THE
DISCUSSION ON the existence and recognition of national
minorities in Greece (a non existent topic for Greek society until July 1999) started with a public appeal by 3 minority deputies and 13
minority or non-governmental organizations for the recognition of national minorities (a
sequel to a recent appeal for the unconditional ratification
of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities,
co-signed by even more organizations), as well as with the relevant declarations of the
Foreign Minister, Mr. G. Papandreou, to the media.
THE MAJORITY OF politicians and media considered both the public appeal and the declarations of Mr.
Papandreou as harmful to the national interests. Follow five very indicative
texts. The editorials of the supposed authoritative opinion dailies "Kathimerini"
and "To Vima" and an opinion by "Kathimerini"'s
journalist covering foreign and especially Balkan issues. A general idea of the reactions
can be formed from the article of the MRG-GR spokesperson Nafsika
Papanikolatos for the Alternative Information Media Network (AIM)
as well as from the media coverage article of the daily "Athens News".
It should be noted that there were some articles favorable to the issue.
A WEB
PAGE with many more texts in Greek is available here.
A WEB
PAGE with reports on the major minorities of Greece is available here.
Public Appeals
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[18/10/1999]
Parliamentary Question to the Minister of Foreign Affairs on the Framework Convention for
the Protection of National Minorities, by Maria Damanakis
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[11/10/1999]:
Statement of the Minority Deputies Mr. Akifoglu and Mr. Birol on the Meeting with the OSCE
HCNM
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[8/10/1999]:
Minister of Foreign Affairs George A. Papandreou Meets Max van der Stoel
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[11/10/1999]:
Statement of the Rainbow (Macedonian) Party on the Meeting with the OSCE HCNM
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[23/7/1999]: Public
Appeal for the Recognition of National Minorities, 3 Minority Deputies and 13 Minority or
Non-governmental Organizations on the Occasion of the 25th Anniversary of the Restoration
of Democracy (24 July)
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[19/3/1999]:
Public Appeal of 3 Minority Deputies and 28 Minority or Non-Governmental
Organizations on the Occasion of the Universal Day Against Racism (21 March)
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Reactions
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Organization for Security and
Co-operation in Europe
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[23/8/1999]:
High Commissioner issues statement regarding ongoing discussion on national minorities
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International Helsinki
Federation for Human Rights
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[20/8/1999]:
Open Letter to Costas Simitis, Prime Minister of Greece
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Alternative Information Media
Network
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[29/7/1999]: Minorities:
Sacrificial Lamb at Greek Democracy's Silver Jubilee, by Nafsika Papanikolatos
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Kathimerini
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[30/7/1999]:
Storm rages over minority: Opposition and even ruling party members call for
foreign minister's removal, Kathimerini
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[30/7/1999]: A
lapse (editorial)
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[30/7/1999]: The sorcerer's
apprentices, by Stavros Lygeros
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Vima
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[30/7/1999]: Reason Yes, Submissiveness No!
(editorial)
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Athens News
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[30/7/1999]:
Controversial statement by Papandreou causes uproar in Greece, satisfaction in Turkey
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[25/7/1999]:
Athens offers sharp response to Muslim MPs
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