state department briefing : o "Άγιος Ευστράτιος" είναι θέμα του ΝΑΤΟ, οι ΗΠΑ στηρίζουν τη Συνθήκη της Λωζάννης

Daily Press Briefing

Sean McCormack, Spokesman

Washington, DC

March 1, 2007

QUESTION: Yes, Mr. McCormack. On the Agio Efstratios island again, in my taken question regarding the Greek island Agio Efstratios issue, I got yesterday the definitive answer from the Department of State: "The cancellation of the air force general of the exercise in the Aegean Sea is NATO issue. We support the NATO process. This is a matter for NATO to resolve." Do you agree?

MR. MCCORMACK: I do. I do agree.

QUESTION: Why?

MR. MCCORMACK: Why? Because it was -- because it's a NATO-related issue. And although it was -- you were referring to an American military officer, that American military officer is working for NATO. So it is within the context of those duties that that decision was taken. And you should, if you have any questions about this, you should talk to our colleagues at NATO headquarters about it.

QUESTION: Well, (inaudible) but my question is since the U.S. Government is signatory of the Lausanne Treaty, as I told you yesterday, what is your position vis-à-vis the Greek island of Agio Efstratios of the Aegean must be militarized or demilitarized?

MR. MCCORMACK: We fully support implementation of the Lausanne Treaty.

Mr Lambros.

QUESTION: Yes. Military once again. The Department's response to my question whether American general wearing a NATO hat should be allowed to undermine treaties like Lausanne, to which the U.S. as signatory was (inaudible) and remains so, Mr. McCormack, confusing. So allow me to repeat in a different manner my question. (Inaudible) NATO generals wearing American uniforms, being assigned political/diplomatic tasks, which in the case of Agios Efstratios means recognition of international law and implementing the treaty that precedes NATO?

MR. MCCORMACK: Well, you know, there's -- you're making several leaps in logic there in terms of violations of treaties. We're all -- Greece, the United States -- all NATO. There are many other NATO members, including Turkey, that are signatories of the Treaty of Lausanne. As for the specific question about aU.S. military officer making a decision in his capacity as a NATO official, you're going to have to talk to NATO about that. I've told you that we are signatories of the Treaty of Lausanne and we support the implementation of thattreaty.

QUESTION: New subject? And one from (inaudible). Has anybody in the Department of State raised the question how NATO -- how it can expand geographically and function before it cease being defense alliance? Of course, all we know is (inaudible) ago since been multiplying it. Do you agree?

MR. MCCORMACK: I'll have to look into that question for you.

(The briefing was concluded at 12:27 p.m.)

DPB # 36

Released on March 1, 2007