Greek Minister Speaks on Diplomacy

"With a minimum of good will and faith our problems with Turkey with regard to Cyprus can be solved" Greece's minister of defense said last night in a speech at the Harvard Club of Boston.

Evangelos Averoff addressed a large crowd of Harvard dignitaries and members of the Boston Greek community on his country's foreign policy.

Averoff said that though hopes for improved relations with Turkey have been ruined in the past, by avoiding provocations while "extending a hand of friendship," Greece's desire for peace with its eastern neighbor can be realized.

Averoff said that Turkey's current claims on certain disputed oil-rich islands in the Aegean Sea would not be accepted by Greece.

"If they want what they seem to want an agreement cannot be reached," he said.

Regarding Greece's relations with the "free world," Averoff explained Greece's unique geographical position and historical circumstances and the importance of maintaining a democratic government in Greece.

"Greece is at the crossroads of Europe, of international seaways, and of conflicting ideologies. Continents are to us what provinces were to our fathers."

On the topic of international defense, Averoff said that despite the apparent nuclear stalemate, warfare by classical arms is still possible and still dangerous, especially for small countries like Greece.

In his speech and during the question session that followed, Averoff avoided comment on his country's internal politics. He concentrated instead on the themes of hopes for improved relations with the United States and Turkey.

The minister is expected to meet with Gov. Michael S. Dukakis and various members of the Harvard Greek community tomorrow and Saturday before he leaves Boston to continue his speaking tour on Sunday.