The Alternate Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Yannos Kranidiotis, gave an interview to BBC TV’s Jeremy Paxman, anchorman of the BBC 2 programme NEWSNIGHT.

With regard to the Kosovo crisis and its impact on his country, Mr. Kranidiotis said that, Greece being a Balkan nation, it now finds itself in a quite “sensitive” position, as it is dually affected, by both the political fallout and the economic consequences of the war. As the country is a member of both NATO and the European Union, he pointed out, Greek strategic interests lie with the Alliance and the E.U. Greece does comprehend, however, the nature of the problems in the region and wishes to maintain friendly relations with all Balkan nations. Greece, therefore, finds itself in a rather delicate position, often having to “walk a tightrope”.

Asked about the accuracy of the report that the majority of the Greek people support the Serb cause, Mr. Kranidiotis answered that he would describe the situation somewhat differently. Most Greeks, he continued, oppose the bombings, the aur-raids and the war due to a sense of insecurity caused, largely, by the proximity of the conflict to their frontiers; there is a looming fear that the crisis might spread and lead to a Greek involvement, either direct or indirect.

When Mr. Paxman observed that Greece provides assistance to the Serbs, Mr. Kranidiotis replied that Greece also gives aid to Albania, FYROM and Kosovo. Greece, he added, has the only existing network of non-governmental organisations that provide humanitarian assistance to Kosovo, something that requires prior consultations with Yugoslav authorities. The agreement we have with the Government of Yugoslavia, he said, stipulates that aid will be equally distributed among Albanians and Serbs. There are also Serbs in the hospitals, he remarked.

Asked about Greece’s intentions as to allowing the passage of NATO land forces through its territory, if such decision were to be made by the Alliance, Mr. Kranidiotis replied that the matter would be dealt with, if and when it arose. For the time being, he said, such an eventuality remains non-existent.

Finally, queried about recent anti-war demonstrations in Greece, as well as about the incident with British military vehicles at the Thessaloniki wholesale fruit-market, the Alternate Foreign Minister acknowledged the existence of popular reaction, he asserted, however, that the Greek Government is in full control of the situation.