after leaving the country by virtue of Art. 19. The beginning of the week saw the first successful step - the decision on the card of non-citizenship. Despite this, a file of complaints has been brought before the Council of Europe by Muslim associations controlled by Ankara." (K. 18/1). The above decision is a good opportunity for certain news editors to underline the negative role that has been played from time to time by the official church authorities, mainly as regards the minority in Thrace: "The Church exerted pressure for the preservation of Art. 19 (…), Similarly, in the case of the Macedonian issue, it was because of many church agents that hysterical reactions were provoked." (EL. 25/1). The conservative press, on the other hand, reacts with intense skepticism: "The abolition of Art. 19 is a dangerous game" (…) "It practically gives the opportunity to any alien who wants to come in and out of the country, like the Muslims in Thrace, to do so without losing the Greek citizenship. Thus it exposes nationally sensitive areas to the danger of destabilization" (E.T. 24/1). The same disposition is reflected in the statements in E.T. (17/1) of A. Samaras, leader of the Politiki Anixi party and former minister of foreign affairs: "(…) it [the Simitis government] doesn’t seem to realize that it is responsible for putting a bomb in the future of Thrace, whose explosive mechanism is in the hands of Ankara."

The hysterical repugnance of the Greek press against the demand of the minority in Thrace for self-determination is confirmed, once again, by the seven-page press release addressed to the UN by the permanent Turkish delegation under the title: "The Turkish minority in Thrace". The following titles and excerpts are characteristic: "Ankara talks again about a Turkish minority" (N. 28/1). "Acting in a cunning way, the Turks have presented to the UN a document full of false allegations regarding the abuse of minority rights in Thrace" (ETH. 28/1). The "cunning" character of this action lies in the fact that the minority demanded the basic rights of self-determination, education and religious freedom. More specifically, the document condemns, among other things, the prohibition of the term ‘Turkish’ in the name of the minority, the stripping of citizenship by virtue of Art. 19, the religious oppression related to the fact that the muftis are appointed and not elected religious leaders, the educational problems, the financial discrimination, the destruction of the cultural heritage, as well as the crimes of hate, referring to the recent assaults against members of the minority by motorcyclists carrying chains. ["Muslims are beaten in Thrace" (EL. 8/1), "Komotini: Arrests of youngsters assaulting Muslims" (E.T. 12/1) a piece of news that only a small part of the press announced, without many comments].

The initiative taken by many foreign, international and European organizations to send regular missions to Thrace for investigation of the problems between the Greek state and the minority is considered in a similar way. These ‘visits’ are treated with skepticism and suspicion. Thus, the impression that they are part of a larger framework that results in the destabilization of the region is conveyed. The implication is that all this serves the goals of Turkey, the "spoilt child of the west," while at the same time deprives the public of objective and in depth information about the course of events in the region. EL. (3/1) refers to a mission of representatives of the American government using the following ironical title: "Autopsy of the USA in Thrace." This article generates a feeling of uncertainty by successfully reproducing the stereotype of the ‘bad’ Americans, who back Turkey up, while looking for reasons to embarrass impeccable Greece on the basis of human rights violations. Although this newspaper has a traditionally prudent attitude towards the minority in Thrace and its articles are different from the stereotypical ones in the other papers, the article mentioned above is superficial and does not consider the whole issue in depth.

The decision to abolish Art. 19 is also directly related to the exaggerated scenarios about the future of Thrace. Many people consider Art. 19 and the national self-determination of the Turkish minority as the test of the "plan for the ‘conquest’ of Thrace until the year 2015." The organized support which the Greek Helsinki Monitor offered to the stateless people, victims of Art. 19, E.T. (28/1) underlines the following: "A recent demonstration in support of the human rights of the Muslim minority in Thrace belongs to the lobby of pressure for the abolition of the article." In order to consolidate this position, a comparative approach of the status of the minorities in Greece and in Turkey is used. "The fact that the Greek population of Constantinople has disappeared while the Muslims of Thrace have increased means nothing to Turkey. The Patriarchate has become a target since Patriarch Bartholomew’s October tour to the Black Sea. Back then a number of serious incidents took place in Trapezounta. They involved the black wolves and the organizations of the extreme right, many of which are related to political parties." (E.T. 18/1). The argument that respect for the minority in Thrace is unnecessary is based on the logic ‘an eye for an eye,’ i.e. since Turkey causes problems to the Greek people in Constantinople and to the Patriarchate, Greece can do the same. The international recognition of human rights as such is of minor importance, since minorities should be used as a counterbalance for political demands and exertion of pressure.

One of the few exceptions critical of Greece’s short-sighted policy regarding minority issues is the following excerpt. It presents the position of the Greek Ambassador Mr. Zeppos. "Minorities are a bridge of friendship and cooperation between peoples; this is the well-known slogan Ambassador K. Zeppos used, in order to show that it does not reflect the political reality. He referred to the confusion associated with the Greek minority in Albania. Still, this minority is recognized by Albania. He also referred to the Muslim minority -including Pomaks and Roma- for which the word Turkish cannot be used. Finally, he spoke of the ‘alleged non-existent minority of Slavomacedonians’ and to the neighboring country, which is called by the name of its capital’" (EL. 29/1).

The comments of the Greek press on the annual State Department report on human rights, published at the end of the month, are based on the logic that Greece is constantly (and unfairly) persecuted by foreign centers. The report is characterized as ‘anti-Greek’ by ETh. (31/1), ‘reprimanding’ by K. (31/1). N. (31/1) chooses the following title: "The USA has discovered a Slavophone minority in Greece." However, there is no reference to the fact that the existence of hundreds of those "Slavophones" in Northern Greece has been present in all annual reports of the State Department since 1990. This issue has been treated in all serious Greek and international reports as one of the most important drawbacks of Greece in the domain of human rights. Moreover, the existence of such a problem has been officially recognized by a number of small political parties. E.T. (31/1), the leading paper which is hostile to the report, this time avoids both comments and criticism. The reason for the change of attitude has to do with the fact that the report criticizes the prosecution for espionage of journalists of the same newspaper by Foreign Minister Th. Pangalos. The characterization of the whole issue as an intervention of the Greek state in the freedom of expression of the press has satisfied the newspaper so much, that it has put aside its anti-Americanism for a while. "Pangalos makes a fool of himself with the espionage case." As usual, there are numerous references to the negative comments about Turkey. Many times, these references exceed the ones about Greece, giving the impression that the report does not present any problems in Greece. K. (31/1) notes: "Freedom is abused in Turkey".

As far as Greek citizens of Roma origin are concerned, N.(12/1) publishes the results of a survey on their educational problems and on the way these problems are linked to the policy of exclusion and marginalization of the largest minority in Greece. At the same time, there is an effort to show -through the survey and the report- the deeper problems of the Roma and to explain their attitude towards Greek reality. "A survey, carried out by teachers and related to the attitude of primary school students towards their classmates, Gypsy kids get the highest rate of rejection"(…) "Beggary and child labor are racial characteristics of not only the Roma, but of every social group all over the world, which is deprived of all necessities, such as food and shelter and which experiences the indifference of the state and of the society" (N. 12/1).

The implementation of the legalization and official recording of immigrants in Greece causes many problems. "Danger of ethnological overturn" (E.T. 18/1). "OAED declares incompetence" (N. 8/1). The arguments about importing minorities as well as organized crime in peaceful Greece are once again used mainly by the conservative press. The papers which are friendly to the government seem to be less skeptical and more receptive of the governmental decision. "Gunshots and insults by Turks against our people in Imia, who just ‘urged’ them to move a little bit!!! Robberies and murders throughout the whole country by illegal Albanian immigrants are met without any resistance! And it all happened on the same day." (E.T. 28/1). "There is a major problem with the alien criminals. They go about the country committing robberies, murders, trafficking in drugs and other substances, etc. 80% of the offenders of the common penal law are foreigners. Greek prisons have become …over-crowded. The imprisonment of aliens creates a major problem which should be discussed" (letter written by N. Athanassopoulos, EL. 21/1).

The other dimension of ‘peaceful’ and ‘hospitable’ Greece is underlined in the following excerpts: "Greek police were shocked when a group of neo-Nazis put a foreign registration car, belonging to a Nigerian student, on fire yesterday morning." (E.T.21/1). "49% of the population claims to be troubled by the presence of aliens in our country"; "One, out of two citizens is xenophobic" (N. 28//1). "So we should consider that not all immigrants are criminals. We should confess the common secret that the jobs of the majority of immigrants are badly paid and of low social prestige" (B 4/1).

Albania and the Albanians

The Greek press is worried about the latest incidents in the South as well as in the North of Albania. It links the past to the present and expresses its reservation as to when the country will come out of its state of violence and instability. "The violent incidents in Albania increase" (EL. 5/1). "Chaos in the Albanian South" (N. 7/1).

Bulgaria and the Bulgarians

This month the articles about Bulgaria are particularly limited. Most of them analyze the financial situation of the neighboring country and predicts further economic cooperation between Greece and Bulgaria. The Greek press is favorable towards any kind of cooperation between the two countries. "Greek-Bulgarian agreement against crime" (N. 9/1).

Macedonia and the Macedonians

Even though the fuss about the name of the neighboring -unmentionable- state has been subdued, the excessive sensitivity of the majority of the press still remains. It is with satisfaction that E.T. (18/1) states: "The Supreme Court in the state of Victoria in Australia has decided to reject permanently the appeal made by Skopian organizations against the decision of Prime Minister John Kenneth. According to this decision , the Skopians, who are members of the community of immigrants in Australia, will be called ‘Slavomacedonians’ and their language - Slavonic." Nevertheless, there are always exceptions which find their way into the Greek press (mainly as articles and statements of well-known citizens). "‘Macedonian issue’, ‘Skopian issue.’ The Slavomacedonian nation is still considered non-existent. Nations are self-determined. Nobody else makes decisions in their place. And in the case of conflict between national identities, the solution is found through negotiations for a commonly accepted settlement. One that consolidates mutual respect with no winners and defeated as in a battlefield" (article by A. Iraklides, EL. 25/1).

The incidents of violence and the problems between Macedonians and Albanians are also presented by the Greek press, which, nevertheless, avoids making comments in favor of any side. "The bombings in Skopje haven’t ceased" (EL. 7/1).

Romania and the Romanians

The articles about Romania are scarce. This country seems to be rather distant for the Greek press. The reports about it refer to its economic evolution, as well as to the results of the announced reforms. This month, due to political problems, political news comes first. "Romania: change of Prime Minister or elections" (EL. 15/1).

Serbia and the Serbs

There are references to the serious political problems of the country in relation to Montenegro’s ‘disobedience’ and to the disorder in Kosovo. "Montenegro stands up to Milosevitch" (EL. 2/1). "It is difficult to hand power over to Montenegro" (N. 16/1). "Milosevic has been preparing a coup in Montenegro" (EL. 9/1). "The Serbs in Kosovo ask for weapons" (EL. 10/1). "Terror in Kosovo, crisis in Montenegro" (B. 11/1). "There are more and more incidents between Serbs and Albanophones in the Serbian province" (K 25/1). The Albanian minority of Serbia -a majority in Kosovo- is characterized as "Albanophone," a fact which proves that the Greek press makes the distinction between Serbs and Albanians in the FRY not according to national, but to linguistic differences. This can be interpreted as an indirect indication of understanding and solidarity towards the Serbian friends and allies. Besides, the Greek state does not recognize any national minorities, so it is logical that the Greek press express their repugnance of such definitions. Similarly, E.L. (30/1) states: "Oppression is condemned. Greeks and Russians stand by Milosevic," thus referring to the decision of the Council of Europe related to Kosovo and to the different position of Greeks and Russians. Both of these countries are traditional friends and allies of the Serbs. That is why they have avoided to condemn openly Milosevic’s policy of oppression and discrimination in this key region of the Balkans. Nevertheless, the Greek state’s short-sighted attitude towards the Serbian issue -both during the war in ex-Yugoslavia and towards the Albanians in Kosovo- sometimes provoke criticism. "Mr. Pangalos compares Turkey to Hitlerism, whereas the Greek Foreign Ministry has never detected any problems in the methods of the Serbs or the status of human rights" (B 11/1).

Turkey and the Turks

The majority of the press and of the political world express particularly negative views as to the fact that Turkey blocks areas of the Aegean Sea, in order to perform aeronautical drills. At the same time, the stereotypical image of the provocative and ‘noisy’ neighbor, who has been an enemy of the Greek nation for centuries, is successfully taken advantage of. Little is known about the International Law of the Sea. Nonetheless, it is constantly evoked. In addition, the promotion of negative impressions provokes inexplicable panic in the Greek public and ‘feeds’ it with the well-known stereotypes. "Alarm in the armed forces due to the aeronautical drills of the neighboring country" (E.T. 2/1). "Crucial moments in the Aegean Sea" (N. 2/1). "Provocative drill" (ETh. 3/1). "Ankara puts forward the issue of sea boundaries" (K. 8/1). "The Ottomans, stressed by international seclusion, flew over Mykonos yesterday. They seemed to enjoy it"(…) "Every day they play it safe even over Psara. They - the anti-Christians, the morons. They even seem to know history. They -, the uneducated and illiterate, the good-for-nothing, who wish to be European citizens. Do you think it is easy to become European, you idiot barbarian woman? Your breath and your sweat still stink" (EL. 10/1). Objections, though very limited in scope, are also presented. "(…) The violations of the aerial space are counted and Turkey is condemned fiercely for not ‘recognizing the ten-mile zone.’ This is not news. News would be the existence of a state which recognizes aerial space of 10 miles and territorial waters of sic miles" (B. 11/1). It should be noted that such references are found mainly in papers friendly to the government (e.g. Vima). These papers have supported the political choices of Simitis as regards Greek-Turkish relations, his step by step approach and the Madrid agreement.

The Kurdish issue is once again popular after the big exodus of Kurdish refugees towards Greece and Italy with a view to getting to countries of Western Europe. This incident is another reason for the characterization of the neighboring country as barbarian, uncivilized, anti-democratic and anti-European. The human rights-related policy of Turkey, as well as the European ‘delusion’ in favor of Turkey are condemned. "Turkey encourages the exodus of Kurds" (E.T. 5/1). "Turks export their problems" (N. 5/1). "The EU has delusions as far as the Kurds are concerned " (EL. 8/1). The negative commentary condemns the biased Greek attitude as well. "It’s high time we wiped off our crocodile tears for the Kurdish tragedy. If it was not for our eternal hostility against Turkey, we would care for the Kurds as much as we care for the slaughters in Algeria, the extermination of Chechens by Russians or the besiege and the bombing of Sarajevo by the Serbs, our friends in the last four years."

Whenever Turkey is condemned for the violation of human rights, the papers focus on this issue -in a rather malicious and revengeful way- in order to support the image of Turkey as an uncivilized country with no respect for the principles of justice. For the most part, attention is drawn to statements of international organizations and Turkish intellectuals, who criticize the regime. "The Council of Europe: Serious accusations of torture in Turkey" (E.T. 9/1). "Turkey: the whole country is a prison" (Professor Halouk Gerger). This logic is also served by the publication of news which focuses on the ‘third world’ image of the country. "The Minister of Women’s Affairs is in favor of the virginity test". (EL. 8/1).

The arson on a church in Constantinople and the murder of the Greek church-keeper are presented in the same context. The vocabulary used is related to the Turkish domination in Greece and to the Greek Revolution (‘the faithless,’ ‘Constantinople’). Comparisons are made to the Turkish persecutions of Greeks and Armenians. "Nights of terror for the Greek people"; "Another crime by the faithless" (ETh. 14/1). "Ankara is held responsible for the murder of the 73-year-old church-keeper." (ETh. 15/1). This is an additional reason to compare the rights of the minority in Thrace to the treatment of the very few Greeks in Constantinople.

The anti-democratic and violent face of the Turkish "military regime" is revealed through the reports on the tight relationship between state and para-state. "The tight relations between the Mafia and MIT" (E.T. 14/1). "48% of the drugs come from Turkey" (N. 30/1).

All the above are directly related to the dissolution of former prime minister N. Erbakan’s Islamic party ‘Evimeria’. "Evimeria is shut down" (K. 17/1). "After Imia, the military banish ‘Evimeria" (E.T. 19/1). "Turkey follows the steps of Algeria" (E.T. 19/1). "After the military-judicial coup against the Islamic Turks, it is confirmed that Turkish barbarism has more to do with tradition than with religion and the ‘Kemalism.’ Greece does not need to limit its potential and its rights, in order to facilitate a non-democratic, oppressive and expansionist force like Turkey!" (E.T. 18/1). "The Turkish generals have been modernized: the coups in Ankara no longer begin with tanks strolling down the streets of the city, but with resolutions of the Constitutional Court" (B 18/1). "The dissolution of the biggest political party of the country, which is supported by the more fanatic and dynamic population, is neither an insignificant detail, nor a fact that generates no reaction. According to Turkish traditional policy, an even more provocative attitude towards Greece is to be expected. Thus, Turkey will attempt to defuse the crisis inside the country, so as to prevent a potential explosive situation." (ETh 19/1). " The titles of the European papers keep reminding us how easy it is for this odd game of prejudice to lead to a reversal of reality. ‘Turkey and Islam’ was the title of the article about the ‘banned party.’ Under this title -which motivates the curiosity of the reader and, in addition, generates more intense emotions- is hidden the main culprit behind the whole issue. (…) All ‘Islam’ did this week -to Turkey, as well as to almost half the planet- was to maintain peace until the end of ‘Ramadan’" (K 28/1).

The image of Turkey, as reflected by Greek newspapers, is presented in the following excerpt. This is considered to be an argument regarding the rejection of Turkey’s application for admission in the EU. "Since our neighbor is neither Christian, nor democratic, nor European, it cannot be influenced positively by the international revolution of modernization. That is why it would be prudent for Greece to get prepared psychologically, diplomatically and financially for the worst" (B. 18/1). "Turkey will be the restraining and destabilizing factor of whole Europe. It will carry its internal crises to the big European states and will claim recklessly the satisfaction of the most absurd demands as well as the domination over the area from the Adriatic to China" (EL. 25/1). The pro-government press and the representatives of the progressive political spectrum express a different point of view: "We believe that it would be a miracle if Turkey accepted the Greek proposal and recognized the authority of the Hague. Thus juridical rationalism would prevail in the relations between the two countries, who are fanatic against each other and prevent the settlement of the problem" (K. 28/1).

The letter of a reader in EL. (10/1) is typical of the excessive hysteria against Turkey and of the contempt of anything Turkish that may exist as a last reminder of a dark past. In his letter, E. Kostakis makes the following remarks regarding the use of the Turkish word ‘pazari’ (market) in law. The letter was provoked by the issuing of a professional license to participate in local fairs: "We have forgotten the Greek language. We have become Turks." (…) "For God’s sake! Was it not possible to find in Greek -the richest of all languages- a word with the same meaning as the one which has been used?"

On the opposite side lies the greeting of certain initiatives that aim to improve and consolidate the relations between the two peoples. "Solidarity of Greek and Turkish journalists" (EL. 15/1). "The Turkish National Theater Is in Athens" (B 25/1).

Abbreviations of the newspapers’ names