A.N.A. Bulletin, 31/01/96

From: "Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada" <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 801),

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca

CONTENTS

[1] Stand-off in the Aegean: There is nothing to talk about, Simitis says

Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday charged that Turkey was trying to strong-arm Greece into negotiations over a non-existent issue by contesting Greece's sovereignty of the islet of Imia in the eastern Aegean.

Activity on the diplomatic and political scene continued last night to find a way to defuse the crisis. Turkish vessels were still in close proximity to the islet last night after a Turkish frigate and helicopter violated Greece's territorial waters and air space early yesterday, resulting in Greece's Armed Forces being placed on full readiness.

"The islet is Greek. Turkish claims are absolutely groundless. There are no margins for negotiations on non-existent issues which concern our sovereignty. We have asked Turkey to recall the forces," he told Parliament.

"We will not remove Greek forces, they will remain if the Turkish ones are not recalled. The Greek flag remains. There is no reason for concern. We are handling the issue with prudence and decisiveness". Late last night, an announcement from the Press Ministry said that, on his own initiative, US President Bill Clinton had contacted the prime minister to tell him of his willingness to assist in defusing the crisis.

The announcement said Mr. Simitis briefed the US president on the background to the incident and told him that the Greek government's desire was the peaceful and speediest possible end to the crisis, always with the safeguarding and respect of Greek sovereignty.

Defense Minister Gerassimos Arsenis said Greek forces had warned the Turkish frigate to leave Greek territorial waters near the barren islet.

He said the Turkish MEKO-2000 frigate was sailing between Greek and Turkish territorial waters off the island of Kalymnos, near the islet, in the Aegean after a Greek Navy warship warned the frigate to abandon Greek territorial waters.

At the same time Greek warplanes intercepted the Turkish helicopter.

In both instances, Mr. Arsenis said, no warning shots were fired, and added that the foreign ministry had been briefed on the violations and would make the necessary demarches.

Mr. Arsenis said two Turkish patrol boats were also sailing near Imia, but were within Turkish territorial waters.

Mr. Arsenis reiterated that Imia is a Greek islet and it was the responsibility of the Greek Armed Forces to defend it.

"The Greek Armed Forces are in full readiness to face any threat," Mr. Arsenis said. "We are facing the crisis with responsibility and cool-headedness."

Asked by Parliament reporters later whether "the tension with Turkey is escalating or de-escalating," Mr. Arsenis tersely replied "neither."

All coast-guard authorities on the Dodecaneese islands facing Turkey were placed on a "state of readiness".

The coast guard on the island of Kos, which is only a few nautical miles from the Turkish coast, was placed on increased alert, informed sources said.

Senior harbor authority officers left for Kos yesterday, where Greek navy vessels were patrolling the region bordering Turkey.

The foreign ministry denied reports that the Commander of NATO's southern flank, Admiral Smith, had spoken with Mr. Arsenis over settlement of the Imia row.

Sources said late last night that Mr. Arsenis had a telephone conversation with his US counterpart William Perry.

[2] Press conference

The foreign and defense ministers held a joint press conference yesterday after a midday meeting chaired by Prime Minister Costas Simitis, and also attended by Interior Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, Press and Media Minister Dimitris Reppas and the Chief of the National Defense General Staff Admiral Christos Lymberis.

Mr. Arsenis said that Imia was being guarded by internal security forces following the incident on Saturday in which two Turkish journalists took down the Greek flag on the islet and replaced it with a Turkish one.

He added that the Turkish frigate which violated Greece's territorial waters yesterday morning had still not left the area, despite Greek warnings.

Greek armed forces on land and in the air have been placed on "a high level of alert," Mr. Arsenis said, adding that a group of warships had already sailed from the Salamina naval base.

Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos stressed that statements Monday by Turkey's caretaker Prime Minister Tansu Ciller and Foreign Minister Deniz Baykal showed that Ankara "is trying to force Greece into negotiations on its sovereign rights in the Aegean" while at the same time disregarding "treaties and agreements which have remained in effect without any dispute to date, even by Turkey."

Asked to comment on Washington's call on Athens and Ankara to reach a compromise on the entire issue through dialogue, both Mr. Pangalos and Mr. Arsenis stressed emphatically that "there can be no question of a dialogue on issues pertaining to our sovereign rights."

Mr. Arsenis said that what was required was a de-escalation of tension and the sole responsibility for this lay with Ankara.

Mr. Pangalos said that the recent incidents connected with Imia were just the first manifestation of an overall Turkish plan, adding that Greece's rights were firmly based on international law and specific treaties, and Athens would use all available means "in order not to permit acts of domination on territories that belong to it."

He said that Ankara's arguments did not stand up to serious criticism, and described as "unworthy" the particular argument that the 1932 protocol signed by Italy and Turkey, delineating territorial waters in the area, "was not valid because it was not registered with the League of Nations". He explained that according to the charter of the organization, only main agreements, and not supplementary ones required registration .

Concerning the second Turkish argument, that Turkey disputed the 1947 Paris Peace Treaty "because it was not itself a participant," Mr. Pangalos said it was inconceivable that countries would recognize only those treaties in which they participated, and claimed that "Turkey did not then express a view because it was inconceivable for it to do so".

Further, he said that Greece possessed a host of other agreements and legal arguments in support of its position, and called on Turkey to show seriousness, and on the Turkish foreign ministry to stop its "further subjection to ridicule".

He produced a 1954 Turkish foreign ministry publication to reporters, which included a map showing the border line in accordance with international law and in line with Greece's assertions, even closer to the Turkish coast.

Mr. Pangalos advised Turkey to contribute to the consolidation of peace in the region and the avoidance of "regrettable" incidents.

Replying to questions, Mr. Pangalos said that Greece had already briefed the United Nations, NATO, Russia, the United States and the European Union about the situation.

He warned that things would become very difficult for Turkey with respect to the EU, adding that from his contacts with European ambassadors in Athens he had found no understanding or tolerance for Ankara's actions.

Mr. Pangalos also said that there would be a "drastic" change in Greece's behavior towards Turkey as far as the EU was concerned. He clarified that the Imia incident was totally unconnected with Greece's sovereign right to extend its territorial waters from six to twelve miles whenever it deemed fit.

After the press conference, Mr. Pangalos briefed the ambassadors of Balkan countries on developments in the Imia issue.

He also briefed President Kostis Stephanopoulos on the latest developments.

[3] NATO chief urges calm

NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana said yesterday he had spoken to both Greece and Turkey in an attempt to defuse tension between the two countries.

"I have been talking to both countries and am trying to give them the message that they have to use restraint," Mr. Solana told reporters in The Hague.

"I am trying to bring the temperature down."

[4] Opposition parties

Following a meeting specially convened to examine developments concerning Imia, main opposition New Democracy (ND) party leader Miltiades Evert described Turkey's actions as "unacceptable and provocative," adding that they "constitute a blatant violation of international law, international agreements and international order."

Mr. Evert added that the main opposition party would have no reservations on holding a party leaders meeting with the president of the republic, whenever such a meeting is needed.

He said it was the first time, after repeated violations of Greek air space and territorial waters, that Turkey had gone so far and was openly disputing national (Greek) territory. Political Spring leader Antonis Samaras called on the government to request that the EU immediately make its position known on the situation and to defend both international law and "the European territory which Turkey is today threatening."

He also urged the government to take the decision now to extend Greece's territorial waters to twelve miles "as a reply to these (Turkish) provocations".

Mr. Samaras also called for the immediate convening of a meeting of political party leaders to be chaired by President Kostis Stephanopoulos in order "to demonstrate the unity of the Greek political world in the face of increasing Turkish provocativeness."

In another development, Political Spring sources said the Imia incident unfortunately verified Mr. Samaras' warnings, months ago, "that there is an effort to promote a package solution to our national issues," under Washington's umbrella.

According to Mr. Samaras' warnings, the European partners were also aware of this attempt.

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) called on the government to request the immediate convening of the UN Security Council and the bodies of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and take all the necessary measures to defend the country's territorial integrity.

The KKE described Turkey's actions and stance as "planned" and "provocative".

Coalition of the Left and Progress Eurodeputy Alekos Alavanos sent a letter to Mr. Arsenis, calling for the EU flag together with the Greek flag to be raised on the islet.

Calling the move "a political initiative with a strong symbolic meaning," Mr. Alavanos said it would not escalate tension but give the incident political dimensions, "dimensions that are totally different to those sought by Turkey."

[5] Turkey

Turkey's acting Prime Minister Tansu Ciller called yesterday for the withdrawal of the Greek soldiers and the lowering of the Greek flag on the Imia islet.

She was speaking after a three-hour meeting, in Ankara, held with the participation of the foreign minister, the chief of the Armed Forces General Staff and other officials.

Branding Imia as "Turkish soil," Ms Ciller said:

"We want negotiations to start as soon as possible so that this issue will be debated in all UN and NATO organs."

Following a meeting with Turkish President Suleyman Demirel whom she briefed on developments, Ms Ciller said:

"We will not allow the existence of another flag on Turkish soil."

"It is not possible for Turkey," she added, "to accept faits accomplis on the Kardak islet (Imia)."

Ms Ciller said Turkey was in favor of a solution to the problem " within the legal framework," adding that "we want to solve all problems with Greece through negotiations and peaceful means."

The issue of the Imia islet was also being discussed yesterday at the Turkish National Assembly.

Foreign Minister Deniz Baykal told the Assembly "the issue does not concern solely the Kardak (Imia) islet, but it is so important that it could affect the whole Aegean regime."

During a meeting of government and army officials earlier, Mr. Baykal denied that Turkey had recognized the islet as being Greek.

A French Press Agency (AFP) dispatch from Ankara later quoted Foreign Under-secretary responsible for Greek and Cyprus affairs Inal Batou as saying that "there is no legal document confirming the Turkish-Italian agreement of 1932."

"Greece's dispute of Turkish sovereignty (of the Imia islet) is therefore unjustified on the basis of international law," he added.

The Turkish under-secretary reiterated that Turkey "is ready to go into negotiations with Greece in order to define the sovereignty of all other little islands, islets and rocky islets in the Aegean, the regime of which has clearly not been defined by international treaties."

In Ankara, Greek Ambassador to Ankara Dimitris Nezeritis yesterday asked for the withdrawal of Turkish ships from the Imia islet region, during a meeting with Turkish Foreign Under-secretary Onur Oymen.

The Turkish under-secretary said the islet belonged to Turkey under international law, and that "Turkey, under no circumstances, can accept fait accomplis."

He reiterated Ankara's wish for the withdrawal of the Greek troops and the lowering of the Greek flag on the islet, adding that "the issue can be discussed between the two governments."

[6] Activity abroad

According to reliable sources, a Greek embassy official was summoned yesterday to the US State Department where he elaborated on the Greek positions on the issue during a meeting with Assistant Secretary of State John Cornblum.

Specifically, the Greek official told Mr. Cornblum in the most categorical manner that the recent Turkish provocations constitute a violation of national sovereignty, caused harm to Greek-Turkish relations, and that Greece had to take all appropriate measures.

The same sources said that having tried to entertain and play down the significance of the new Turkish provocations in the Aegean, Mr. Cornblum proposed "cool-headedness" and "compromise."

He did not however make a specific proposal in relation to the Imia row.

According to the sources, the Pentagon was watching developments closely, while Stavros Lambrinidis, a Greek foreign ministry official, arrived in Washington for talks with senior government officials.

A US State Department official later urged both sides to show cool-headedness and engage in dialogue in order to settle the incident.

"We have urged both Greece and Turkey, to show cool-headedness and settle the issues, which relate to the Aegean, with negotiations and dialogue."

Meanwhile, sources said that US administration officials considered the new Greek-Turkish crisis "as being more serious today than yesterday," and insisting on the use "of diplomatic and not drastic means."

In Moscow, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Grigori Karasin said "new tensions in relations between Greece and Turkey could only be viewed with concern, especially when they refer to such a sensitive and inflammatory region as the Eastern Mediterranean."

Mr. Karasin said tension should not escalate and called for calm "in order to solve conflict through peaceful means, on the basis of UN principles and in compliance with international law to the benefit of consolidation of peace, security and stability in this region."

A French foreign ministry spokesman yesterday expressed the wish that "Greece and Turkey, both allies and NATO members, find a solution through dialogue to this incident."

Diplomatic sources in Paris said the status quo of the rocky islets were not "totally clear," adding that "this is one more incident triggering constant tension through the two countries."

[7] UN chief urges restraint

United Nations Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali yesterday morning instructed the international body's under-secretary for political affairs to meet separately with the charges d'affairs of both Greece and Turk ey concerning the growing tension over the islet of Imia.

The UN chief urged both Ankara and Athens to exercise restraint.

Specifically, Mr. Boutros-Ghali said he believes the best way to avoid an escalation of tension would be for each side to withdraw its naval forces from the vicinity of Imia; to avoid public statements which could encourage citizens on either side to initiate further incidents; and "to take steps to resolve differences between the two sides by peaceful means".

According to reports, Greece's permanent UN representative and Turkey's charge d'affairs undertook to relay the secretary-general's views to their respective governments.

Earlier, UN spokeswoman Sylvana Foa said Mr. Boutros-Ghali was aware that discussions between Greece and Turkey are taking place over a "small, very small isle," in response to a Turkish reporter's question if the UN chief was aware that the armed force s of Greece and Turkey were on the brink of a conflict in the eastern Mediterranean.

Meanwhile, in Strasbourg, PASOK Eurodeputy and Vice-President of the Socialist Group, Yannis Roubatis, raised the issue with the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee.

"Turkey has probably misinterpreted the EU-Turkish customs union's ratification by the EU Parliament," he said, stressing that Greece's "significant gesture to proceed with the withdrawal of the veto has obviously not been appreciated by Turkey."

Political Spring Eurodeputy Katerina Daskalaki tabled a question in the European Parliament, asking to know the position of the Council in regards to the customs union with Turkey, which aimed at bettering bilateral relations and relations of good neighborliness.

In Turkey, the "Contemporary Journalists Union" condemned the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet's action that caused the incident on the Imia islet and created tension between the two countries and called on journalists in both countries to behave according to their responsibilities.

[8] US adviser

George Stephanopoulos, US President Bill Clinton's adviser, said the White House was closely following the crisis in the Aegean, and recommended the two parties exercise restraint.

The statements were made during an interview with a Greek television channel yesterday.

Mr. Stephanopoulos said the US will continue to do whatever it can in order to guarantee peace and stability in the Aegean, adding the existence of these tensions is not in the interests of the US, NATO, Greece or Turkey.

"The US government would like to ensure that our allies will show restraint and that the crisis will not escalate," said Mr. Stephanopoulos.

When asked whether it is possible for a US representative to be sent to the area in question, Mr. Stephanopoulos said "this is something we will naturally have in mind during the coming days and weeks, but our main message at the moment towards Greece and Turkey is to do whatever they can in order to reduce the tension and to ensure we will not have any kind of confrontation in the Aegean between the two NATO allies."

[9] Evert calls for elections: 'new Gov't already old, ideas antiquated'

Main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert called for elections yesterday and criticized the government's policy statements, saying the ruling party PASOK was "old, ideas were antiquated but mutant, and most ministers had been tested and h ad failed".

"The policy statements are characterized by fragmentary positions and lack of strategy. They lack the classification of targets and prospects. They are the usual wishful thinking and a copy of past policy statements. Instead of there being a clarification of positions, there was obscurity," Mr. Evert told Parliament on the second day of the debate on the new government's policy statements.

Mr. Evert spoke of the intergovernmental conference (IGC) and customs union between Turkey and the European Union, saying that Greece found itself unable to confront it, and that the PASOK government had been humiliated.

On the question of relations with Turkey, he said Turkey had entered a political crisis, adding that "we want good relations with the neighboring country. But a dialogue without an agenda will lead to Turkey wanting to discuss the disarmament of the is lands and the partition of the continental shelf."

Commenting on the Cyprus issue, Mr. Evert touched on the question of what the government would choose first: the solution of the Cyprus issue or the accession of Cyprus to the European Union.

On the question of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), he said the prime minister's phrase that the known positions would be supported in negotiations constituted a mockery of Parliament and the Greek people.

Mr. Evert said ND had proclaimed that on national issues an indivisible national front constituted a prerequisite for success. However, he added, such a national front in no way meant acceptance and support of mistakes and arbitrary actions.

Mr. Evert referred to the need for modernization, saying that for two years ND had been calling for an amendment to the constitution, while the whole issue had remained stagnant over the past year-and-a-half.

ND, he said, had set out the path to modernization in political life over the past two years and the party had made specific proposals to upgrade Parliament, modernize public administration, justice, education, health and the economy.

Mr. Evert said that what was required for the modernization of public administration was the decentralization of the state, the creation of incentives in every activity, continuous training and additional training for staff, civil servants being hired and promoted on the basis of merit and the drastic cutback in management and departments.

He said education, culture and sciences should be declared in a state of emergency and proposed that five per cent of GDP should go to education.

Mr. Evert personally criticized Mr. Simitis for his policy at the industry ministry and spoke of conflicts in the development programme, adding that investments should be increased, Community funds should be speedily and effectively utilized, funds should be transferred to the private sector, development incentives should be strengthened and state intervention should be curbed.

He criticized the prime minister of failing to make any reference to a reduction in the cost of production, tax benefits for farmers, support for problematic regions, and announced that in the next few days ND would submit a draft law in Parliament on modernizing and developing the agricultural sector, while proposing an inter-party committee to deal with the issue of pensions.

[10] Simitis responds

Replying to Mr. Evert, Mr. Simitis said Mr. Evert's address was characterized by continuous grumbling since it presented nothing new, adding that the government did not copy it, did not want to copy it and did not want to do it.

He said modernization was a steadfast slogan for PASOK and had nothing to do with ND's technocratic modernization.

Mr. Simitis said he would submit a report by the industry ministry to prove that when the PASOK government had come to power no industrial policy had existed.

Mr. Simitis said the figures resulted from the implementation of policy.

KKE --- Athens, 31/01/1996 (ANA)

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) deputy Dimitris Kostopoulos called on the government yesterday to commit itself to relieving the working classes.

Mr. Kostopoulos called for a referendum to annul the Maastricht Treaty, an end to the "disastrous" policy of privatizations, protection for the incomes of working people, a stop to the White Paper, protection for the insurance rights of working people and pensioners and measures to protect the unemployed.

He said Mr. Simitis' address in parliament on Monday was propagandist and said he doubted the government's centre-left image. He said Mr. Simitis gave oaths of allegiance to Maastricht and aimed at implementing the White Paper.

He did not rule out the possibility of early elections, but added that they should be held with a simple proportional election system to prove the ethics and attitude of the Simitis government.

[11] Arsenis: Turkish naval forces must withdraw

In statements late last night, Mr. Arsenis said: "I had recommended calmness and a sense of responsibility, because a significant factor in the heightening of tension is a so-called war of nerves. We should, therefore, without panic and with self-confidence and self-control face this situation". The defense minister said Turkey should lessen its military presence in the area if it wanted to reduce the chances of a confrontation. He said if that happens, Athens will reciprocate and a relative calm will once again prevail in the region.

He added that Greece would recall its warships from the area if Turkey removed its naval forces first, adding:

"However, we are not willing to take down the flag from the islet, because, as I said in the morning, that territory is Greek."

Meanwhile Defense Under-secretary Nikos Kouris briefed reporters on details of the military activity in the Imia area yesterday.

On the Greek side, there are seven vessels in the region, of which three are missile carriers. Other naval units are also patrolling the wider Dodecaneese region. There are a similar number and capability of Turkish naval units in the region. During the course of the day, the Greek Air Force intercepted a total of 17 Turkish F4, RF4 and F16 fighter planes, as well as one military and one civilian helicopter.

Turkish planes violated Greek air space between the islands of Kos and Samos, while on two occasions there was engagement when Turkish planes refused to leave Greek air space. Five Turkish planes were armed with air-to-air missiles.

[12] Business world express 'guarded optimism' over new Gov't's policy statement

Reaction yesterday to the prime minister's policy statement in Parliament on Monday ranged from reserved optimism in the industrial and services sectors to clearly negative comments among traders.

Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EBEA) president Yiannis Papathanasiou said that "while the context of the policy statement as regards the economy was in the right direction, it did not contain any specific and structural measures, or intervention that will secure the success of the stabilization programme and speed up the country's development process".

He added that business expected ministers to be more specific on economic policy during the ensuing debate and stressed the need for "greater boldness in relation to the recent past".

General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) president Christos Protopapas said that the government will be judged "in practice on policy measures and the actions which will promote its implementation".

He noted that certain references, such as those to the fair distribution of the burdens of stabilization, the qualitative characteristics of growth and the need for social protection were in the direction of trade union positions.

He stressed, however, that GSEE would insist on their demands concerning a national labor agreement, pensions, unemployment, health, and social policy in general.

Concerning the draft bill on public utilities, he said it should not be tabled without prior dialogue with the unions.

GSEE sources said yesterday that in the February 2 meeting with employers on the national collective labor agreement, Mr. Protopapas was considered to be willing to negotiate only for real increases, that is, above what is considered the real inflation rate.

Other important GSEE demands include the opening of the debate for a 35-hour working week, longer annual leave, increases in compensation for dismissal, and the re-linking of pensions with wages.

Civil Servants' Union (ADEDY) president Yiannis Koutsoukos noted that the policy statement did not signal the end of the austerity policy, and that social policy required bold initiatives in the taxation system.

He welcomed the announcement for application of the 151 and 154 International Labor Agreements, but stressed that ADEDY would not accept the conversion of state enterprises from public legal entities into societes anonymes in the forthcoming relevant d raft bill.

The National Confederation of Greek Traders (ESEE) expressed "bitterness and indignation" because "as opposed to other sectors, trade was ignored by Mr. Simitis as an economic and developmental activity," adding that the small and medium size enterprise (SME) was being obliterated.

The General Confederation of Small Manufacturers and Traders (GSEBEE) said the prime minister's policy statement "left no margin for optimism for SMEs, and generally for the Greek people".

A Federation of Greek Industries (SEB) statement is expected today or tomorrow.

[13] Romeos briefs Agnelli, van den Broek on crisis

Alternate Foreign Minister George Romeos briefed Italian foreign minister and current president of the EU Council of Ministers Susanna Agnelli and European external relations commissioner Hans van den Broek on the present crisis in Greek-Turkish relations.

Mr. Romeos said both agreed that "an attempt must also be made by them (the EU) to defuse the crisis." The Greek government "is not asking for any involvement by other countries in this matter. We have our own position," Mr. Romeos said. "Given that Turkey is the provoker it is to Turkey that demarches for a de-escalation of the crisis should be directed," he said.

In accordance with how Turkey will act, we will formulate our position in the European Community regarding this country."

Mr. Romeos told reporters that one of the conditions for Turkey's customs union with the EU was the respect of human rights and the maintenance of good neighborly relations.

"We consider," said Mr. Romeos, "that with this provocation, one of the basic conditions for the customs union, that of neighborly relations, has ceased to exist."

The European Parliament is expected to discuss the crisis today, while PASOK Eurodeputies are calling for the condemnation of Turkey for its provocations in the Aegean, through a resolution they have submitted to the European Parliament's Plenary Sess ion.

[14] Albania, Bulgaria

The Council of Ministers decided yesterday to forward to the Commission an improved and broadened draft for an economic co-operation agreement between the EU and Albania.

The matter will also be discussed at the ministerial council in March.

The council adopted the Greek position that Tirana must proceed further in safeguarding interests of the Greek minority in Albania, as well as in improving their education conditions.

A discussion was also held with the Bulgarian representative, Foreign Minister Georgui Pirinski, noting the great improvement in that country's economic sector.

Mr. Romeos stated: "We are satisfied because it was made clear by the text distributed by the Bulgarian side that relations with Greece are very good, that there was a very good agreement within the framework of the INTEREG-PHARE programme, and that problems regarding its realization are mainly bureaucratic and administrative on the part of Bulgaria."

[15] Arsovski named head of FYROM liaison office in Athens

The foreign minister of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Stevo Crvenkovski, has appointed Liuptso Arsovski as head of FYROM's liaison office in Athens.

Mr. Arsovski has, up to now, held the post of alternate foreign minister and headed the FYROM negotiating team in talks with Athens concerning the adoption of a memorandum of practical measures for the implementation of the agreement reached in New York aimed at normalizing relations between the two Balkan neighbors.

Mr. Arsovski had previously held the post of consul at the Yugoslav consulate in Thessaloniki and speaks Greek.

The position of liaison office head has been vacant since January 17 when the office officially opened in Athens, at the same time as the Greek liaison office in Skopje.

[16] Balkan unionists agree to strengthen relations, upgrade co-operation

The first inter-Balkan union conference organized by the General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) ended yesterday with a promise to strengthen bilateral and multilateral relations and hold more meetings in the near future.

Nineteen trade union organizations from ten countries in the region held two-day talks on the crucial problems of peace, development, employment and trade union co-operation.

Despite objective difficulties (and the negative stance of the Confederation of European Trade Unions' representative) a joint text of conclusions was agreed on and is considered a success for the GSEE.

Trade unionists expressed support for the Dayton agreement and called for efforts to consolidate peace in the former Yugoslavia.

They condemned phenomena of racism and xenophobia, adding that all working people, regardless of nationality or religion, had the same rights. In parallel, they called for a solution to illegal labor and the immigration problem through inter-state agreements.

In addition, they said they would co-operate on all issues concerning the course towards the European Union.

An important moment in the conference was a joint statement by GSEE and Turkish trade unions in favor of peace in the Aegean Sea.

Another impressive aspect was good co-operation between trade unionists from Greece, Turkey and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

[17] Papandreou shows steady improvement

The condition of ruling PASOK party president Andreas Papandreou's health is continuing to show a steady improvement, according to a medical bulletin issued yesterday by the Onassion Hospital.

The bulletin said that Mr. Papandreou was continuing to undergo physiotherapy while the use of a respirator had not been necessary to support his breathing during the last 24 hours.

One indication of the improvement in the former premier's health is that the muscles of his lungs have begun to recover and this is considerably helping his respiration.

End of English language section.