BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN (01/02/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN BY MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY

February 1, 1996

NEWS IN BRIEF

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] PROTOCOL OF ITALIAN-TURKISH AGREEMENT REGARDING IMIA

According to the protocol of the agreement between Italy and Turkey, signed in the turkish Foreign Ministry in Ankara on December 28, 1932, the demarcation line designates to whom the terrritory belongs, and does not divide the Aegean Sea.

As such, the protocol states, within a distance of 12 (twelve) miles and a minimal distance of territory between the two countries, the demarcation line will designate the two countries' sea sovereignty.

The protocol also states: "It is clearly understood that in the areas where this distance surpasses the twelve (12) miles, the demarcation line will not affect the extension of territorial waters of both countries."

Specifically, the demarcation line is represented by 1) 10m miles south of the island Volos. 2) Half the distance between the Rhodes lighthouse and Cape Kapouia.

Section 30 of this agreement clearly mentions that the italian-turkish border line passes between the Imia islands group -which then belonged to Italy- and the uninhabited island Kato, which belongs to Turkey.

[02] GREEK PRIME MINISTER MEETS WITH PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC

A spokesperson of the greek Presidency denied rumors that Mr. Stefanopoulos is displeased with the ruling party's handling of the Imia crisis.

The meeting between the two leaders took place following Minister of Development Vasso Papandreou's swearing-in ceremony.

[03] GREECE MAINTAINS SOVEREIGN RIGHTS ON IMIA SAYS ATHENS

Mr.Reppas said that Greece has the legal and factual arguments in order to exercise freely its sovereign rights adding that the greek government programme concerning the arrival of people who want to live on these islets is in progress.

He also expressed the greek government's satisfaction over the fact that the italian Foreign Ministry with an announcement justifies the greek positions regarding the italian-turkish treaty that gives the Dodecanesse islands to Greece, while he expressed the same satisfaction and over the positions adopted by high EU officials concerning the issue in question.

The greek government spokesman made it clear that there is absolutely no political issue concerning the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense and underlined that the Prime Minister is completely satisfied with their handling of the crisis. He also denied that National Defence Chief of Staff admiral Limberis offered his resignation. He characteristically said that at this time the greek military leadership enjoys the government's confidence.

Mr.Reppas stated that Greece did not ask for the mediation of US Assistant Secretary of State mr.Richard Holbrooke and did not invite him to come to Greece in order to undertake a mediatory role. He also reiterated that during the recent crisis Greece did not ask for the US mediation, which was accepted with satisfaction anyway.

Responding to another question he said that there is no US supervision in the region adding that there was no US supervision during the hours of the crisis either.

Regarding the visit to Athens and Ankara by US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Holbrooke the greek government spokesman stressed that neither the exact time nor the agenda of the talks have been finalized. He also underlined that the government will not discuss issues concerning the greek sovereignty in the Aegean Sea.

[04] U.S. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE SPEAKS ON IMIA DISPUTE

The U.S. envoy admitted that although the crisis resolution was peaceful, he is worried that a new episode might erupt.

"Until Greece and Turkey normalize their relations, there will be instability in the area", Mr. Holbrooke said, adding that had Washington not intervened, Turkey would have seized the islet, forcing the greek soldiers to leave.

Mr. Holbrooke elaborated by saying that a turkish takeover of the tiny insland would have thrown Greece into a political crisis and forced it to respond. "It would have been absurd for people to go to war or use military force in regard to this little piece of rock."

The U.S. envoy also disclosed that american aircraft have been activated in the Aegean area in order to supervise the withdrawal of the greek and turkish naval forces that surround Imia.

Mr Holbrooke, has postponed his February 11 visit to Nicosia, according to a State Department official.

Mr. Holbrooke stated that the Cyprus initiative will not take place as planned, partially due to the fact that Turkey currently has only an acting government and also due to the recent Imia islet crisis that ensued between Greece and Turkey.

As a result, according to Mr. Holbrooke, it is now necessary to focus the efforts in the Aegean area.

With Turkey being the new border NATO country, Mr. Holbrooke stated that "it is not possible to allow continuous crises in NATO's southern wing and to maintain such strategic instability which will be disastrous to NATO."

According to a White House spokesperson, the U.S. will proceed with its efforts to address the issues of both Greece and Turkey, including Cyprus.

[05] GREEK EURO-DEPUTY WANTS GREEK STATE BORDERS AS EU BORDERS

Mr.Alavanos stated that such a stipulation will automatically give european dimensions to every possible new provocation from Ankara, regardless of its attempts to present it as greek-turkish dispute.

He also stressed that for Greece is now easier to present this demand after to the European Parliament decision based on which the notions of community borders and mutual assistance have already been recognized. Furthermore, Germany, Italy, France and other EU member-states have already recognized the common borders through the Schengen agreement.

Mr.Alavanos stated that Greece has to inform its partners immediately that it will veto the Inter- Governmental Conference decisions if its state borders are not recognized as borders of the European Union.

[06] COUNCIL OF OVERSEAS HELLENISM SEES SUPPORT IN CABINET

Mr. Athens attributed the new government's decision not to create an under-ministry for overseas hellenism on its aim to reduce the size of the Cabinet.

"The greek government decided to reduce its ministries from 50 to 40. It has not done something against COHA," said Mr. Athens.

The Council's Deputy President, Mr. Kostas Papas, stated that the elimination oof the proposed under-ministry of overseas hellenism marks a substantial change in te Council's course since, as Mr. Papas said, "the overseas hellenism has a specifc character that needs a special and time consuming effort in order to be productive, which cannot be covered only by a general secretary, no matter how able he is."

Prior to COHA's first session in Thessaloniki, mr. Athens is expected to meet with the Foreign Minister =92hedoros Pangalos and possibly the Premier =89ostas Simitis.

[07] "HELLENIC AMERICAN NATIONAL COUNCIL" CALLS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS ON THE PROTECTION OF BORDERS

Hellenic American National Council Chairman mr.Theodoros Spiropoulos mentions in the letter that the Council is against the continuous intervention of international arbitrators for the settlement of issues concerning greek national rights.

Mr.Spiropoulos stresses that every greek abroad is ready together with the brothers in Greece to defend every inch of their country at any cost. Also, he raises questions on where the turks base their provocativeness and which allies support them.

[08] RUSSIA CALLS FOR OBSERVANCE OF INTERNATIONAL LAW ON IMIA

The russian official stated that the continued tension in the greek-turkish relations over the islet of Imia worries Moscow even though the immediate threat of a conflict appears to have overcomed for the moment, but nevertheless the differencies over the substance of the issue remain.

He said that Moscow is convinced that the settlement of the dispute is possible only through peaceful means and not through the use of force. For this reason, said the russian Foreign Ministry spokesman, the basis should be the strict observance of international law, the main principles of which are the undisputable respect of sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of the existing borders, adding that those principles are international and none is allowed to violate them.

[09] AUSTRALIAN PRESS REPORTS ON THE IMIA CRISIS

The newspaper "The Australian" with an article titled "Greece, Turkey are not going to war," published an analysis of the events that led up to the crisis and a large photo, and interpreted Greece's decision to remove its flag from the islet as a "retreat."

The newspaper "Herald Sun" focused on the greek main opposition party New Democracy, by reporting that its leader, Miltiades Evert, has asked the socialist goverment to resign and blamed the greek Premier Kostas Simitis of treason.

At the same time, the australian-greeks have inundated the greek government with a flood of messages and telegrams, expressing support for their mother country.

Southern Australia's Labour Party Minister Mike Runn, a known philhellene, advised greeks in the United States to take adgantage of the approaching elections there by exerting pressure on Washington to promote stability in the Aegean.

The Labour Party Minister stated that he has been threatened by Ankara and the Denktash regime for his philhellenic positions, from which he will not yield.

"I will always support what is right," he said.

[10] NEW GREEK GOVERNMENT GOT A CONFIDENCE VOTE IN PARLIAMENT

The 123 deputies from New Democracy, Political Spring and the Communist party, who were present, voted against.

Ten of PASOK's deputies with statements stressed that they gave a vote of confidence to the new government even though they disagree with its handling of the crisis with Turkey.

[11] HEALTH CONDITION OF PASOK LEADER IS IMPROVING

The medical bulletin issued by the Onasion Cardiosurgery Center, where the PASOK President is being hospitalized for over two months, is as follows:

"The President's health condition shows signs of improvement. His respiratory physiotherapy and kinesiotherapy are continued."

Today marks the fifth day that Mr. Papandreou has not been supported by an artificial respirator.

[12] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE REPORT