Blog

Republished from 'MILITAIRE'

In the images we saw, during the events in Idomeni, it appeared that the Skopje armed (we say armed) police officers had advanced in front of the fence, towards the Greek side!! However, the Minister of Defense assured us (sic) that "they did not enter Greek territory.... and everything is under control"!!!
Let's accept what the Minister says and what the Government confirms (although they have been repeatedly arrested for lying)!! However, what no one can dispute is that the Skopjeans threw a multitude of smoke bombs and fired plastic bullets, even deep inside the refugee camp, WITHIN Greek territory, injuring some, not instantly and by mistake, but intentionally and for a long time!!
Even so, I want to ask, every institutionally "responsible" person in this country!!?
– Does this action by the Skopjeans constitute an invasion or even a hostile action against our country or not?
– Does it constitute or not a violation of our borders and every concept of International Law!?
– Did the corresponding Greek Forces intervene or not, in order to protect the people who are under the responsibility of our Country!?
– Was there or was there not a diplomatic demarche and international denunciation of Skopje for hostile action against us!?
– Does the Government believe that it was simply a violent behavior by the Skopje police against the refugees (as stated by Ms. Kyritsis's representative) or perhaps that it was a much more serious heated border incident, with broader dimensions!?
It is very important to hear how the competent Greek authorities officially position themselves on these issues, because ... in diplomacy, every doubt and hesitation creates ... previous and new data!!
Indicatively, I point out that, if the event is downplayed and considered simply as... an exaggerated reaction by the Skopjeites, for the "restoration of Order", WITHIN Greek territory (as Mr. Kyritsis said), then no one will be able to rule out the possibility that tomorrow the Turks will act accordingly... chasing potential illegal immigrants, even within the port of Mytilene!!
The worst that can happen to us is for this region to be considered as a "region of reduced sovereignty" or even as an "area out of control", in which anyone interested can enter and act at will, as the Turks do in Iraq and Syria or the Israelis do in Gaza and Lebanon.
Let me also remind you that recently, for a much more insignificant and questionable violation of their borders, the Turks shot down the Russian fighter jet and proudly raised their stature, in a much stronger country, proving that a State... does not hide behind its guilt!!
On the contrary, by such lukewarm and erratic reactions, we have given EVERYONE the right to question our maritime borders, our rights to the continental shelf and the EEZ, as well as our sovereignty over our islands!!
Finally, if such episodes, such as those on the Greek-Skopje border, are indeed so insignificant and indifferent, from the point of view of National Security and Dignity, then this will mean that … the seas that we ate, patrolling non-stop, for so many years in the Aegean were in vain and that … so many of our colleagues shed their blood unjustly, to guard and honor them!!