US ambassador to Greece Daniel Speckhard, addressing the 86th supreme congress of the American Hellenic Educational and Progressive Association (AHEPA) -- the biggest and oldest Greek-American group -- on Monday evening in Athens, covered a variety of foreign policy issues of particular concern to the east Mediterranean nation.

In touching on the timely issue that dominated much of the Greek foreign policy attention over the recent period, namely, the "name dispute" still separating Athens and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Speckhard said that "… I personally believe a solution can be found and that Athens and Skopje can reach it with political will and a focused effort, hopefully this year."

Referring to what he called a "top current issue" for Greece in the Balkans at the moment -- the "name of Greece's northern neighbour" -- Speckhard stressed that "… I believe that Greece is a staunch ally, one of our oldest and strongest partners. At the same time, welcoming a new friend and ally in Skopje is not incompatible with this fact. But I also understand the sensitivity of this issue. Greece is rightly proud of its ancient history, as it was known to Alexander the Great and his father Philip, whose tomb I had the honor of visiting earlier this year in Vergina.

"… The United States has consistently said it wants to see a solution to the name issue that is mutually acceptable to both Greece and Skopje, and that we would embrace whatever solution both parties could agree on," he said in inaugurating the convention, the first time in 38 years that the largest Greek-American organisation has held its biggest annual event in Greece.

Moreover, in the face of latent displeasure in Athens over the Bush administration's snap recognition of FYROM's "constitutional name" days after the US presidential election in November 2004, Speckhard reiterated that "… the important point is that the US was and still is an ally and partner of Greece, including on the name issue. When, at the end of the day, a solution could not be found that satisfied Greece, we respected their decision, and in the tradition of the (NATO) Alliance, Skopje did not get an invitation. Do we still think it important for the Balkans, Greece, Europe, and most of all Skopje to become a member of NATO to anchor stability in this region? Absolutely. But we know this can only happen with a solution that satisfies our partner and ally Greece."

Cyprus

Regarding the Cyprus problem, the US envoy told an audience of distinguished Greek-Americans that Washington supports a unified, federal, bi-zonal Cyprus.

"I am encouraged by recent talks and the willingness of President (Demetris) Christofias and (T/C leader Mehmet Ali) Talat to sit down together. They have already taken a big first step in reopening the Ledra Gate. I know many of you want to see us more involved in the process. We are willing to do whatever we can to support a successful process and conclusion. However, our support and facilitation needs to be directed in such a way that helps and does not distract or the participants in the process from meaningful dialogue and compromises that will inevitably be necessary. So you will see our support, but we will be listening closely to those closest to the situation to know how and when we can support the process."