A.N.A. Bulletin, 26/03/96

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

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 846), March 26, 1996

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca

CONTENTS

[1] EU postpones meeting on Association with Turkey

The Turkey-European Union Association Council meeting scheduled for today has been postponed, after marathon negotiations ending late last night.

The postponement was decided after the new Turkish government rejected the text on "common positions", which included all Greece's positions, agreed by the 15 EU partners.

Turkey claimed the text should not include specific terms and proposals on Greek-Turkish relations but a series of general principles, which Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos termed "vague and inaccurate."

After the Italian EU presidency's decision to postpone the Association Council meeting, EU foreign ministers agreed to the presidency undertaking necessary initiatives to have the meeting held as soon as possible and before the end of June.

"The postponement occurred because we refused any text (on common positions) which did not express principles which were firstly principles of the Community and secondly are general principles of the UN Charters and the Helsinki Final Act which have also been signed by Turkey," Mr. Pangalos said after the session.

"The Greek position is crystal-clear, does not permit doubt and nobody is about to convince us to abandon it," he said.

"The Italian presidency accepted many backstage pressures - even from non-European Union factors - to go ahead with the Association Council with Turkey but today (yesterday) it was clear that the campaign of some to convince humanity that Mesut Yilmaz h as changed from wolf to lamb failed because (he) would not accept a statement of common position which contains certain basic principles which we put forward and which are accepted by all civilized countries."

The text of the EU presidency as initially agreed by the "15" read as follows:

"As far as this issue is concerned, the Council has agreed that the following principles should apply: - the renunciation of the use of force or the threat of force in the bilateral relations - the respect of the principle of sovereignty and territorial integrity - the respect of international law and Treaties and the relevant international practice - the identification of appropriate mechanisms, in accordance with international law for the peaceful resolution of disputes, in particular the ICJ or another judicial dispute resolution mechanism on which both sides could agree - the application of the principle of good neighborly relations - the pursuance of dialogue along the lines which have emerged in previous bilateral contacts which may contribute to the improvement of the bilateral relations as well as the establishment of a crisis prevention mechanism.

"The Council invites/calls upon Turkey to commit herself to these principles."

According to diplomatic sources, Ankara did not want the statement to include the three Greek positions - which were included in their most general form in the statements made Sunday by Mr. Yilmaz himself - because it believes that the discussion on these should not be conducted on a Community level but on a bilateral (Greek-Turkish) one.

The Italian presidency attempted to push through an amended statement but it was rejected by Greece.

Italian Foreign Minister Susanna Agnelli avoided apportioning blame for the postponement of the Association Council meeting and confined herself to saying that "its convention has been moved to a future date".

She called Mr. Yilmaz's statements "significant" and said the "Council of Ministers must take them into account but it needs more time to examine them".

[2] Greece celebrates Independence Day

The 175th anniversary of the Greek revolution against Ottoman rule on March 25, 1821, was celebrated with due pomp and splendor throughout the country yesterday.

Thousands of people watched parades by schoolchildren and army units in the capitals of prefectures, while festivities were also held in towns and villages in Macedonia.

In Athens, thousands lined Akadimias Street to cheer the military parade held in the presence of President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, Prime Minister Costas Simitis, government members, opposition party leaders, the clergy and foreign representations in Greece.

"With today's parade, Greece proves its determination to defend its integrity, dignity and all its sovereign rights," President Stephanopoulos said afterwards.

In a similar statement, Mr. Simitis said the armed forces are "ready to perform their duty, the moment the homeland calls on them, with courage and determination."

Earlier, the country's religious, military and political leadership attended a te deum service at the Athens Cathedral officiated by Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Serapheim.

[3] Messages to the nation

The traditional messages to the nation by political leaders referred extensively to Greek-Turkish relations and the recent Imia crisis.

In his message, President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos expressed the hope that the crisis in January over the Greek islet of Imia gave the international community cause to realize Greece's respect for the rules of international law, as well as to recall that there were principles that could not be ignored, no matter how pressing certain interests might be.

Mr. Simitis stressed that in an era of uncertainty and fluidity, a strong Greece meant a Greece "modern, proud, secure, an equal member of the European Union, with a strong role in the Balkans, with citizens prospering in an environment where the quality of life is respected."

"For Greece to be strong, weapons are not enough, we need development, economic and social growth, radical reform and modernization of the country," he added.

Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis said in his message that "the Imia events revealed a dangerous mentality of our neighbor Turkey, and obviated our own tasks..."

"Today, more than at any other time, we have to realize as a nation that our national independence cannot be the formal product of international treaties, which pose or recognize the necessary rules ... (These treaties) maintain their prestige and force only with the will and strength of the peoples concerned."

National Defense Minister Gerassimos Arsenis addressed a warning to neighboring Turkey which "follows an expansionist policy, violating international agreements and international law."

Greece, Mr. Arsenis said, "is not willing to negotiate its internationally safeguarded rights or cede an inch of its national space in land, sea or air."

Main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert noted the existence of a "serious, immediate danger from the east", and warned against hesitation and wrong moves.

Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras called for unity on the home front and vigilance on the part of Greeks everywhere, as a duty to the nation.

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Central Committee said in its message that "the people today face a new trend of dependence due to the policy applied by the governments of the two-party system, in their collusion to implement the colonialist dictate s of the European Union, and with their participation in the aggressive actions and plans of the United States, NATO, and the Western European Union."

The Coalition of the Left and Progress said that this year's anniversary finds Greece in crisis: "The FYROM issue remains entangled in the stalemates of erroneous handling. A far-sighted strategy on dealing with Turkish aggressiveness is lacking, while the crisis in the national economy is continuing, and social inequalities are growing alarmingly."

[4] Thessaloniki

Metropolitan Panteleimon officiated at a te deum service in Thessaloniki yesterday morning, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Third Army Corps monument by Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, who represented the government, and representatives of municipal, prefectural, military and police authorities.

Schoolchildren led the parade along the seafront Megas Alexandros motorway in the presence of Mr. Tsohatzopoulos, Justice Minister Evangelos Venizelos, Thessaloniki Mayor Costas Kosmopoulos, deputies, military, police and ecclesiastical officials and large crowds of people.

Units of all three branches of the armed forces followed.

Speaking after the parade, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos and Mr. Venizelos stressed the unity and unanimity with which the people and the armed forces are facing national dangers.

"The modern-day Greek is struggling at present for the modern vision of prosperity and progress, a society of justice, Greece and Hellenism capable of defending just national causes and pursuing its rightful position," Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said Greece was in a position to face the provocations of Turkish expansionism and above all the need for a new position and a new role for Greece in the Balkans, the eastern Mediterranean and in the EU itself.

"I think that the sole possible position of Turkey, acceptable to Europe, is acceptance of the rules of international law, international agreements, demands for compliance to respect for human rights, liberties and, in any case, all the principles and values established by Greek and European civilization," he concluded.

In a similar statement, Mr. Venizelos said Turkey's sincerity would not only be put to the test on the issue of the islets but on the question of Cyprus as well, adding that the occupation of the island was a continuing crime and that the Cyprus issue w as not a Greek-Turkish difference but an international problem.

Commenting on statements made by Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz on Greek-Turkish differences on Sunday, Mr. Venizelos said "the statements by Yilmaz were made in light of today's EU General Affairs Council and in light of the EU-Turkey Association Council. I think that all this is too obvious to be convincing."

[5] Gligorov

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) President Kiro Gligorov sent a message of congratulations to his Greek counterpart Kostis Stephanopoulos on the occasion of Greece's March 25 national holiday.

Mr. Gligorov expressed his sincere wishes for the prosperity of Greece, adding that good relations between the two countries would continue to be built with common efforts.

He expressed his satisfaction at the implementation of the interim accord concluded in New York and the hope that co-operation would continue to develop for the benefit of the two peoples and stability in the wider region.

Similar messages were addressed by FYROM Prime Minister Branco Crvenkovski and Foreign Minister Ljubomir Frckovski.

[6] Greece wants concrete proof to back up Yilmaz statements: 'threats of war must be exchanged for acts of peace', Reppas says

Greece on Sunday urged Turkey to make its first move acts of peace instead of threats, in a response to Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz's call for bilateral talks without any preconditions to solve problems in the two countries' relations.

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas drew attention to recent statements by the Turkish foreign ministry regarding territorial claims in Greece's Dodecanese islands, as well as its calling into question international conventions governing the status of that region, made after Mr. Yilmaz assumed the premiership. He also noted that Turkey had not abandoned its threat of war with regard to Greece's right to extend its territorial waters.

"All these 'acts' by Turkey are illegal because they violate the United Nations Charter, the Helsinki Final Act, the European Union-Turkey customs union agreement as well as other international conventions and provisions. And they are undoubtedly hostile to Greece," Mr. Reppas said.

"Let Turkey make the first step by eliminating the source of tension that it (Turkey) created in our relations and by substituting acts of peace for threats of war," he added.

"Greece has no reason to desire friction or sources of tension in its relations with Turkey. The situation which has arisen because of Turkish aggression is extremely troublesome for the Greek people."

Commenting that Greece's past efforts to sit down at the negotiating table with Turkey had borne no fruit, Mr. Reppas said it would be pointless to resume such a course of action unless self-evident prerequisites had been met.

These were respect for international law and treaties, renouncing violence or threats of violence, and referral of disputes to the International Court in the The Hague, he said.

"Then Greece would have no reason to disagree with progress in the European Union-Turkey customs union, which Greece has approved," continued the government spokesman.

"Of course this would mark the beginning of a new climate in Greek-Turkish relations, and one which should be exploited to the full by both sides. Yet for that to happen, words are not enough. Specific actions are needed. That is what we are expecting from Turkey," he concluded.

[7] Yilmaz: Turkey wants a comprehensive peaceful settlement

Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz on Sunday called for a comprehensive peaceful settlement of Greek-Turkish differences, and said that his country respected Greece's territorial integrity and desired the application of inter national agreements in the resolution of disputes.

"The two countries' basic interests are served through peace and co-operation, not through confrontation," he told a press conference.

Speaking to the ANA afterwards, Mr. Yilmaz also addressed an invitation to his Greek counterpart Costas Simitis to visit Ankara.

Mr. Yilmaz proposed the holding of negotiations without preconditions, and did not rule out the referral of certain issues of concern to the two countries to the International Court at the Hague, or to arbitration.

"I invite Greece to begin negotiations without preconditions, with the aim of facing the questions of the Aegean as a whole," he said. "The search for solutions will be on the basis of respect for international law and agreements which define the status quo in the Aegean... Turkey has no intention of changing the status quo in the Aegean through unilateral actions and acquiring gains through de facto moves," he added.

"The talks that might begin on an exploratory basis do not prejudge the positions of the two sides as regards the essence of the problems," he said.

Mr. Yilmaz stressed that his "proposal for friendship" to Greece was not linked with the lifting of the Greek veto at the European Union-Turkey Association Council meeting, but constituted "the essential policy of the Turkish government on its differences with Greece".

He implied that "the restructuring of Greek-Turkish relations" would have a favorable influence on a resolution of the Cyprus problem.

Yesterday, the ANA's correspondent in Istanbul reported that, according to diplomatic sources, Mr. Yilmaz has sent a message to Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis explaining more fully the policy outlined in his Sunday press conference.

According to the same sources, Ankara stresses that the policy is not linked to the Turkey-EU Association Council meeting scheduled for today, but was part of a long-term process and, thus, Ankara was in no hurry for a response from Greece before that meeting.

The Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Omer Akbel earlier characterised Mr. Reppas' statements as an "initial reaction" and not indicative of a final position on the part of Athens, while the Turkish prime minister has also expressed disappointment with Greece's response to his call.

"We expected a more positive response from Greece to our appeal. Our ambassador in Athens is to meet with the Greek prime minister and he will be giving him more information as to our views on this issue," Mr. Yilmaz told a meeting of his ANAP party presidium yesterday.

[8] Opposition reactions

The main opposition New Democracy party said that for "a successful and effective dialogue (with Turkey) the issues which must be discussed should be set out, as well as the process to resolve them on the basis of international law and international agreements."

In an announcement on Sunday, ND said "Mr. Yilmaz's positions on respecting the status quo in the Aegean conceal intent to have Greece prevented from exercising its inalienable right to extend its territorial waters from six to 12 miles."

"Mr. Yilmaz leaves open the issue of tackling issues, claiming that they can be resolved in various ways and not always on the basis of international law and international agreements, and links the resolution of the Cyprus problem to Greek-Turkish differences," it said.

"If indeed Turkey wants, just as Greece does, a peaceful settlement to differences it merely has to accept and honor the signature Mr. Yilmaz placed on the Vouliagmeni Protocol in 1988. If indeed Turkey wants a peaceful settlement it merely has to stop airspace violations," it added.

The announcement noted that two weeks ago in Paris the Turkish prime minister agreed to "the disposition of Greece and Turkey to find a peaceful solution to their difference in the Aegean according to international law and international agreements."

In a similar statement, Political Spring party spokesman Notis Martakis said "today's (Sunday's) statements by Mr. Yilmaz constitute yet another ploy by Turkey in light of tomorrow's (yesterday's) European Union Council of Foreign Ministers", adding that "Turkey's provocative position to date reveals its real intentions and, despite what it is hypocritically claiming, it is pursuing aggravation in its relations with Greece."

"It is high time for some to realize that, even on our country's home front, that Ankara's intentions are in full contrast to Greece's backing down. And they should make it clear to Turkey that it is obliged to adjust in practice its attitude and its foreign policy on the basis of rules of international law if it ever wants to approach Europe."

[9] US welcomes Yilmaz statements

The United States yesterday welcomed an offer by Turkey to Greece for talks between the two feuding NATO allies and said it would consider acting as a mediator.

"We are very pleased to see Prime Minister Yilmaz's remarks. He has taken a very positive step," State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns told reporters. "There is an opportunity here," he added, noting that both Turkey and Greece have new governments.

[10] Regional NATO exercise announced

The national defense ministry announced on Sunday that an annual NATO sea-air exercise "Distant Thunder '96" will be carried out between March 26 and April 5 in Turkey, the eastern Mediterranean and in a restricted area of the Aegean Sea, with the participation of a limited number of NATO member states.

Exercises in the Aegean will be held on March 26-27.

Greece does not participate in these exercises.

[11] Turkish aircraft infringements noted on Sunday

Turkish aircraft infringed air traffic regulations in the Athens FIR and violated national airspace in the Aegean at noon on Sunday, according to reports.

In all cases, the Turkish aircraft were recognized and intercepted by Greek fighter aircraft.

There were no infringement of air traffic regulations in the Athens FIR or violation of airspace in the region of the Aegean by Turkish aircraft yesterday, the reports added.

[12] US Congressman rejects US claims over security at Athens airport

A US Congressman has rejected claims by the US transport secretary late last week that Athens international airport does not fully meet international security standards.

"Athens airport is one of the safest in the world," Congressman John Duncan, chairman of the US House Aviation Subcommittee, said in a letter to Greek ambassador in Washington Loukas Tsilas, which was released in Athens on Saturday.

"I can assure you that I would have no hesitation about flying into the Athens airport myself, and do not believe any other Congressperson would have either," his letter read.

Congressman Duncan called for an immediate amendment of the law which "forced the US Secretary of Transportation to do this to Greece."

"As Chairman of the House Aviation Subcommittee, I believe we need to take another look at this law and possibly make some changes," Mr. Duncan said.

In the letter, Mr. Duncan quoted Transportation Secretary Federico Pena as "agreeing with me that the applicable law really needs to be changed to give the Department of Transportation more flexibility when dealing with technicalities such as these.

"I told Secretary Pena that based on what I have been told, the Athens airport is one of the safest in the world. In fact, Athens airport received international recognition when it (very recently) won the coveted Safe Skies Award from the World Development Council."

Congressman Duncan concluded by saying: "I hope all the airlines based in the United States that fly to Athens will reassure their passengers that it is perfectly safe to do so... I have not been informed by any representative of any airline that they have any information whatsoever to the contrary... I am certain, because our airlines do place such a high value on the safety of their passengers and crew members, that they would stop flights to any airport if they had even the slightest legitimate safety concerns."

Greece angrily rejected the report on Friday. Transport and Communications Minister Haris Kastanidis told a press conference "that all Greek airports have specific security measures which have been recently intensified in line with international security standards."

He said his ministry in co-operation with the foreign ministry would reply to the US government, adding that Mr. Pena's observations related to the land-based control systems which were being replaced by the controls of private airline companies and Greece's national carrier, Olympic Airways. He said Mr. Pena's remarks would have no repercussions on Greek tourism.

Mr. Kastinidis reiterated on Saturday that airports throughout the country, and in particular Hellenikon airport in Athens, are absolutely safe.

Speaking to reporters in Thessaloniki, Mr. Kastanidis said he had initially been informed that his US counterpart would announce on Saturday that no problem existed at Hellenikon airport and that the two countries were cooperating in improving security measures.

Instead, he said, it was ascertained on Saturday that a directive existed to attach warning stickers on passengers' luggage on supposed security issues at Hellenikon airport.

Mr. Kastanidis reiterated that major European airline companies had stated in writing that they were ceasing their own security measures because, as they stressed, there were increased measures of preparedness and security at Hellenikon airport. He said there had been no incident causing concern for security at Hellenikon airport for many years and wondered whether those making the claims could say the same about their own airports.

Mr. Kastanidis said all were aware that apart from established security measures, the Greek government had ratified a national security regulation for the country's airports and, by virtue of a presidential decree, it had created a unified security department.

[13] Opposition reactions

The main opposition New Democracy party, meanwhile, called on the government and the foreign ministry to summon the US ambassador in Athens to explain "the causes leading to the mistaken and unfair statement by US Transport Secretary Mr. Pena against Greece concerning security at Hellenikon airport."

ND spokesman Vassilis Manginas said "the unfavorable consequences this action will have on Greek tourism should be stressed and its immediate retraction should be requested."

Political Spring party spokesman Notis Martakis said "the announcement by the US government on security at Greek airports was the first reciprocity by the Americans to the known thanks Mr. Simitis gave them 'for their help' over Imia."

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) said "the new provocative act by the US concerning the unofficial travel advisory constitutes additional proof that our country's interests are jeopardized by the policy of submission applied by the PASOK government towards the US."

In a statement, the Coalition of the Left and Progress said the unacceptable statement by the US on Hellenikon airport constituted political pressure on Athens, a blow to tourism and a negative message in light of Prime Minister Costas Simitis' visit t o the White House.

"The sudden finding of security problems at Greek and not Turkish airports constitutes a provocation insulting common logic and is dictated by cynical political expediencies," it said.

[14] Added measures for safe meat products announced

Meat products on sale in Greece will bear a label indicating country of origin as of today, following widespread fears that British beef could be infected by "mad cow's disease", it was announced yesterday. The decision comes shortly after the strict ban on the import of British beef by the agriculture ministry and is considered to be an added impetus to consumers to prefer Greek products.

"Indicating the country of origin on meat aims at helping the consumer be more aware of what they are buying," Agriculture Under-secretary Apostolos Fotiadis said in Alexandroupolis.

He said it would also act to calm fears amongst consumers which could, in turn, have bad consequences on the meat market.

[15] Moscow church says prepared to discuss Estonian issue

The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church announced on Saturday that it had put together a delegation that would have talks with the Ecumenical Patriarchate on the matter of Orthodox believers in Estonia.

The delegation includes two permanent members of the Holy Synod, chief of international relations Metropolitan of Smolensk and Kallinigrad Cyril and the Metropolitan of Kalomna and Krutici Juvenalius, as well as the Archbishop of Talin and all of Estonia Kornilius who is recognized by Moscow.

According to the announcement by the Russian Holy Synod, the Ecumenical Patriarchate is also ready for talks.

End of English language section.