Greece’s government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis did not actually respond to criticism of the interception of Global Sumud Flotilla ships by Israeli military speedboats west off Crete in the early morning hours of Thursday, April 30.
Instead, he chose to hide behind the briefings of the competent ministries.
During the briefing of political editors early afternoon, the government spokesman was asked several questions about the stance of the Greek government and the Greek authorities towards yet another act of “piracy” by Israel against the Global Sumud Flotilla that has caused a barrage of reactions.
The government spokesman, in the context of briefing political editors, chose to throw the ball on the podium and hide behind the briefings of the competent ministries, daily efsyn.gr noted.
Among others, Marinakis argued that there was no prior agreement between the Israelis and the Greek authorities and that the Greek ships had no right to intervene in international waters except in a search and rescue operation.
He considered it useful, however, to point out that Tel Aviv, after communication between the two foreign ministries of the country, informed Athens that the ships were leaving the area and returning to their base.
The relevant questions and answers of the government spokesman
Reporte V. SAMARA: Mr. Spokesperson, the Israeli army intercepted ships carrying humanitarian aid off Crete, within the Greek search and rescue zone. Did the Greek Government know about this operation or is there a question of questioning our sovereignty?
P. MARINAKIS: I am conveying to you the information from the competent Ministries, initially from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: “The Israeli warships moved into international waters northwest of Crete, outside Greek territorial waters. There had been no prior consultation with the Greek authorities. The Greek authorities do not have the right to intervene in international waters, except in the event of a search and rescue operation. In the event that there is a need for search and rescue, Greek ships are on full alert. Following relevant communication between the Greek and Israeli Foreign Ministry, the Israeli ships are already in the process of leaving the point and returning to their base.” And from there, I can also attach to you a corresponding information from the Ministry of Shipping so as not to waste time.
Reporter CH. AVRAMIDIS: We were not covered, let’s ask for clarification about the attack by Israel, our good ally. The Israeli army attacked the humanitarian aid ships and kidnapped their people off Crete, just below the Peloponnese. We say kidnapping because it was in international maritime waters, as you correctly said. The interception took place within the Greek search and rescue zone, however, a foreign state attacked ships unmolested, ships that were closer to Crete and the Peloponnese than to Israel itself and did something very dangerous, it cut off the communications of the ships in our own zone of responsibility. The ships, the ships of the humanitarian fleet, saw hooded men attacking them, they sent SOS signals, they opened flares, they called the Greek coast guard, but the Greek state did nothing. Was this inaction ignorance, incompetence of your government or collaboration with Israel?
P. MARINAKIS: Following on from what I said, some more operational ones, which as I said I will attach, but I am already reading them for the public’s information: “Greece as a coastal state has the responsibility and obligation to provide Search and Rescue services in the Greek Search and Rescue region (Greek SRR region), which includes both Greek territorial waters and international waters. However, the Coast Guard – Hellenic Coast Guard does not exercise police or pre-investigation competence in international waters. Its competence there is strictly limited to the coordination of Search and Rescue operations. According to the Law of the Sea, jurisdiction over ships on the High Seas belongs exclusively to their Flag State. In the context of the above, the Single Search and Rescue Coordination Center (EKSED) of the Coast Guard – EL.AKT. responded immediately to a distress call from a Flotilla vessel, while sailing in international waters beyond 60 nautical miles west of Crete. A Coast Guard patrol boat immediately went to the scene. During VHF communication with the vessel in question and other nearby vessels, their captains stated that they were not in danger and that they did not request or desire the assistance of the Greek authorities. Therefore, no further action could be taken by the Greek authorities. In the area approximately 50 nautical miles south-southwest of the tip of Tainaro (always in international waters) there were approximately 55 flotilla vessels sailing towards southern Crete and 4 Israeli warships last night. Three Coast Guard patrol boats had also gone to provide Search and Rescue, in case it was required. In the morning hours today, the Greek Joint Search and Rescue Coordination Center (EKSED JRCC) was informed by its Israeli counterpart that 17 vessels of the flotilla are abandoned/unruly in international waters and that their occupants are on Israeli warships, in good health, for further questions. A relevant list was also sent to us. The number and nationality of the occupants is not known. After an investigation by a Coast Guard vessel to verify the vessels that are actually abandoned/unruly, the Joint Search and Rescue Coordination Center will issue the required safety notice to seafarers.
More on the IDF interception Flotilla ships west off Crete HERE on KTG.
