Developments with the Ethnika themata lead this bulletin. U.N. Special envoy Mathew Nimetz proposed compromise (Republika Makedonija Skopje) to end the name deadlock between Hellas and FYROM has been greeted positively by Athens and rejected by Skopje. The proposal is worse than previous suggestions but better than the present situation where FYROM has been formally recognised by many countries including the 3 U.N Security Council giants as �Macedonia� and is the common usage of the media. However, the proposed name is cumbersome and thus more often than not the �Skopje� part will be dropped for convenience or space. There are also other negative aspects to the proposal � Hellas cannot refer to its province in international relations, (ii) it is not clear that FYROM will be obliged to change its Constitution and (iii) the residents of FYROM will be referred to as �Macedonians� and the language as �Macedonian� whilst the residents of historic Macedonia will be referred to as �Greek Macedonians�. FYROM�S intransigence to negotiate a compromise name will put it under pressure from the EU and USA which need Hellas� approval for FYROM�S entry to NATO and EU on the one hand and its support for the imminent developments in Kosovo on the other. Meanwhile, Turkey has agreed to sign the Customs Union with CYPRUS but states that it relates only to goods and not �services� and therefore will not allow Cypriot planes to fly over Turkish airspace or Cypriot ships to dock in Turkish ports! Further, Turkey asserts its obligation is only to sign the customs union protocol but is not obliged to implement it, and in any event cannot be implemented until ratification by the Turkish Parliament. On the positive side is the latest decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) to reject Turkey�s assertion that Greek Cypriots had a domestic remedy available to them for compensation for the loss of their property in the occupied territory. This opens the way for further �Lozidou� type applications against Turkey in the ECHR. (Turkey was forced to pay compensation to Tina Lozidou for the loss of use of her property in Kyrenia). The decision also justifies the �no� vote to the Annan Plan. On the downside is the failure to make mention of the 1974 invasion and denial of the human rights of Greek Cypriots arising therefrom in the 2004 UN Report on Human Rights relating to Cyprus. It even omits to mention actions taken by individuals against Turkey in the ECHR as it did in all the previous annual reports. April also marked the 50th anniversary of the commencement of the struggle for Cypriot freedom � a struggle that will continue until that freedom is achieved! Turkey, in the meantime continues to violate Hellenic airspace and territorial waters at the time the Hellenic Foreign Minister is in Ankara! In another breath there is talk of lifting the casus Belli of 1995 (Turkey�s Parliament declared that it would go to war if Hellas exercised its lawful right to extend its territorial waters in accordance with international law). Such a declaration, of course, violates Article 2 of the UN Charter which prohibits threats of war, not to mention that it is hardly conducive to good neighbourly relations especially a neighbour upon whom you are dependant for entry to the EU. In a positive development for Greco-Albanian relations a Greek school has opened in Korytsa. And, after 13 years of negotiations a historic memorandum was signed between Russia, Bulgaria and Hellas for the construction of a pipeline between Burgas and Alexandroupolis to transport Russian oil from the Caspian to the Aegean Sea and hence to markets worldwide. The project is of major importance for the energy needs of the region but also a boost for the economic, strategic and cultural relations between the three nations. Finally, the preservation of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem in Hellenic hands is also of major importance for the ethnos.
Commemorations
The 90th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing was a moving experience for all Australians and a reminder of the futility of war. Few realise that apart from Britain and France, Hellas is the only European Country with which the Anzacs have fought side by side in both world wars and that there are allied cemeteries in Lemnos, Athens and Crete.
The bonds were strengthened during World War II with the Battle of Crete, which will be commemorated throughout Australia, NZ, Hellas and Britain between 20-28 May. Also during May, we commemorate the Pontian Genocide, which successive Turkish Governments refuse to recognise just as they do in respect to the Armenian Genocide. What cannot be denied is that when the Turks conquered the territory today called Turkey its population was 99% Christian � today Christians represent less than 0.1% of the population. Where did they go? Finally, during May we celebrate the liberation of Western Thrace. Let us support the functions organised by our Cretan, Pontian and Thracian brothers.
SAE ON THE GO
� For years SAE has been lobbying the Hellenic Government in relation to the obligations of the Apodimoi for military service and there have been gradual improvements. Defence Minister Spiliotopoulos is considering reducing military duty for Apodimoi to 3 months (instead of the present 6) and those over 35 years of age to be able to buy out their obligations.
� In relation to the long outstanding Social Security Agreement between Australia and Hellas SAE Oceania continues to pressure both governments. Ministers Patterson and Panayiotopoulos met in Paris and both agreed they would try and speed up the process. Senator Patterson has responded to SAE Oceania�s concerns that she awaits a formal response from her counterpart.
� In the former Soviet Union countries of Georgia, Armenia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan SAE has recently distributed food packages and to date has offered medicinals and equipment worth $100million (Aus). 2004 was a record year in which more than 600,000 patients received more than 2 million medical services.
� A new Treaty has come into effect between Hellas and Australia to facilitate co-operation in combating crime. SAE Oceania has been urging ratification of the treaty, which was signed in July 2002.
Jottings
� Applications for 40 postgraduate scholarships in Hellas for the 2005-2006 academic year close on 15 May 2005. For more details visit www.iky.gr or call the educational office of the Greek Consulates.
� The Greek Treasures from the Benaki Museum will open at Sydney�s Powerhouse Museum on 6/5 and run to July. The exhibition will then move to Melbourne.
� The Australian Hellenic Council Conference will be held in Canberra on 17-20 June 2005. For more details contact Panayioti Diamadis - email [email protected] or Helleni Sioustis � email [email protected].
� Flinders University will be holding the 6th Modern Greek Studies Conference in Adelaide on 24-26 June. For more details contact � Mary. Skaltsas @flinders.edu.au
� Sections of the ancient city of Pergamum in Turkey will be buried forever under tonnes of water later this year with the construction of a new dam.
� EPA 5 � The �Voice of Greece� can be heard in its entirety on www.voiceofgreece.gr.
� Remember to support the call for the return of the Parthenon Marbles by clicking in on our electronic petition linked to the UK Parliament on www.saeociania.org.au and for the re-opening of the Halki Theological College on htt//www.Greece.org/themis/halki; and to subscribe to the Hellenic Credit Card � the only one that assists Hellenism every time you use it.
This newsletter ends on two unhappy notes � (i) the need to bridge the divide between Archdiocese and Community. The situation has deteriorated once again in the last 6 weeks. Both sides have an obligation to Hellenism to heal the rift. (ii) The hotheads who misbehave at soccer matches with Slav Macedonians do not defend historic truths but defame Hellenism and do our community a disservice. Hellenism�s eternal ideals promote tolerance, free speech and thought and the search for truth through discourse not violence.
STAY IN TOUCH!
Costa Vertzayias 2 May 2005
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