BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN (07/02/1996) 1o

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 7, 1996

NEWS IN BRIEF

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] CONTACTS BETWEEN GREEK AND ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY DELEGATIONS

The meeting was held within the framework of the efforts for the improvement of the greek-albanian relations.

Head of the greek delegation was the Foreign Ministry's General Director on Political Affairs, mr.Alexandros Philonas and Balkan Affairs Director, mr.Dimitris Kipreos.

[02] THE CYPRIOT PRESIDENT WILL MEET WITH THE GREEK PRIME MINISTER IN ATHENS TOMORROW

The Cypriot President will begin his contacts tomorrow by meeting first with greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos while later he will meet with Prime Minister Simitis and with political party leaders.

Meanwhile, cypriot Foreign Minister Alekos Michailidis stated that the armoured tanks which have been brought recently to the turkish occupied northern Cyprus constitute reinforcement of the occupation forces.

Referring to observations that the National Guard in Cyprus is being armed mr.Michailidis pointed out an essential difference underlining that the turkish occupation forces are violating the territorial integrity of Cyprus for 22 years.

Also, the cypriot Foreign Minister confirmed the information concerning France's intervention to the Cyprus problem, clarifying that this is not an initiative but certain thoughts on how the European Union could contribute to the promotion of a solution for the Cyprus problem.

Mr.Michailidis also stated that italian coordinator Federico Di Roberto will visit the region before the end of this month and afterwards will make recommendations on how the EU can contribute toward the direction of a solution for the Cyprus problem. The head of the cypriot diplomacy said that the cypriot government wants from the European Union to play a political role, which is a role it can play effectively, as he said characteristically.

According to information reported by the Cypriot State Radio, a high official of the french Foreign Ministry mr.Claude Marten had visited Cyprus twice lately and had separate contacts with President Kliridis and with turkish-cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

[03] GUARDED OPTIMISM WAS EXPRESSED BY THE GREEK-AMERICAN ORGANIZATION AHEPA AFTER THE CHANGE IN THE US STAND

AHEPA's President mr.Spiros Makris stated that inspite of this important change the problem is far from being resolved adding that the organization and the greek- american community as a whole, will continue to pressure the US government for even clearer statements on the existing international treaties and laws and on Greece's just and legitimate rights.

In the statement is also mentioned that the US stand according to which a solution must be reached "without the use of force or the threat of force" is clearly directed to the turkish policy of threats against Greece, because the latter claims its legitimate sovereign rights and especially, to the recent new threats launched by Ankara following the initial US intervention aimed at averting the armed conflict.

Mr.Makris said that US President Clinton had achieved the end of the crisis in the Aegean in a dynamic way but during the days that followed the US State Department with its declarations downgraded the international treaties and gave the impression that he called for bilateral negotiations sending an inappropriate and dangerous message to Ankara. Mr.Makris also said that the greek-american community characterized the messages sent by the United States as totally unacceptable.