    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 47 (Monday, November 29, 1999)]
    [Pages 2412-2417]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    The President's News Conference With Prime Minister Konstandinos Simitis
    of Greece in Athens

    November 20, 1999

        Prime Minister Simitis. Ladies and gentlemen, with very special
    pleasure, the Greek Government and the Greek people and I, personally,
    are welcoming President Clinton and the American delegation. This visit
    is confirming the historic friendship relations between the two
    countries and between our two people, a relationship that has been kept
    alive by the Greeks who have lived and are still living creatively in
    the United States, by the common struggles in other times, by our close
    relationship and partnership within the North Atlantic Alliance,
    political solidarity, and cooperation, our cooperation for our common
    goals.
        With President Clinton, we had a very friendly, open, and free
    discussion. During our talks we covered all issues, those which under
    the present situation have a certain importance from our country, for
    going from Greek-American relations to developments in the Balkans,
    Greek-Turkish relations, and the Cyprus issue. We agreed, as regards
    Greek-American relations, that there is still considerable margin for
    the improvement of the cooperation between the two countries.
        Greece, thanks to its economic renewal these last few years,
    provides new major opportunities for investments, trade relations,
    relations in the field of technology, and other areas. For the Balkans,
    our conviction is that

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    the present situation entails certain risks. Stability is necessary in
    the region, respect of existing borders, and the strengthening of
    initiatives for the reconstruction of the region, and above all, the
    implementation of the Stability Pact.
        As regards relations with neighboring Turkey, we have emphasized the
    need of deserving international law and international treaties and
    conventions. Rapprochement, steps towards rapprochement have been made
    recently. We believe that the most substantial answer is required on the
    part of Turkey to the initiatives of the Greek side.
        We have agreed that Turkey's European perspective will help
    establish closer links based on peaceful development and cooperation.
    However, its candidature could not be accepted unless certain conditions
    are met for the settlement of existing problems. As regards the Cyprus
    issue, we have agreed that talks that have just started should be
    substantive in order to lead to the settlement of this issue.
        The talks with the United States political leadership are, of
    course, self-understood. We have had a very interesting exchange of
    views, as I said, on all important issues for us. And we have also
    ascertained the friendly relations between the American and the Greek
    people, the close ties, not only at a political and economic levels but
    also at the levels of styles and culture where we believe our relations
    and cooperation should be extended. The friendship between our two
    peoples is confirmed by the substantial presence and role of a Greek
    community in the United States; successfully, it is making full use of
    all its rights as an American citizen.
        Greece is a pole of democracy, political stability, social and
    political cohesion in the wider region. Its potential is much greater
    compared to the size of the country and its population. We have
    established that it is in the interest of both countries for our
    cooperation to safeguard and promote peace development and a network of
    relations in the region that would minimize tension, and this is why we
    will pursue and strengthen our cooperation with the United States.
        This visit does not just confirm the past but also constitutes a
    guarantee for the future where, together, we can respond to the new
    challenges, the new challenges of a new era, of a new reality that is
    taking shape at the end of this century based on mutual understanding,
    equal cooperation, common resolve, and determination to face problems
    together, provide new answers, build on the values of democracy, freedom
    shared by our people, which are defended by our people, the values that
    we want to promote.
        President Clinton. First of all, Prime Minister, let me thank you
    and the members of your government for the very good meeting that we had
    today. I think the Prime Minister has summarized the results of our
    meeting quite well. I would like to add just a few words.
        First, the Greek relationship is profoundly important to me and to
    the United States because of the values and history we share; because of
    the large role Greek-Americans play in our national life, as the Prime
    Minister said. But also because of two historic transformations that
    have occurred in the last decade.
        The first is the transformation of southeast Europe from a
    battleground between East and West to a proving ground for democracy and
    tolerance in the post-cold-war world. The second is the remarkable
    transformation of Greece itself into a regional leader with a booming
    economy, a vibrant democracy, with the ability to help to pull its
    neighbors together and push them forward into 21st century Europe.
        We spoke a lot today about the role Greece is playing in the
    Balkans, with its troops in Bosnia and Kosovo, with its support for
    economic development and reconstruction, with its private sector
    investment. Greece is carrying a heavier burden in this region than
    almost any other country, but the potential payoff is very large: an
    undivided, democratic Europe, in which wars like those we've seen in the
    former Yugoslavia no longer happen. And I want to pay a tribute to the
    Prime Minister and the people of Greece for all they are doing in the
    Balkans and pledge my support for the Stability Pact and the economic
    growth necessary for this to work.
        Of course, we also spoke about the road to reconciliation and
    lasting peace between Greece and Turkey and the issues in the Aegean
    and, of course, Cyprus. I told the Prime

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    Minister how pleased I am that the parties in Cyprus have agreed to
    start these proximity talks on December 3d in New York, and how
    determined I am that they be serious talks. The goal is to lay the
    foundation for meaningful negotiations toward a comprehensive
    settlement. We should have no illusions; there's a tough road ahead. But
    we will work closely with Secretary-General Annan to ensure that the
    talks are productive.
        We talked about our growing trade and investment, about how we can
    strengthen our economic relationship further. Greece's economic renewal
    has made it one of the most attractive places in Europe in which to do
    business. I am very pleased that its progress in improving protection
    for intellectual property rights makes it possible to move rapidly
    toward settling our copyright case in the WTO.
        Finally, let me just express the great sympathy and support of the
    American people to all those who lost their loved ones in the tragic
    earthquake last August. We will not forget the heroism of the Greek
    emergency teams who pulled survivors from the rubble, not only here in
    Athens but also across the Aegean in Turkey. I am very glad that our own
    Federal Emergency Management Agency has agreed with its Greek
    counterparts to work together to strengthen their preparedness for
    future disasters.
        Let me say in closing, I am satisfied with the work we advanced
    today. We look to, as I said last night, we look to ancient Greece for
    inspiration but to modern Greece for leadership and for partnership.
    After this visit, I believe we have strengthened that partnership.
        Thank you very much.

    Turkey's Candidacy for European Union Membership

        Q. From what we know, you did ask while you were in Turkey for some
    specific move by Ankara that would match the moves Greece has done in
    order, also, to make her candidacy for the European Union easier. Do you
    have anything concrete on that?
        President Clinton. Well, I didn't think that was my role. Let me
    tell you what I did do. I spoke both at every opportunity, publicly and
    privately, before the Turkish Assembly, before the business group,
    before the group of earthquake survivors, and in all my private meetings
    about the importance of resolving outstanding issues between Greece and
    Turkey, including Cyprus.
        I specifically asked that the Halki seminary be reopened. I have
    pushed a lot of issues. And I came away believing that in the next few
    months, as all these issues are bubbling up--the start of the proximity
    talks, the debate over whether Turkey should be given candidacy status
    in the EU at Helsinki, and the continuing bilateral talks between Greece
    and Turkey--which I applaud the Prime Minister's government for his
    leadership in--that there will be an opportunity to resolve a large
    number of these issues.
        I hope that my trip there was constructive in that regard. I believe
    it was. But I would not expect the Turkish leaders to let me be the
    conduit of their ultimate resolution of this. I think that I helped to
    improve the climate, and I dealt with a lot of the specific issues, and
    I feel good about that.
        Prime Minister Simitis. Let me add two words for my part. During the
    meeting ahead with Mr. Ecevit and during Mr. Papandreou's meeting with
    Mr. Cem, we emphasized the need of certain movements and initiatives on
    the part of Turkey. And I believe that President Clinton's visit was
    important because he referred to that question, and it has helped, as
    well as the talks we had with the Turkish side on increasing awareness
    on the part of Turkey that things are not that easy. We cannot just
    expect for something to happen without doing or contributing anything
    for our part. You help yourself, and God will help you, as we say. We
    have to do something for our part, as well.

    Greek Protests of President's Visit

        Q. Sir, the demonstrations last night included extensive arson and
    damage. I want to know if you're concerned by the protests, and what you
    say to the Greeks who oppose your visit here?
        President Clinton. What was the last part of your question?
        Q. What's your message to the Greeks who are protesting, who oppose
    your visit here?

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        President Clinton. Well, first of all, I think that we have to--
    especially in Greece--reaffirm the right of people to protest in a
    democracy. Secondly, I strongly believe the protests should be peaceful,
    and therefore, I deeply regret the Greeks who had their property injured
    and who suffered losses through these demonstrations.
        But I think that the important thing is that we reaffirm the value
    of the relationship between our two countries. I think that--I know most
    Americans deeply value the relationship with Greece, notwithstanding the
    fact that almost all of the people of Greece disagree with our policy in
    Kosovo and, before that, in Bosnia. I believe I did the right thing, and
    I think most Americans believe that we did the right thing to stand
    against ethnic cleansing.
        But that doesn't affect our affection for and our support for the
    people of Greece and the Government of Greece. And I would hope that
    most Greek citizens would, like the Greek Government, believe that there
    is value in our relationship and our partnership; and that even if we
    have a disagreement, we can't allow that to undermine our relationship
    or our partnership.
        I would just say, looking toward the future, I, personally, admire
    very much and support very strongly the leadership that Greece is
    exercising in the U.N. operations in Bosnia and in Kosovo and generally
    in the Balkans and throughout southeastern Europe. And I believe that if
    we can, the rest of us, do our part to help the economy grow there and
    provide a magnet that enables these nations to pull together, that
    Greece will lead them into a very different future in the new century.
        Prime Minister Simitis. May I also point--Greece is a country, a
    democratic country where everyone can freely express his views and
    opinions. But as we had emphasized before President Clinton's arrival,
    our Constitution provides that these expressions of opinions and views
    should be made in a peaceful way and within the context of legality. And
    I'm sorry for the fact that certain people did not observe and respect
    this fundamental principle of law, the fundamental principle that allows
    our states to operate and function.
        The friendship, however, between the two people and the partnership,
    our partnership with the United States, will not be determined by these
    protests, but by our common goals, our common objectives and pursuits,
    our efforts to handle and face problems together. And the meeting today
    has shown that we share common goals and common pursuits, and we're
    trying together. This is the foundation of a friendship.

    Turkey's Candidacy for European Union Membership

        Q. Mr. President, I followed your trip in Ankara, and you seemed to
    be mostly the strongest supporter of Turkey's candidacy in the European
    Union. So do you think that the permanent conditionality of Turkey's
    candidacy should be, first, the solution of the Cyprus problem and,
    second, the acceptance of the jurisdiction of Turkey, as far as the
    Court of Hague is concerned?
        President Clinton. I'm sorry, I'm not sure I understood the
    question. Could you repeat both questions again?
        Q. Yes, one question actually. You seem to be the strongest
    supporter of Turkey's accession in the European Union. So the question
    is, do you believe or think that the permanent conditionality for
    Turkey's candidacy in the European Union should be, first, the solution
    of the Cyprus problem and, second, the acceptance of the jurisdiction of
    a Hague Court from Turkey?
        President Clinton. Well, first of all, I believe--I have said this
    already--I believe that the disputes in the Aegean between Greece and
    Turkey should be referred to the International Court of Justice in The
    Hague or to some other mutually agreed on and generally recognized
    international dispute resolution mechanism. It seems to me that that is
    the only way that either side can have a resolution of this without
    appearing to cave in rather than just to let a neutral party, respected,
    decide it.
        Secondly, I strongly support a resolution of the Cyprus issue.
    You're right. I am probably the strongest supporter in the West of
    Turkey's membership in the EU. I think I've also been the most vocal
    consistent supporter for 7 years of a resolution of Cyprus. I have

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    worked as hard as I could on it and will continue to do so.
        Now, when the parties meet in Helsinki, the members of the European
    Union--the United States is not a member--they will decide the
    conditions of Turkish candidacy if, in fact, they decide to grant Turkey
    candidacy.
        But let me say, on the larger issue, my feeling is that the more
    Turkey is integrated into Europe and has the kind of dialog that we've
    seen recently with Greece, the more the climate improves, the more you
    can resolve these issues, the brighter the future for both countries
    will be. And as I told the Turks--I'm not saying anything to you I
    didn't say there--I do not think that bright future is achievable until
    there is a resolution of the Cyprus issue. These two countries need to
    go hand-in-hand into the future. And the festering disputes have to be
    resolved in order for that to happen.
        Prime Minister Simitis. As I have indicated already, the Greek
    Government and I, personally, had a series of contacts. I have met and
    talked with all the Prime Ministers of the European Union member states
    on that issue. I have talked with them in order to determine what would
    be the best way that would allow us to overcome problems in the future.
    It would be counterproductive, I believe, if today, whilst these talks
    are ongoing, we were to focus on one or the other point or issue. This
    would not facilitate the discussion.
        I believe that in the future the time will come for us to determine
    all these aspects. But at present, restriction to one or two or three
    issues is not helpful. We must have a global approach and look at the
    final aim of this overall effort.
        Thank you.

    U.S. Trade Policy and Gov. George W. Bush of Texas

        Q. Mr. President, yesterday George W. Bush laid out his foreign
    policy priorities. Specifically on China and Russia, he said they should
    be viewed as competitors of the United States rather than as strategic
    partners. I'm wondering what your view is on that, and also, do you feel
    reassured that he has a view of the world that would make him an
    effective President?
        President Clinton.  You know, you guys keep trying to get me into
    this election. I am not a candidate. I'm not always happy about that,
    but I'm not.
        Let me say this. I think we did the right thing to negotiate the WTO
    agreement with China, and apparently, Governor Bush agrees with that. I
    think that, as with all great countries, we are both competitors and
    partners. I think there is a problem with characterizing a country as a
    competitor if that means we know for sure that for the next 20 years
    there will be an adversary relationship.
        We will have certain interests in common with China; we will have
    certain things we disagree with. We will support a lot of their domestic
    developments. We still have great trouble when people--free speech or
    religious rights are restrained.
        With regard to Russia, we have a difference, as you know, and the
    OSCE conference made clear over the present policy in Chechnya, but we
    have a common interest in working together where we can. We have served
    side by side with Russian soldiers in the Balkans; we have seen the
    Russians withdraw their troops from the Baltics; we have seen a dramatic
    reduction in the nuclear capacity, the nuclear threat there. The
    Congress just gave us the funds to continue to reduce the nuclear threat
    with Russia. And we have worked with them on economic reform.
        So I would say that in both cases there will be instances of
    competition, instances of partnership. But what we should be looking for
    is a world in which nations, including very large nations, define their
    greatness by the achievements of their people and by their ability to
    profit in their relations with other nations by bringing out the best in
    them, instead of by the traditional 19th and 20th century great power
    politics terms of defining their greatness in terms of their ability to
    dominate their neighbors or coerce certain people into certain kinds of
    behavior.
        So I think we have to imagine--I have a whole different view of
    this--we should imagine what would we like the world to look like 50
    year from now; what major countries

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    will have an impact on that; how will we compete with them; how will we
    cooperate with them; what can we do that will most likely create the
    world we want for our grandchildren? That's the way I look at this. So I
    don't have an either/or view of Russia or China. I have a both view, I
    suppose.
        Prime Minister Simitis. May I make a philosophical comment on this?
    We should not be afraid of competitors. We should be afraid of ourselves
    when we are afraid of others.

    Note: The President's 184th news conference began at 1:20 p.m. in the
    Foyer at Megaron Maximou. In his remarks, the President referred to
    United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Prime Minister Simitis
    referred to Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Minister of Foreign Affairs
    Ismail Cem of Turkey; and Minister of Foreign Affairs Yeoryios
    Papandreou of Greece. Prime Minister Simitis spoke in Greek, and his
    remarks were translated by an interpreter.