Greek Military Chief Opposes Economic Pressure on Yugoslavia

Greek Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos Monday expressed his opposition to the use of Balkan reconstruction as a weapon of political pressure on Yugoslavia.

"It is unacceptable to use the policy of Balkan reconstruction in order to solve a country's internal problems," Tsohatzopoulos said in an address to the Balkan Business Forum in the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki.

He stated that Yugoslavia's internal problem was a problem of democratization and it concerned the Yugoslavs themselves. The Balkan Stability Pact's Coordinator Bodo Hombach said at the forum that Serbs should get rid of President Slobodan Milosevic if they wanted to enjoy the fruits of reconstruction. Commenting on Hombach's such statement, the Greek minister said that it was inconceivable for anyone to consider holding security and development in the Balkans hostage in an attempt to single Yugoslavia out.

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