Athens , 3 March 2011

Journalist: Another issue in the news lately is Libya and everything that has happened there, all the negative events that have played out there. Let’s discuss this a little with Foreign Ministry spokesman Gregory Delavekouras, whom we have on the line. Good morning, Mr. Delavekouras.

Mr. Delavekouras: Good morning.

Journalist: I think that, with every passing day, things are getting worse with regard to Libya, aren’t they?

Mr. Delavekouras: Unfortunately, yes, the situation is very bad. It gives cause for concern, and we are monitoring it very closely. Of course, it was important that we were able to organize a successful repatriation operation for the Greeks who wanted to come back, and we managed to get everyone back safe and sound in a very difficult operation, with the exception, of course, of the member of our embassy staff who was wounded.

Journalist: Right, but that operation had its difficulties as well, there were complaints, there were various things, but let’s move on, let’s see how things stand right now.

Mr. Delavekouras: I think we need to judge something like this by the results. The goal of an operation like this is to get people back safe and sound. The operation was carried out under very difficult conditions, and we mustn’t forget that.

Journalist: What picture do we have now regarding Libya?

Mr. Delavekouras: Look, right now the situation is still bad. The country is essentially divided. We have military operations, we have victims, we have clashes. I think the international community took an important decision. The Security Council resolution showed, first of all, the unity and determination of the international community. Measures were taken that we hope will put even greater pressure on the regime. Beyond freezing assets, it is important that these crimes be referred to the International Criminal Court, and this is a guarantee that there will not be impunity; that is, those responsible for these crimes will be punished. Beyond that …

Journalist: We are starting to see a number of scenarios for military intervention in Libya, whether by the Americans or NATO. Yesterday we had the visit from the American official here. Do you think there is anything to these scenarios?

Mr. Delavekouras: We see the statements, we participate in the discussions, there are discussions taking place within the framework of the UN, NATO, the European Union. And we are constantly having meetings here – in fact, in a short while I’ll be going to a meeting we are having with the political leadership and the diplomatic service leadership, as well as with representatives of the academic community. The most important tool that the international community has at this time is to remain united, and this is symbolized by the Security Council decision, and that is where we have to put the emphasis: that for any actions from the international community, we will have to have legitimization in the form of a Security Council resolution. We need to look at all the facts. We need to be prepared. But we also – and this is very important – need to hold on to the legitimizing power of a Security Council resolution.

Journalist: If things go as you say they will – there is unanimity, agreement, etc. – and military intervention is decided upon, will Greece participate?

Mr. Delavekouras: What you’re saying to me right now is completely hypothetical, because right now the Security Council has decided to take specific measures against the regime. What we need to do is be prepared. We need to make plans so that we can confront any eventuality. But I don’t think there’s any point at this time in going into a hypothetical discussion of military operations.

Journalist: Are you looking at and monitoring the scenarios for the domino effect in other countries? The great fear, naturally, is also Saudi Arabia, right? With the oil and all that.

Mr. Delavekouras: Right now there is tension in many countries in the Arab world, and this is a point that causes concern that we need to watch very carefully. We need to remember that we are talking about a very sensitive region and that there are many who might try to manipulate these movements, which are popular social movements. These are movements that have been born amongst calls for justice from the peoples of the region, the young of the region, and they can really change the face of our region.

Journalist: Pardon the interruption, but is that also the case in Libya? Because the picture we have for Libya isn’t precisely that. In Tunisia, in Egypt, it might be what you are describing. But the picture Libya seems to me to be a little different.

Mr. Delavekouras: First of all, none of these cases is the same as another.

Journalist: Right.

Mr. Delavekouras: Each case is unique and has its own characteristics that are impacted decisively by the conditions prevailing in the country, the composition of the population, the economic and social state of affairs. So the result will also be different. The process will be different. But what we know for sure is that it will be a painful process. In Libya right now, we have war, so it can’t be compared to anything else we’ve seen so far. There are social demands, there are just demands. But we have to look at all the eventualities. The religious dimension, the racial dimension, within the context of the makeup of the population itself. We certainly can’t ignore any of this. We are talking about a fluid state of affairs, and we will see how it develops. The most important thing is for the violence to stop. The violence certainly won’t produce any results; it will create major pressures in the country itself and in neighboring countries – in Egypt and Tunisia – it will create migrant flows toward Europe. All of these things comprise a very problematic picture. And that is why the international community needs first of all to support the changes that are taking place, but also to be able to help so that these developments lead us back to normalcy.

Journalist: Right. We were talking to Foreign Ministry spokesman Gregory Delavekouras.

Journalist: A question about migrants, etc. In a civil war, when things take an extreme turn, a new cycle of migration starts. How prepared is our country for this eventuality?

Mr. Delavekouras: First of all, since the clashes broke out, Greece – together with other Southern EU countries – raised this issue at the European Council. We think that this is a problem that Europe as a whole will have to confront, and it will be a very difficult mission. Already, as you know, we have operations being carried out in Greece by European forces, and there is a corresponding presence in Italy, which has come under pressure from migration waves and refugees from Tunisia. This will not be easy, and the EU member states will have to share the burden created by this pressure, and we will need funding, infrastructure, procedures for sharing out this burden equally.

Journalist: Right.

Journalist: Thank you very much for talking to us, Mr. Delavekouras.

Mr. Delavekouras: Thank you, too.