Greek President Speaks on Role In Balkan Crisis

More than 500 spectators, including former Massachusetts Governor Michael S. Dukakis, gathered to hear His Excellency Constantinos Stephanopoulos, president of the Hellenic Republic (Greece), discuss his country's international policies at the Kennedy School of Government last night.

Speaking at the Institute of Politics ARCO Forum, Stephanopoulos criticized Turkey's current rule of Cyprus but said his country will strive to continue good relations with its neighbor, out of respect for international law.

"There is no doubt that democracy is the best form of government in the world, but also the most difficult," he said, in response to an international student's question about Greece's relations with Cyprus.

The President's speech, which lasted approximately thirty minutes, dwelt on the complexity of Greece's role in international affairs in the Balkans. He focused on the regions of Macedonia and Cyprus as trouble spots for the Hellenic Republic.

Stephanopoulos gave a brief summary of Greek history, from its beginnings as the world's first democracy to its current status as a smaller world power.

"Greece is not the center of the world, and it cannot impose its way," Stephanopoulos said, garnering applause from the crowd.

"Great powers often disregard policies of international law, but it remains a privilege of smaller coun- tries to remind them of these politics," Stephnopoulos said.

Macedonia has historically been a Greek region but is currently part of Bulgaria--a fact which in the past caused considerable tension between Greece and Bulgaria.

However, Stephanopoulos assured his audience that "Greek relations with Bulgaria are smooth."

Cyprus, another formerly Greek region, was occupied by Turkey during the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and remains so today, to the dismay of Greece.

Stephanopoulos criticized Turkey for its policies concerning Cyprus, claiming "Turkey aims at bypassing the rules of international law."

"If you are wronged by the law," Stephanopoulos said, "this simply means you are in the wrong." Nevertheless, Stephanopoulos maintained that Greece "does not engage in any hostile act against Turkey."

Stephanopoulos expressed dismay at the break-up of Yugoslavia, a Balkan state, but emphasized that Greece does not want to become involved in the Bosnian conflict.

"Greece does not support the Serbs at the expense of the Croats and the Muslims," he said.

The president concluded his speech by thanking the audience for its attention, "despite my bad English."

Stephanopoulos' speech last night followed an address to Harvard undergraduates and graduates of Greek descent yesterday afternoon, where he was presented with a plaque from the Hellenic Students Society by its president, loannis Dossios '97.

"This is a special day for me, as I am well aware that I find myself in one of the most prestigious universities in the world," Stephanopoulos said

Macedonia has historically been a Greek region but is currently part of Bulgaria--a fact which in the past caused considerable tension between Greece and Bulgaria.

However, Stephanopoulos assured his audience that "Greek relations with Bulgaria are smooth."

Cyprus, another formerly Greek region, was occupied by Turkey during the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and remains so today, to the dismay of Greece.

Stephanopoulos criticized Turkey for its policies concerning Cyprus, claiming "Turkey aims at bypassing the rules of international law."

"If you are wronged by the law," Stephanopoulos said, "this simply means you are in the wrong." Nevertheless, Stephanopoulos maintained that Greece "does not engage in any hostile act against Turkey."

Stephanopoulos expressed dismay at the break-up of Yugoslavia, a Balkan state, but emphasized that Greece does not want to become involved in the Bosnian conflict.

"Greece does not support the Serbs at the expense of the Croats and the Muslims," he said.

The president concluded his speech by thanking the audience for its attention, "despite my bad English."

Stephanopoulos' speech last night followed an address to Harvard undergraduates and graduates of Greek descent yesterday afternoon, where he was presented with a plaque from the Hellenic Students Society by its president, loannis Dossios '97.

"This is a special day for me, as I am well aware that I find myself in one of the most prestigious universities in the world," Stephanopoulos said