BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN (05/01/1996)

From: Macedonian Press Agency <mpa@uranus.eng.auth.gr>

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN BY MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY

Thessaloniki January 5, 1996

NEWS IN ENGLISH

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[01] THE GREEK PRIME MINISTER'S CONDITION IS STABLE

The condition of greek Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou's health is stable according to the medical bulletin issued today by the Onasion Cardiology Center.

The medical bulletin mentions that the patient underwent dialysis treatment this morning and from now on, his renal function will be supported by artificial kidney every 48 hours while his respiratory function is periodically supported by respirator.

Meanwhile, the attendant doctor of mrs.Dimitra Liani- Papandreou, wife of the Prime Minister, confirmed that she is suffering from viral Hepatitis B and that the illness is in its initial stage.

[02] STATEMENTS BY THE GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER ON THE DEPLOYMENT OF GREEK TROOPS IN BOSNIA

Greek Defense Minister Gerasimos Arsenis referring to Greece's participation in NATO's peace implementation forces stated that Greece's military presence in Bosnia helps in promoting the greek political presence in the developments taking place not only in that region but in former Yugoslavia and the Balkans in general.

Already, since January 3rd the largest part of the greek mission had been deployed in the Adriatic coasts and in Visovo, Bosnia. Two greek C-130 transport planes are in NATO airfields in Italy while frigate "HYDRA" and the minesweepers "CLEO" and "AVRA" have arrived in the yugoslav coasts. Also, in the region of Visovo, located in the Croat-Muslim Federation, have already arrived 26 greek military vehicles and 70 of the 250 army officers and soldiers of an army transport unit.

[03] THE ITALIAN UNDERSECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS HAD TALKS WITH THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER IN ATHENS

Italian Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Emanuele Scamaka arrived today in Athens and had talks with greek Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias and with Alternate Foreign Minister responsible for European Union issues mr.Giorgos Romeos.

The exploratory mission of the italian EU Presidency aiming at helping toward the solution of the Cyprus problem that began in Nicosia continued today in Athens and will be completed in Ankara tomorrow. Mr.Scamaka stated that he will update the italian Foreign Minister on the situation in Cyprus in order to start the process aiming at reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem within a european framework.

Greek Alternate Foreign Minister Giorgos Romeos expressed the greek government's full satisfaction over the fact that the italian EU Presidency undertook the exploratory initiative in Cyprus five days after assuming its duties.

Mr.Romeos stated that final proposals will be made during the italian Foreign Minister's visit to Athens on January 11th and those proposals will be submitted to the General Affairs Council which will be held on January 29th.

[04] CLINTON RECOMMENDS TO CONGRESS THE CONTINUATION OF TALKS BETWEEN EUROPEAN UNION AND CYPRUS

1996 may indeed be the year of the "big push" in Cyprus, as talks to bring both sides to the table have been introduced to Congress by U.S. President Bill Clinton.

The american president is recommending to Congress that the European Union enact conversations between the turkish and greek communities of Cyprus in order to clarify what the inclusion of Cyprus in the Union will mean.

Mr. Clinton's recommendation is part of a bi- monthly report on the cypriot issue for the months of October and November.

In his letter, the american president refers to the U.S. presidential envoy Richard Beattie s oncoming visit to Cyprus in December, stating that the visit reflects his interest in the empowerment of the american efforts to proceed into finding a firm solution.

Presidential envoys have continued their talks with European Union officials where it is recommended that the Union meets with both communities regularly.

Similar dialogues, Clinton refers in his letter to Congress, will encourage both parts to utilize the time prior to the inclusion negotiations for the formation of a two-zone, two-community federation.

[05] STATEMENTS BY THE ITALIAN UNDERSECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AFTER HIS VISIT TO CYPRUS

Italian Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Emanuele Scamaka stated that his country and Europe in general want Cyprus' division to end.

In statements made while in Larnaca Airport before his departure for Athens this morning mr.Scamaka said that his contacts in Nicosia were held in order to be able to give to italian Foreign Minister Suzanna Agnieli a complete picture of the situation in Cyprus in view of the report on Cyprus' accesion into the EU that he will submit to the European Union during the EU Ministers' Summit which will be held in Brussels next March.

During his visit to Cyprus the italian Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs had meetings with cypriot President Glafkos Kliridis, Foreign Minister Alekos Michailidis and turkish-cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

[06] A GROUP OF ABOUT 30 KURDS ATTACKED THE TURKISH AIRLINES OFFICES IN ATHENS

A group of about 30 kurds threw rocks and paints at the Turkish Airlines offices in Athens causing damages.

According to information, the attack took place in protest against the murders of kurds in Turkey. The incident occured at noon today and police arrested 14 kurds.