evidence: In Athens, there was consensus that the islets were Greek – and the protection of the nation’s territories in the Aegean was the primary basis of relations with Turkey. Further, there was a popular belief in Athens that Turkey would not accept the Greek ownership of Imia/Kardak peacefully. [...] On the morning of January 30th, Turkish Prime Minister, Tansu Ciller, had announced that the Imia/Kardak islets were Turkish. This was a reversal from the previously held position that the islets ownership was ambiguous. She then called for the Greek flags removal from the islets and stated that Ankara will pursue its efforts to establish regional control. [...] However, in Article 12 of the Treaty of Lausanne, it stipulates that all islets situated within 3 nautical miles from the Asiatic coast belong to Turkey. As mentioned, Imia/Kardak are 3.5 nautical miles from the Turkish mainland.