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| The Reds Are Coming to Town; Athens hosts Soviets | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jun 9 2016, 05:44 PM (304 Views) | |
| Damo45 | Jun 9 2016, 05:44 PM Post #1 |
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It had been a few rather unsettled months for Athens diplomatic relations. On the one hand relations with the Americans were probably at their lowest in history since the foundation of the United States of America, on the other hand Athens' European partners didn't seem all that phased, with only brief mentions of the issue in British media. Perhaps Europe was ready to move forward without the Americans standing in the shadows guiding Europe in the direction that suited Washington? Athens wasn't going to wait around to find out however, seeking new relations with other nations. After all, it wasn't tied down by NATO and Washington any longer. The Greek government had been in contact with their counterparts in Moscow, and a meeting had been arranged. The Soviets were coming to Athens. This would likely create waves in Washington, and that's exactly what Prime Minister Karamanlis intended. You don't want to treat the nation whose ancient legacy has shaped your modern world, then that nation will seek new partners, even if they are your enemy. This new government of Hellenic Unity, a new party formed by two heavy weights of Greek politics, had promised to do what is in the interests of the Greek nation. And that it was. The Greek Prime Minister Konstantinos Karamanlis, and Foreign Minister Konstantinos Stephanopoulos, awaited the arrival of their Soviet guests. |
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| C.E | Jun 10 2016, 12:09 AM Post #2 |
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Comrade Mikhail S. Kapitsa | Soviet Deputy Foreign Minister Esteemed Prime Minister Konstantinos Karamanlis and Foreign Minister Konstantinos Stephanopoulos, I would like to extent my gratitude for the invitation forwarded by your government to the Soviet Union requesting a constructive dialogue between Moscow and Athens. As stated during the planning of this meeting, I would like to present my credentials and confirm that I will lead the Soviet delegation during this conference. I am personally very pleased to be visiting Athens, a historic city, and I am, as the Soviet Union, committed to constructive dialogue with any nations that seek upon such. That said, the Soviet Union is also wary about the intentions of your government. The Soviet Union will not be a pawn in internal strife within NATO and Western Alliances in order to provide basis for better terms for the Greeks prior to presumed rapprochement between NATO and Greece. Therefore, it is important that you lay forth your intentions and an agenda for this conference? |
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| Damo45 | Jun 10 2016, 02:12 AM Post #3 |
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Konstantinos Karamanlis I am honored to have you here in Athens, representing the Soviet Union, and I'm sure this will be the first of many meetings and many visits between our nations. You are well within your rights to be wary and questioning our motives, particularly following the falling out between Athens and NATO..or should I say Washington. Rest assured, we have no intention of ever rejoining the American lead alliance NATO. The contempt with which our nation was treated, which was initiated by the United States, has left a very, very sour after taste, and one that will not soon be forgotten or forgiven. In particular because, in the interest of peace and stability in Europe, I took it upon my self to make my first overseas visit as Prime Minister to Washington to meet with our counterparts there, to discuss a restoration of ties between Athens and Washington. As you would be aware, we were snubbed, after arrangements had been made and we arrived in Washington. Not even a messenger boy was dispatched. Such is the arrogance and contempt with which Washington treats the rest of the world. And not only Athens, but we have seen how they treat their closest allies with regards to armaments. For us, as a people, as a nation, it has never made much sense this so called cold war between east and west. It was only a brief time ago in history that we fought on the same side against the tyranny and destruction unleashed on Europe by Nazi Germany. We defeated one great enemy that brought so much devastation and suffering, particularly to Greece and the Soviet Union, and rather then come to a peace world, we have been pushed into a world were we are close to the brink of another, even more devastating war with even more frightening weapons. I will not try and play you for fools in Moscow. Yes, if relations hadn't deteriorated so quickly with Washington, we would not be talking today, certainly not for the reasons we are which I will outline today. Although at some stage in the near future we certainly would be talking with Moscow anyway, as I my self am a firm believer in a more united European continent, of which the Soviet Union is very much a part of even if political and ideological differences have created artificial barriers. And of course neither of us is stupid, we both know it would be greatly advantageous to the Soviet Union to establish a presence of some sort in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean to the detriment of the United States' interests, as much as it would be advantageous for Greece to become closer to a great world power such as the Soviet Union. Naturally with the removal of American forces from Greek soil, and the expulsion of Greece from NATO, a vacuum of sorts has been left. NATO's southern flank is exposed with a gaping hole in it. Personally I would have thought the Americans would have been ready to meet us and patch things up to plug this hole in their alliance back up, or at the very least other European members of NATO, given Europe stands to lose more then anyone else in any potential conflict. Cutting to the chase, ideally we would like to see co-operation between the Soviet Union and Greece on a number of fronts. We would of course like to see bi-lateral trade increased, and other economic co-operation. Naturally we would also like to see co-operation between our armed forces. I would like to see some joint naval exercises in the Aegean held at some stage this year, if it is at all possible to do so. I apologize as my defence minister is not present to advise me on this(gives a dark evil glare to one of his advisors for not having prepared the relevant notes). Over time I would like to see western weaponry, particularly that of American origin, replaced. We have a number of options on this front, as we do not believe the Americans will be forthcoming with supplies..spare parts..once present stocks run dry. It would be foolish to expect all of this to transpire once this conference has concluded. Such things will take time, perhaps several more meetings in Athens and Moscow, as the finer points will take time to determine and clarify so both our governments are satisfied with any agreements signed, as well as time for your government to grow comfortable with the idea of dealing with a former NATO member. Although dare I say it now, if the Americans continue to treat their allies with arrogant contempt, we may not be the only former NATO members seeking closer ties with Moscow. I would like to request that the Soviet Navy conduct a port visit to Piraeus(Athens) on October 28th, to commemorate Greece's entry into the second world war. Of course I do not expect a yes or no on this request right away. |
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| C.E | Jun 13 2016, 01:13 AM Post #4 |
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Comrade Mikhail S. Kapitsa | Soviet Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Prime Minister, Thank you for your reassurances. The Soviet Union believes collaboration within the field of defense and military is slightly premature. We would not be able to meet your request of making a visit to Piraeus now, as we would also like to carefully assess our needs and our relations on long-term. That being said, the staretgic importance of Greece to stability in Europe, which is constantly being threatened by Washington and as seen in Grenada, the imperialistic commonwealth, also paves the way for further collaboration. For instance, the Soviet Union will not allow Greece being stripped of its military capability due to an imposed defense embargo. In such an event, we may be able to escalate collaboration within this field. However I would like to attend the activities relating to on October 28th, to commemorate Greece's entry into the second world war, together with our Ambassador. Further to that, Moscow is willing to discuss trade and economic collaboration. While your economy does not enjoy the successes of socialism, trade collaboration could still be feasible. How does the Honorable Prime Minister view trade and economic relations in a more detailed framework ? |
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| Damo45 | Jun 13 2016, 11:22 PM Post #5 |
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Konstantinos Karamanlis Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic Let me assure you once again, and say that what we are interested in is protecting and furthering the interests of the Hellenic Republic. While other western nations may be driven purely by ideology, we do not have such..short comings. We will do and we will act with what is in the interests of the Hellenic Republic and it's people. Greece it self is a nation of many different political ideologies, including socialism. It would be our pleasure to have you in attendance for our October 28th events. Please pass on my personal invitation to Comrade Yuri Vladimirovich Andropov and Comrade Anatoly Fyodorovich Dobrynin. With regards to economic relations, essentially we would like to see the opening up of both our economies to each others goods and produce, this would involve the lowering of tariffs and import duties. Perhaps the establishment of a Soviet-Hellenic Council of Trade, to advise administrations on pro-trade policies, as well as oversee an annual trade expo. Overall we would like this to be the start of a wider Balkan and Eastern European trading group, that could in the years ahead act as a bridge between Western and Eastern Europe as trade links grow. The energy sector is an area we would like to seek Soviet assistance in developing further on a larger scale. While we have the capability for smaller operations, such as in the North Aegean at present, the previous government some time ago initiated a larger effort to tap into our natural resources. |
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| C.E | Jun 14 2016, 11:41 PM Post #6 |
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Comrade Mikhail S. Kapitsa | Soviet Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Prime Minister, I have been in contact with our leadership in Moscow. Soviet Foreign Minister Dubrynin will attend together with myself. We would be willing to discuss a treaty outlining terms for expanding trade. Such treaty should indeed include a Soviet-Hellenic Council of Trade to allow good integration of said treaty. FUrther to that, I must enquire as to whether such treaty is possible under the terms of the EEC ? When clarified, it is also our intention to welcome our comrades in Eastern Europe into participating in trade relations with Greece. As for collaboration within energy exploration we could see benefit in developing a project aiming at exploring the North Aegean. But it must be remembered that the Soviet Union does not hold extensive know-how about off-shore exploration. However we do have the innovative capacity and equipment to escalate progress within this niche industry. |
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| Damo45 | Jun 15 2016, 12:30 AM Post #7 |
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Konstantinos Karamanlis Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic That is excellent news regarding the attendance of the Foreign Minister. Preparations will begin immediately for his attendance. I do not believe the EEC has any provisions preventing member nations from seeking bi-lateral trade agreements, or expanding their trading partnerships with other nations that are not party to the EEC. Of course we would not seek to establish and grow trade relationships with non-EEC nations in a way which would violate any agreement within the EEC that we are signatories to. As such I do not believe that a trading partnership with the Soviet Union would violate any agreements. With regards to the energy sector, we are expecting the results of a hydrocarbon exploration survey any day now that was conducted in and around the Aegean, Ionian and Mediterranean seas. This will give us a better idea of the nature of our energy reserves. Once this survey has been reviewed, we will of course seek to begin operations in certain areas. Energean Oil & Gas is a Greek company that has extensive knowledge and expertise in offshore operations, as it currently operates rigs in the North Aegean Sea. With Soviet capital, innovation and equipment, a joint venture operation could dramatically increase energy production in the region. Providing a boost to both Greek and Soviet economies. |
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| C.E | Jun 15 2016, 04:39 AM Post #8 |
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Comrade Mikhail S. Kapitsa | Soviet Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Prime Minister, Very well. Will Greece present a draft for a trade agreement, which includes stipulations for energy exploration? |
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| Damo45 | Jun 20 2016, 04:56 AM Post #9 |
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Konstantinos Karamanlis Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic A trade agreement with the matters discussed will be drawn up shortly and provided to your government. Was there any matter besides what has been discussed that you wished to raise on behalf of the Soviet Union? |
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| C.E | Jun 20 2016, 05:06 AM Post #10 |
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Comrade Mikhail S. Kapitsa | Soviet Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Prime Minister, I would like to first and foremost tahnk you for the constructive dialogue we have enjoyed during this conference. Following up on this, I would like to extent General Secretary Andropovs invitation to you, meeting in Moscow June 1982 to discuss other areas of collaboration including security and defence relating to the Aegean Sea? |
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