Kranidiotis says Greece opposed to NATO searches of vessels

Athens 14/05/1999 (ANA)
Alternate Foreign Minister Yiannos Kranidiotis yesterday reiterated that Greece was opposed to NATO searches of vessels suspected of breaking the oil embargo imposed on Yugoslavia by the European Union.
Mr. Kranidiotis, who has already made Greece's position clear to the Western European Union (WEU), said Athens was opposed to the stopping and searching of vessels by NATO because it lacked any legal basis within the framework of the European Union.
Recent press reports have suggested that NATO will eventually have to abandon plans to enforce the oil blockade against Yugoslavia with the threat of force, and settle for a voluntary agreement, with transgressing countries being subjected to diplomatic protests.