state department briefing : πλήρης άγνοια για τον Άγιο Ευστράτιο από τον κ. McCormack

Daily Press Briefing

Sean McCormack, Spokesman

Washington, DC

February 28, 2007

QUESTION: And now on Greece. Mr. McCormack, do you know under which capacity the U.S. Air Force General Lee McFann, acting actually as Under Secretary for Political Affairs, did not allow a civilian plane's AWACS to approach the Greekisland Agios Efstratios -- allow me to spell A-g-i-o-s, E-f-s-t-r-a-t-i-o-s -- saying that it's demilitarized area except in Turkish areas against the Aegean Sea without any explanation for which the Greek Government strongly protested to the political and military authorities and NATO.

MR. MCCORMACK: You know I have no idea. You're asking me about an Air Force General and about why he did something?

QUESTION: But about a General who's taking a political action, not a military action.

MR. MCCORMACK: Well, you know, I don't know that as a fact. You're saying it's a political action. You know, why don't you go -- why don't you ask him the question?

QUESTION: It's relevant because the Treaty of Lausanne, for which you are a signatory, too, or any other treaty does not say that this specific island, Agios Efstratios, is not demilitarized area. Could you please, however, clarifythe U.S. position vis-à-vis to this matter then -

MR. MCCORMACK: I'm --

QUESTION: -- from a political point?

MR. MCCORMACK: I'm happy to look into it for you.

QUESTION: Excuse me?

MR. MCCORMACK: I don't have an answer right

now.

QUESTION: Can you take this question because --

MR. MCCORMACK: Mr. Gallegos will get back to you with an answer.

QUESTION: Thank you, Mr. Gallegos.

(The briefing was concluded at 12:44 p.m.)

DPB # 35

Released on February 28, 2007