BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN (06/02/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN BY MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY

Thessaloniki, February, 6 1996

TITLES

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] GREECE MADE A STRONG-WORDED DEMARCHE AGAINST TURKEY

In the protest is mentioned the content of the provocative statements made by turkish caretaker Prime Minister Tansu Ciller concerning the turkish expansionist aspirations in the Aegean Sea and the recent reinforcement by Ankara of the turkish occupation forces in northern Cyprus.

Greece's Foreign Ministry proceeded to remonstrate against Ankara and the United Nations over the recent episode that took place Saturday night in the area of Alecandroupolis port, located at the northern part of the Aegean Sea, eight miles away from Turkey's shores in international territorial waters.

Yesterday, greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos requested that the Turk Ambassador in Athens come to the Ministry in order to receive the protestation. Instead, a low-ranking turkish Embassy employee was dispatched to receive the formal document.

Meanwhile in Ankara, the turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Omer Akbel stated that he was not aware of all the details surrounding the episode.

[02] TURKEY:STAFF OF DEFENSE PROVES GREEK SOVEREIGNTY ON IMIA

The first map, dating back to 1969 and held confidential by the turklish Defense Ministry, shows Imia to be part of the greek territorial waters.

The second map, published by tge U.S. Air Force, also points to the greek sovereignty of the islets group.

These facts are expected to ber used as the basic arguments presented by the greek National Defensein its strategical diplomacy campaign worldwide on the issue of Imia. The maps can be found in Internet under http://www/hol/gr/Imia.

[03] HOLBROOKE CALLS OFF VISITS TO NICOSIA, ANKARA

Commenting on Greece's stance, a State Department spokesperson stated that it is troubling that the greek government sees the US as part of the problem and not as part of the solution.

Holbrooke will be retiring from his government post on February 21 and will not re-schedule his visits to Greece and Turkey, the spokesperson said.

Mr Holbrooke will not deal with the Cyprus problem anymore, but the United States maintain that they will do anything in order to make the two sides in Cyprus move toward the solution of the problem.

Deputy US State Department spokesman Glenn Davis stated that inspite of the recent events the previous statements on the intensification of the US initiatives for the solution of the Cyprus problem during 1996 are not being revoked.

Moreover, mr.Davis said that a significant number of US State Department officials are working toward this direction.

[04] OPPOSITION SAYS HOLBROOKE SHOULD BE RECEIVED IN ATHENS

Mr.Evert said to reporters that Greece has nothing to fear and has an obligation to explain its positions to all foreign officials.

Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis said yesterday that mr.Holbrooke's visit to Athens was not possible at the present time since the proposed date of the visit conflicts with other obligations of the greek government.

Mr.Miltiadis Evert met today with the italian ambassador to Athens in order to discuss the condition of the greek-turkish relations after the incident in the islet of Imia, in south-eastern Aegean.

Afterwards, mr.Evert had a meeting with rectors from all the greek Universities and called on them to be more active aiming at the sensitization of the international university community regarding the greek positions.

Also, mr.Evert met with the party's Parliament deputies who will make up the delegations expected to leave in the next few days for the United States within the framework of the initiative undertaken by New Democracy aiming at informing all the international fora on Greece's right in the greek-turkish crisis.

[05] BELGIAN PRESS ON HOLBROOKE'S CANCELLED TRIP TO GREECE

The flemish paper "De Standaard" wrote: "The greek government sends the US envoy Richard Holbrooke for a walk."

"Le Soir" and "La Derniere Heure" wrote that "Greece snubs Richard Holbrooke", while "La Wallonie" refers to Greece's denial to receive the american diplomat as an act of "greek counter-attack."

[06] MINOR OPPOSITION CALLS FOR AN EXTRAORDINARY EU SUMMIT

Mr.Samaras said after his arrival at Thessaloniki's Macedonia Airport, that Greece should act quickly and not wait for the Inter-Governmental Conference during which will be discussed other issues as well.

The Political Spring party leader also said that a government of national unity should be formed, while responding to questions concerning the postponment of US Assistant Secretary of State mr.Holbrooke's visit to the region, mr.Samaras stated that it was necessary for the United States to get a message adding that the US foreign policy knows very well that Greece is right.

[07] PRESIDENT OF CYPRUS REPUBIC TO ARRIVE IN ATHENS TOMORROW

during his stay in Athens, the Cypriot President will meet with the President of the Greek Republic Kostis Stefanopoulos and the Prime Mnister Kostas Simitis, as well as with other political leaders.

Mr.Klerides will be accompanied by te cypriot Foreign Minister Alekos Michaelides, the under-Minister to the Presidium Pantelis Kouros and the cupriot government's spokesperson Yiannakis Kasoulides.

[08] GOVERNING PARTY'S PARLIAMENTARY GROUP MEETS UNDER SIMITIS

In his statements mr.Simitis backed the government's handling of the greek-turkish crisis pointing out that there might have been mistakes but nevertheless the decision made was right.

Mr.Simitis underlined the need to change the climate that has been created toward Greece.

[09] INFLATION IN GREECE ROSE DURING JANUARY

According to data provided by the National Statistics Agency, the price index dropped by 0,1% compared to 0,4% the previous month. Prices increased in foodstuffs by 1,6%, alcoholic drings and cigarretes by 2,2%, while there were also increases in the State Telecommunications Company (OTE) rates, in fuel prices and in insurance rates.

[10] GREEK HELICOPTER CRASHED NEAR IMIA LAST WEDNESDAY LOCATED

The helicopter's wreckage were located 3 miles north- west of the islet in a depth of 95 meters under the sea.

The bodies of the two officers who were missing since the crash were found inside the helicopter, while the operation for its pulling up from the bottom of the sea has already begun.

The body of the helicopter's captain had been found a few hours after the crash last Wednesday.

[11] US:BAD WEATHER DELAYS VISIT BY OVERSEAS HELLENISM PRESIDENT

The visit by mr.Athens to Greece is expected to be held in the next few days possibly during the weekend.

Mr Athens was expected to arrive in Athens today, where, during his weeklong stay, he would be received by the President of the Hellenic Republic mr Constantinos Stefanopoulos and the greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis.

Also, the greek-american lobbyist would meet the greek Foreign Ministry's leadership, as well as with the President of Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis with whom he will discuss issues concerning expatriated greeks.

Moreover, on February 17 and 18, Mr. Athens would travel to Thessaloniki where the session of the Presidium of Greeks Abroad would take place.

On February 19, Presidium members would travel to Constantinople where they would be received by the Ecumenical Patriarch, Mr. Bartholomew.

[12] BRUSSLES:BRANCH OF GREEK CIVILIZATION INSTITUTE OPENS IN 1996

It should be reminded that the Greek Civilization Institute in the three years of its operation has already six branches in the cities of Odessa, Alexandria, London, Berlin, Paris and New York.