Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 98-04-13

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] FMs of Bulgaria,Romania and Greece reiterate need for regional security,stability

[02] Constantine Karamanlis transferred to ICU after mild heart attack

[03] Firefighting equipment for Aegean islands

[04] Simitis says fov't determined to follow policy,PASOK warns against rival candidacies in local elections

[05] Synaspismos solidarity for Cuba

[06] Santer expresses satisfaction for Greece's development course

[07] Serapheim laid to rest today

[08] Tsohatzopoulos warns of reaction against Turkish-Israeli axis

[09] Pangalos tells FYROM paper name issue must be settled quickly

[10] Two border drug-related shootouts result in one death,several arrests

[01] FMs of Bulgaria,Romania and Greece reiterate need for regional security,stability

Athens 13/04/1998 (ANA)

In a joint declaration issued after two days of talks on the Greek island of Santorini, foreign ministers Theodoros Pangalos of Greece, Nadezhda Mihailova of Bulgaria and Andrei Plesu of Romania also proposed the commencement of negotiations between Be lgrade and the Albanian community of Kosovo.

They further endorsed Romania's and Bulgaria's applications for European Union and NATO membership, and agreed on further advancement of the principles of good neighbourliness and respect of international law, as well as expansion of economic,technical and police cooperation among their three countries.

In the joint declaration issued after the talks, and also in statements, the three ministers outlined the desire of the countries of southeastern Europe to upgrade their position in the international scene, through:

• Reaffirmation of Bulgaria's and Romania's desire to join the EU and NATO and speeding up the adaptation of their structures with the European structures. In that context, Ms. Mihailova explained, Greece would continue to provide training and specialisation in issues concerning the European Union and its integration, at inter-state level.
• Coordination of police services in the fight against crime, particularly terrorism and trafficking in narcotics, arms, radioactive materials and human organs, and also against economic crime. The ministers expressed support for Romania's initiative to host the corresponding division of SECI (Southeast Europe Cooperation Initiative).
• Coordination of the three countries' activities for successful settlement of the Kosovo problem, including consultations with the EU troika and all the sides concerned. On this issue, the declaration calls for the opening of preliminary talks between the Belgrade government and the Albanians of Kosovo. It also calls, in tandem, for full implementation of the educational agreement and the Dayton accords, and expresses the three countries' readiness to aid in the reconstruction of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
• The three countries also reaffirmed their dedication to the principles of good neighbourliness which, as set out in the declaration, include the inviolability of borders, non-intervention in the domestic affairs of another country, abandonment of the use of threat, and support for the resolution of any problems through creative efforts including recourse to the International Court of Justice at The Hague.
• Upgrading of infrastructures, particularly in the transports sector.
  Mr. Pangalos, in fact, spoke of "African-type infrastructure" that hindered the smooth movement of goods and people. The declaration notes the full agreement of the three ministers for advancement of sections of the major road artery that will run from St. Petersburg to Alexandroupolis which, with simultaneous upgrading of the ports of Kavala and Thessaloniki, could evolve into an attractive alternative to the Dardanelles Straits.
• The establishment of a rapid deployment deterrent force by the SE European countries. This issue is slated for discussion among the defence ministries of the countries involved in Bucharest on April 15. Although a specific reference to this issue is not included in the declaration, it was nevertheless discussed during the three ministers' talks, according to Mr. Pangalos.
• Upgrading of Black Sea Economic Cooperation, and the operation of the Thessaloniki-based BSEC bank, which opens at the end of the year or early 1999.
• The Romanian and Bulgarian foreign ministers also invited Greek businesses to invest in their countries.

This was the fourth such tripartite meeting. The first was held in Ioannina in 1995, followed by Varna in 1996 and Sinaia in 1997.

Warning over effects of Kosovo sanctions : The three ministers also said after their talks that any sanctions imposed on Yugoslavia over the Kosovo crisis should not be allowed to hurt the economies of neighbouring countries.

They warned that regional concerns should be taken into consideration by the international community if it acts against Belgrade.

"Any measures against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia should take into account the political and economic stability of southeastern Europe and should not harm the interests of the states of the region," they said.

Experts to tackle Danube bridge stalemate : The Greek, Romanian and Bulgarian foreign ministers also agreed to set up a team of experts to break the deadlock over where a bridge across the Danube that would link the region with western Europe should be built.

Bulgaria and Romania have been in disagreement for several years over where a second bridge across the Danube, which separates the two countries, should be built. They are currently connected by one bridge, which is heavily congested.

The 450-million-dollar project comes under a wider road network scheme to link the eastern Balkans, including northern Greece, with the markets of western Europe.

Mr. Pangalos said that insufficient infrastructure throughout the Balkans was one of the region's major problems, adding that the team of experts would look into what was needed and how to achieve it.

Athens News Agency

[02] Constantine Karamanlis transferred to ICU after mild heart attack

Athens 13/04/1998 (ANA)

Mr. Karamanlis suffered the mild heart attack and was placed in the intensive care unit at a private northern Athens hospital.

The 91-year-old statesman, who was hospitalised last Tuesday with pneumonia, went into cardiac arrest at 2:25 a.m., before medical staff at Ygeia Hospital restored his cardiac functions 20 minutes later. He was transferred to the intensive care unit.

"The state of President Constantine Karamanlis is showing a definite improvement..." the evening medical bulletin read.

According to attending physicians, efforts may be made this morning to try and detach him from life support systems. His heart is showing a definite improvement and has sustained no harm as a result of the heart attack.

They went on to say that a breakdown might appear in other organs' functions, primarily due to his advanced age.

It was added that the respiratory infection, which was the reason for his being admitted to hospital, is under control.

President Kostis Stephanopoulos and Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis visited the Ygeia Hospital late yesterday afternoon to be briefed by doctors on the state of Mr. Karamanlis' health.

Mr. Stephanopoulos said afterwards "I did not come here to make statements but to express my affection."

The veteran Greek statesman has a history of heart problems, mostly coronary disease. He suffered the heart seizure due to severe arrhythmia, and his condition was described by his personal physicians as "very serious".

Asked if other vital organs had been affected, doctors said that his kidneys' function was "very good", but expressed fear that the various complications could render his condition irreversible at any time.

The former head of state was also visited yesterday morning by his nephew and namesake, leader of the main opposition New Democracy party Costas Karamanlis. In addition, visitors included former premier George Rallis, former ND leader Miltiades Evert, Health Minister Costas Geitonas and Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos.

Athens News Agency

[03] Firefighting equipment for Aegean islands

Athens 13/04/1998 (ANA)

Ms. Papazoi was making a brief address at the start of a series of conferences to be held on Aegean islands at the Zimalis Foundation in Samos yesterday.

The conference was attended by volunteer forest firefighters, representatives of the fire brigade as well as local administration officials.

Athens News Agency

[04] Simitis says fov't determined to follow policy,PASOK warns against rival candidacies in local elections

Athens 13/04/1998 (ANA)

During the same meeting, the central committee reached a decision by which PASOK cadres participating in rival tickets in October's prefectural and municipal elections will be automatically expelled from the party.

On his part, Mr. Simitis said that the government is explicit in its pursuits and will not negotiate its policy, adding that "some think that they can lay down terms but they are mistaken."

He further said that targets are not negotiable because the criterion is not the occupation of power but the interest of the country.

Mr. Simitis said that what is necessary is the combined strength of all for these targets to be achieved, with unity and agreement achieved through open processes.

On the question of loss-making Olympic Airways, the country's national carrier, he said that development is unbreakably attached with the transformation of the economy's state sector.

He said that the target is not to defabricate the state but the turning of the state sector into a viable development pole which will be competitive and will benefit citizens, society and the economy.

Mr. Simitis said that these targets are necessary and their realisation is imperative because the economy cannot forge ahead rapidly unless deficits and the deficient operation of special sectors of the public sector are not curbed.

Addressing members of the so-called intra-party opposition, Mr. Simitis said that he does not accept that PASOK has been isolated from groups which traditionally supported it. He said that the government's policy is not indifferent over repercussions for working people, nor does it ignore the problems faced by citizens daily. He said that it wanted to resolve problems and secure better living conditions.

Mr. Simitis further said that the policy applied by the government is compatible with decisions taken at the congress and ratified by a popular mandate, saying that the next elections will again give victory to PASOK.

He also spoke of political reforms in all sectors and termed government policy as the sole proposal guaranteeing the country's development and entry into Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), saying that it is desired by the overwhelming majority of the people.

Mr. Simitis said that the shaping of a modern welfare state lies steadily at the centre of government policy.

"We do not need anyone to speak to us on the social aspect of our policy. We have no need for image making. We have no need for images because our history speaks for us," he said.

Central committee decision on local election nominations : Meanwhile, the central committee's decision against rival candidacies for upcoming local elections was ratified by all cadres considered as belonging to the so- called internal party opposition, except for one blank vote and one abstention.

The decision was taken following a proposal made by the executive bureau, which was presented by PASOK Secretary Costas Skandalidis and to which former deputy and substitute central committee member and former Athens mayor Dimitris Beis reacted strongly .

In his address, Mr. Beis said the candidacy of Coalition of the Left deputy and one-time leader Maria Damanaki for the mayorship of Athens was irregular with regard to PASOK's processes and claimed that this proposal follows Greek models and that in no European party are cadres dismissed for participating in elections as indipendent candidates.

Mr. Beis further said that the proposal for dismissals constitutes an effort to muzzle those who express opposition to government policy and are taking place to satisfy the plans of the present leadership group.

"All this leads to the shrinking of PASOK and are reminiscent of extraordinary court martial processes," he said.

In reply, Mr. Skandalidis said that such expressions are not compatible with the history of PASOK and considered what Mr. Beis said as never have being said.

In his address to the central committee, Mr. Skandalidis sent a message that all who will participate in municipal elections in tickets which are not supported by the ruling party will be dismissed from the party.

"It is self-evident that the capacity of PASOK member is not compatible with participation in a rival ticket from those decided by the central committee and whoever attempts it will choose a different path," he said.

Athens News Agency

[05] Synaspismos solidarity for Cuba

Athens 13/04/1998 (ANA)

The delegation conveyed a message by the KPE which stresses, among others, that the Synaspismos praises the importance of the active role and the participation of women in building a world without violence and in which the principles of cooperation, sol idarity, respect for human rights and equality of the genders will be respected everywhere and always.

Athens News Agency

[06] Santer expresses satisfaction for Greece's development course

Athens 13/04/1998 (ANA)

Speaking in Hania after talks with the government in Athens and a tour of Crete, Mr. Santer also said that the position of the Commission and himself was that all differences between Greece and Turkey should be referred for a difinitive solution to the International Court of Justice at The Hague.

But, he added, Greece's volition for this did not suffice, it was necessary that the Turkish side should also desire it.

Mr. Santer said the EU was continuing accession negotiations with the Republic of Cyprus and the dialogue with Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides.

The Commission president recalled that President Clerides had proposed the participation of the Turkish Cypriots in the island republic's delegation negotiating Cyprus' EU membership, adding:

"I am very saddened that Mr. (Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf) Denktash did not respond to that proposal".

"We are continuing the bilateral negotiations with the Republic of Cyprus. This position is clearcut," Mr. Santer said, adding that this position had been reaffirmed at the EU summit in Luxembourg this past December.

Speaking in the city of Rethymno on Saturday, Mr. Santer said that he favoured a political solution for the Cyprus problem.

"I would be happy if a political solution was found to the (Cyprus) problem, just as one has been found for Northern Ireland," he said, adding that he favoured an open Greek-Turkish dialogue so that a solution could be found and the entire island could join the EU.

Mr. Santer, accompanied by Cretan-born former premier and honorary New Democracy president Constantine Mitsotakis, national defence undersecretary Dimitris Apostolakis and local officials, visited the Vamos community, the Venizelos family graves at Akrotiri, the Archaeological Museum, the old town quarter of Hania and the Catholic church there.

He described his three-day visit to the island as "pleasant", adding that Crete was "moving decisively along the road of progress, taking the best possible advantage of the EU funds".

Mr. Santer is due to leave Crete today.

Athens News Agency

[07] Serapheim laid to rest today

Athens 13/04/1998 (ANA)

The Archbishop died Friday at the age of 85 after 23 years at the helm of the Orthodox Church of Greece.

He had spent 45 days in hospital fighting a viral infection, complicated by chronic renal failure and years of kidney dialysis treatment.

The Archbishop's body has been lying in state at the Athens Cathedral since Friday. His funeral will take place at 10 this morning, which will be followed by a procession through central Athens.

US President Bill Clinton addressed a message to the Archdiocese late on Saturday offering his condolences over the death of Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Serapheim.

A similar message was also sent by Pope John Paul II.

On his part, Harilaos Florakis, the honourary president of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), praised Serapheim in a statement on Saturday.

"He was a simple and sincere man. He hated lies and hypocrisy and was present at all crucial moments," he said, speaking of his fellow pupil and long-time friend.

The Athens Archdiocese issued a circular on Saturday by which the Metropolitan of Messinia Chrysostomos should now be referred to in church services. Chrysostomos will be the acting head of the Greek Orthodox Church until a new Archbishop of Athens and All Greece is elected on April 28.

Meanwhile, Bulgarian Orthodox Patriarch Maximos will attend Serapheim's funeral today at the head of a delegation of priests. The funeral will also be attended by other Patriarchs, religious leaders and many clerics from around the world.

Meanwhile, the Athens prefecture issued final details regarding the funeral. Mitropoleos Street will be closed as of 7 a.m., while attendance will only be allowed for official guests. The church service will begin at 9:55 a.m. on arrival of the president of the republic and will be officiated by Metropolitan Chrysostomos. Eulogies will follow.

Serapheim will be buried at the Athens First Cemetery. A 21-gun salute will be fired from Lycabettus Hill.

Athens News Agency

[08] Tsohatzopoulos warns of reaction against Turkish-Israeli axis

Athens 13/04/1998 (ANA)

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos told a meeting of overseas Greek youths in Thessaloniki that it was the inalienable right of every country to engage in trade and negotiations with any country it desired.

"But," he warned, "in the critical region we are located,it would be wise for one who looks at the economic interests alone to keep in mind that a collaboration between two countries through which the ability is provided for one to develop technologically advanced military weapons - such as Turkey is attempting through its cooperation with Israel - will create problems with the other peoples."

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said that Greece fully accepted total freedom in commercial transactions.

But when those bilateral transactions evolved into relations of military significance, "everyone must comprehend that the rationale of axes in today's strategies lead to the counter-rallying of all the others, he warned.

The security of Turkey or Israel cannot be strengthened except only in the context of the collective security of the entire region, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said.

The Greek defence minister announced that after Easter he would meet with his Israeli counterpart to discuss the entire framework of Greek-Israeli relations.

Athens News Agency

[09] Pangalos tells FYROM paper name issue must be settled quickly

SKOPJE 13/04/1998 (ANA - M. Vichou)

The Greek foreign minister's comments were published in an article in the Skopje-based daily "Devnik".

He also stated that a compromise must be found which "will satisfy public opinion in both countries" without necessarily making them "happy", which he was quoted as saying is "impossible."

"The present reality in relations between the two countries and peoples, as well as prospects for the future are so powerful that it would not be wise to stay in the world of semantics and not reality," he added.

Mr. Pangalos said that all the discussions at the UN on names have now been exhausted, and added that he would be satisfied if a solution were to be found now, since "the election period aggravates the issue", referring to elections in FYROM this autumn .

Referring to the past, he said both sides faced the problem poorly, while there were exaggerations and mobilisations as well as politicians who exploited the issue instead of trying to resolve it.

"All this is over", he said, adding that both sides must see that "they have nothing to share, they have no territorial claims while, on the contrary, they have common interests."

On the question of foreign military presence on FYROM's territory, Mr. Pangalos said in principle he is in favour of the extension of a UN peacekeeping force's mandate. He added that if the US does not send its own military forces, then a multinational force could be created with the participation of Greece as well.

Replying to a question on the existence of a so-called "Macedonian" minority in Greece, Mr. Pangalos was explicit:

"There is no 'Macedonian' minority. Those who invent it have sick minds. There are people who speak a slavic idiom, but this does not also determine the existence of an ethnic minority. Language does not constitute a special characteristic of nationality in the Balkans," he underlined.

Athens News Agency

[10] Two border drug-related shootouts result in one death,several arrests

Athens 13/04/1998 (ANA)

A second Albanian was seriously injured and one police officer was slightly wounded.

In two separate incidents, four people were arrested, while two kilos of cocaine, five kilos of hashish, two Kalashnikov rifles and hand-grenades were seized.

Police first arrested two Albanians, Andreas Michos, 34, and Ahmet Tzoni, 37, in Florina shortly after midnight Saturday and seized one kilo of cocaine. A taxi driver, Georgios Vrantzis, was also arrested.

Police pointed to Michos as the ring leader.

In a later incident at dawn, a gunbattle broke out between police and a gang of alleged Albanian drug smugglers in the border area of Agia Kyriaki, Kastoria.

In the exchange of fire, Albanian national Oltsi Teroli, 25, was fatally wounded and his compatriot Dala Skender, 29, was seriously injured and taken by police to a hospital in Kastoria, where he is under heavy guard. Three of their accomplices managed to escape and are believed to have crossed back into Albania. Police seized one kilo of cocaine, five kilos of hashish, two hand-grenades and two Kalashnikov rifles.

Athens News Agency

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