[01] NO CHANGE IN THE CONDITION OF THE PRIME MINISTER'S HEALTH

[02] THE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT'S FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WERE INFORMED ON GREECE'S RELATIONS WITH ITS BALKAN NEIGHBOURS

[03] STATEMENTS ON CYPRUS BY US ASSISTANT UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE JOHN CORNBLOOM

[04] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN COMMENTED ON THE ISSUE OF THE GREEK PARTICIPATION IN THE NATO OPERATIONS IN BOSNIA

[05] COMMENTS BY THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON THE REPORT ISSUED BY THE ORGANIZATION FOR THE ECONOMIC COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT

[06] THE GREEK UNDERSECRETARY OF NATIONAL ECONOMY IS ON AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO BELGRADE

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[01] NO CHANGE IN THE CONDITION OF THE PRIME MINISTER'S HEALTH

The condition of greek Prime Minister Papandreou's health remains unchanged. The latest medical bulletin issued at 2:10pm today by the Onasion Cardiology Center mentions that during the past 24 hours the condition of the Prime Minister presented no essential changes. The patient's respiratory function is periodically supported by respirator while his renal function is supported by artificial kidney.

In the medical bulletin is also mentioned that the altered treatment with antibiotics continues and the patient has no fever.

[02] THE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT'S FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WERE INFORMED ON GREECE'S RELATIONS WITH ITS BALKAN NEIGHBOURS

Greek Alternate Foreign Affairs Minister mr.Giorgos Romeos reiterated addressing the members of the Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee that the government's position is firm and unshakeable adding that Greece can not start dialogue with Turkey on non- existent issues or on International Law issues.

Mr.Romeos said to the Committee members that all the necessary preparations have been made in order to be ready to go ahead with the expansion of the greek territorial waters to 12 nautical miles if and when Greece decides to.

Alternate Foreign Affairs Minister stated that he is optimistic regarding the greek-skopjan relations adding that a new meeting at diplomats level has been scheduled to be held in New York on January 11 and 12 under Cyrus Vance during which will be discussed the name of the neighbouring state.

Regarding the problems of the muslim minority in Thrace mr.Romeos said that a special committee chaired by Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias has been formed which meets at least once a month with the participation of responsible Ministers, Prefects and other local authorities in order to examine the exisiting problems or those that come up.

Referring to the minority problem in Albania mr.Romeos clarified that Greece definately supports the abolition of the minority zones and based on this position the greek side demands greek education for the greek minority in every albanian city.

Finally, on the issue of the Burgas- Alexandroupolis oil pipe-line mr.Romeos stated that it is among the priorities of the greek government and expressed optimism that through the support of the russian side, that has been secured, the problems that may come up will be overcomed.

[03] STATEMENTS ON CYPRUS BY US ASSISTANT UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE JOHN CORNBLOOM

The US efforts for the solution of the Cyprus problem are long standing and very creative, aiming at bringing the interested parts in an agreement while there is no need to be used again a Dayton type method, according to US Assistant Undersecretary of State John Cornbloom.

In a press conference the US official also stated that at this moment there is no plan for Dayton type negotiations adding that noone should assume that a plan can be used over and over because it gave results once.

The US official expressed satisfaction for the EU Parliament decision to approve the customs union with Turkey.

[04] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN COMMENTED ON THE ISSUE OF THE GREEK PARTICIPATION IN THE NATO OPERATIONS IN BOSNIA

The National Defence Council will decide this week on the number of greek soldiers that will participate in NATO's military operation for the implementation of the Dayton peace agreement in Bosnia.

The statement was made by government spokesman Tilemachos Hitiris responding to a question by a reporter while he also reminded that the Prime Minister, in cooperation with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defence, had decided the participation of a greek military force in Bosnia.

[05] COMMENTS BY THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON THE REPORT ISSUED BY THE ORGANIZATION FOR THE ECONOMIC COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT

Greek government spokesman Tilemachos Hitiris characterized as very positive the report on the greek economy issued by the Organization for the Economic Cooperation and Development.

Mr.Hitiris underlined that according to the report the year 1996 will be a year of economic recovery for Greece as its economy is on the right course adding that this is good for the country and for its prestige internationally.

In the report the greek government is praised for the strict economic policy it follows through which it has won the trust of the international markets.

[06] THE GREEK UNDERSECRETARY OF NATIONAL ECONOMY IS ON AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO BELGRADE

Greek Undersecretary of National Economy mr.Ioannis Anthopoulos arrived in Belgrade yesterday for an official visit, heading a 10-member delegation that consists of government officials and businessmen. The delegation will have contacts with economic and political figures from Serbia and Yugoslavia aiming at the further development of the economic relations between Athens and Belgrade.

This morning the greek Undersecretary of National Economy had contacts in the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Transport and the Economic Chamber of Yugoslavia while a meeting in the yugoslav Ministry of Foreign Affairs was scheduled to take place this afternoon.

Mr.Anthopoulos will end his visit to Belgrade tomorrow while he is expected to visit Pale for talks with representatives of the Bosnian serbs.