Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-07-27

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Koumoutsakos outlines Greece's five points on Mideast

[01] Koumoutsakos outlines Greece's five points on Mideast

The first concerns the humanitarian problem, the second for the need for an immediate ceasefire, the third to the territorial sovereignty of Lebanon in implementation of the United Nations' decisions with the help of an international force, the fourth to the activation of the "road map" so as to have progress in the Palestinian issue, and the fifth concerns the cooperation of all the countries of the region, including Syria and Iran.

Koumoutsakos said:"The first point of the Greek position concerns the humanitarian issue and has three parametres:The immediate confrontation of the worsening humanitarian crisis, with secure corridors and definitely the coordination of humanitarian aid. The second point is the immediate ceasefire. An end to the cycle of violence. And this is necessary not only for the humanitarian aid. It is also necessary for time to be given to diplomacy so that the involved parties to be able to hold a dialogue and negotiate. This of course is not feasible for as long as the weapons are not silenced. Consecuently, the second point is the immediate ceasefire."

He said that the third point "is the sovereignty of the government of Lebanon on the entire territory and the disarmanent of the para-military organisations, as determined by Security Council decisions 1559 and 1680. And so, because it is not easy for the government of Lebanon under the present conditions to fully implement what is foreseen by the decisions, its support with an international force is expedient. Always within the framework of Security Council decisions 1559 and 1680 and with the order of the UN Security Council," said Koumoutsakos, noting that "we speak of implementation of all decisions."

Expaounding on the forth point, the foreign ministry spokesman said: "Because in the Middle East all the issues are linked, sometimes in apparent and sometimes in underground corridors, it is not possible at this moment for us to go to a full peace in the Lebanon front, without at the same time having a substantial progress on the matter of the Palestinian issue. Consequently, the international community must try to reactivate the 'Road Map'. The impasses in Palestine must be lifted."

On the fifth point, Koumoutsakos said:" Exactly because the situation is so complex, Greece believes that the logic of exclusions is not useful. The international community must speak with all in the region, those who can and want to help. In such a framework Syria and Iran could also have a role and word."

Concluding, Koumoutsakos stressed that "the strength of our country in this debate arises from two elements: Firstly, from its effective presence in the humanitarian sector and secondly from clarity and completeness of its positions which it has timely presented. These two elements were those which counted for, so that Greece be called on to participate in yesterday's (Wednesday's) Rome conference."

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