[01] GREECE RAISES OFFICIALLY THE ISSUE OF GERMAN OCCUPATION LOAN

[02] A NEW SESSION OF THE PASOK MPs NEXT MONDAY

[03] US PRESIDENT EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER LACK OF PROGRESS =88=8C CYPRUS

[04] COMMUNIQUE ON CYPRUS ISSUED BY THE COMMONWEALTH

[05] THE GREEK PRESIDENT WILL VISIT BULGARIA ON NOVEMBER 20-22

[06] THE GREEK EXPORTS TO MEDITERRANEAN COUNTRIES INCREASED 18,8%

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[01] GREECE RAISES OFFICIALLY THE ISSUE OF GERMAN OCCUPATION LOAN

Greek Prime Minister mr Andreas Papandreou confirmed today officially the information according to which Greece has decided to raise officially the issue of the compulsory loan German occupation forces received from Greece during the second world war as well as the issue of the war indemnities owed to Greece since then.

Addressing the parliamentary group of PASOK mr Papandreou stated that the greek Foreign Ministry has started procedures aiming at raising the issues of the occupation loan and the german war reparations at interstate level.

Prime Minister Papandreou said that Greece raises those issues with seriousness and responsibility, based on International Law principles and he expressed the hope that an understanding could be reached with Germany, a state - member of the European Union.

According to reliable sources, the official raising of the issue will take place with a note the greek ambassador to Bonn will deliver to the german Foreign Ministry.

The same sources say that with the note the greek government will call on Germany to open a phase of negotiations between the two countries so that the return of the be examined.

It is expected that the greek Foreign Ministry will use mild tone in the phrasing of the note since despite the fact the issue has been open for the greek government for years and the german side is well aware of that, Athens does not want to affect the friendly greek-german relations.

The greek government expresses the hope that Germany will reciprocate and that the talks on the issue will start soon although Bonn seems to disagree there are obligations towards Athens claiming that money goven to Greece since then have covered all possible debts.

[02] A NEW SESSION OF THE PASOK MPs NEXT MONDAY

The parliamentary group of the governing Greek socialistic PASOK will have a new session next Monday so that the discuss all issues open after the session they had today to discuss the "social face of the government".

Some MPs raised the issue of the activities of ms Demetra Liani Papandreou, wife and director of the personal office of the Prime Minister's who has been strongly criticised lately.

In a statement he made after the session ended mr Papandreou said that he can not pretend to be a weak prime minister which is something that insults him personally.

Mr Papandreou contradicted that this was the climate in the session characterising the interventions by the MPs constructive.

The Greek Prime Minister expressed his satisfaction for the level of the discussion while referring to the recent interview by his wife with the Greek state owned television channel said that he liked it very much.

Prominent members of the in-party opposition said that it is high time the parliamentary group of the party have a statute of function, issue which will be discussed in the next session of the group while as itr has been known two at least MPs referred to ms Papandreou during their intervention.

PASOK has 169 MPs in the 300-seat parliament, the mandate of which ends in October 1997 and the government has contradicted any thoughts for early elections despite petitions set by the opposition.

[03] US PRESIDENT EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER LACK OF PROGRESS =88=8C CYPRUS

In a letter accompaning US President Clinton's report on Cyprus, which is submitted to the US Congress every two months, is stressed that his government is working towards securing the success of the new effort undertaken by his envoy, Richard Beattie.

The US President expresses concern over the lack of progress towards the solution of the Cyprus problem and assured the Congress leadership that he will continue to offer his assistance in reaching a solution of this problem.

President Clinton points out in his letter that peace can come only if there is will from all sides and only if the goals of the interested sides are determined. Referring to the European Union, President Clinton reiterated that the process for Cyprus' accession can have a positive effect on the efforts for the settlement of the problem through negotiations.

In his letter the US President adds that in this framework the European Union must maintain frequent contacts with the two communities raising essential key- questions for Cyprus' future membership.

[04] COMMUNIQUE ON CYPRUS ISSUED BY THE COMMONWEALTH

The Commonwealth's Summit called on the UN Security Council to undertake decisive action concerning the solution of the Cyprus problem and to take all the necessary measures for the quick implementation of the UN resolutions on Cyprus, specifically, resolutions "365", "550" and "939".

The leaders of the Commonwealth in the Summit's final communique issued in Oakland, New Zealand mention that the lack of progress in the solution of the Cyprus problem is due to the lack of will on behalf of the turkish-cypriot side.

Also, they expressed their full support to the demilitarization proposal made by cypriot President Kliridis and called for the quick withdrawal of all turkish forces and settlers from Cyprus.

President Kliridis expressed satisfaction over the final communique issued by the leaders of the Commonwealth because, as he stated, has all the elements which prove that the responsibility for the lack of progress in the solution of the Cyprus problem is solely due to the lack of political will from the turkish side.

[05] THE GREEK PRESIDENT WILL VISIT BULGARIA ON NOVEMBER 20-22

President of the Hellenic Republic mr Constantinos Stephanopoulos will make a formal visit to Sofia, Bulgaria on November 20-22 after an invitation by bulgarian President mr Zeliu Zelev.

It will be the second formal visit abroad by the greek President after the one he made to Bucharest, Romania during which the high level of the greek- romanian was confirmed relations.

During his visit to Bulgaria, President Stephanopoulos will have talks on bilateral relations with his bulgarian counterpart Zeliu Zelev and Prime Minister Videnov and on the overall situation in the Balkans, mainly in former Yugoslavia.

[06] THE GREEK EXPORTS TO MEDITERRANEAN COUNTRIES INCREASED 18,8%

Greek exports to the countries of the Mediterranean reached a total of 2.907.170.000 ECU in 1994 and compared to 1993 showed an increase of 18,8%. During the same period of time, imports continued their upward course and reached 6.096.818.000 ECU compared to 5.799.727.000 ECU in 1993 increasing by 5,12%, based on figures presented by the Exporters' Association in Northern Greece.

In 1994 Greece's exports to Mediterranean countries were 36,78% of the country's total exports and most of them were directed to Mediterranean countries, members of the European Union, while significant are the exports to other Meditteranean countries, such as Cyprus and Malta.

Greek products are also being exported to Italy, which absorbs 38% of the greek exports to the Mediterranean, followed by France, Cyprus, Albania and Spain.