U.S., Greece to Open Base Talks
Talks on the future of U.S. military bases on Greek soil open today, but diplomats and officials said they do not expect any substantial progress until next year.
Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou and Foreign Ministry officials have said the negotations will be long and difficult. They must be completed by next July 31 or a 1983 U.S.-Greek defense agreement will expire, Greek government spokesman Yannis Roubatis said.
The pact covers four major bases and 20 smaller units for which Greece received credits of about $500 million in the first year, dropping to about $340 million this year.
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