BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN (13/02/1996) 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

February 13, 1996

TITLES

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] US PRESIDENT SALUTES AHEPA WITH TAPED MESSAGE

Referring to the recent Imia crisis, President Clinton stated that "the U.S. is trying to lessen the tension in the region and settle the sovereignty issue peacefully through the International Court, as the greek government has suggested."

"I want to assure you," mr. Clinton said, "that the U.S. support vigorously the principle of respect of international accords, the internationally recognized borders and territorial sovereignty. Greece and Turkey can and must resolve their differences through peaceful means."

The american President also stated that he personally became involved in convincing the two NATO allies not to engage in a dangerous face off.

Referring to the US arms supply allotted to the two mediterranean neighbors, mr. Clinton said that the ratio is 7 to 10, for Greece and Turkey respectively, a ratio that, according to mr. Clinton, "has promoted the securing of a strategic balance in the Aegean."

Lastly, referring to Cyprus, mr. Clinton said that, by assigning U.S. special envoy Richard Beattie to the region, he wishes to resolve the difficult cypriot issue.

"In every meeting I have held with turkish leaders, I reminded them that they must find a fair solution to this problem," the US President stated.

[02] GERMAN ALTERNATE FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS PANGALOS

Mr.Hoyer said characteristically that the clarity on the issue of the external borders must be handled only within the framework of peaceful and civilized means and measures according to International Law.

Responding to the question if the german position will be presented and to Turkish Foreign Minister mr.Baykal during his visit to Bonn, mr.Hoyer stressed that this is "self-evident" adding that in order to have a real unification in the European Union the incorporation of issues concerning the EU member- states' common foreign policy and defense and those concerning the community borders is necessary while the Western European Union must be regarded as the defense wing of Europe.

Also, mr.Pangalos and mr.Hoyer discussed issues concerning the cooperation within the EU framework, the Inter-Governmental Conference and bilateral issues, while special emphasis was given to the Balkans and the role Greece is called to play in the region.

Regarding the EU enlargement mr.Hoyer underlined that Europe must be ready in order to accept more members.

[03] OVERSEAS HELLENISM COUNCIL TO MEET FOREIGN MINISTER

Tomorrow mr. Athens will meet personally with greek Prime Minister Kostantinos Simitis while on Thursday, the COHA delegation will also meet the Premier. On Friday, the COHA President and the Presiding Board members are expected in Thessaloniki for the first Conference of the Council Presidium.

On Monday, the delegation will depart for Constantinople.

[04] OPPOSITION LEADER TO MEET THE EU COMMISSION PRESIDENT

This morning the leader of New Democracy met in Athens with German alternate Foreign Minister Werner Hoyer.

[05] NO US ACT IN CYPRUS BEFORE TURKEY FORMS GOVERNMENT

However, mr. Bowcher reiterated his country's commitment to finding a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Meanwhile three US Senators will meet with Cypriot President Glafkos Kliridis in Nicosia today.

They are Clayborn Pel, head of the Democrats in US Senate's Foreign Affairs Committee, Charles Romb and James Inhof. The visit is regarded as an expression of interest by the US Congress for the promotion of the Cyprus problem solution.

[06] GREEK PRIME MINISTER TO TRAVEL TO BRUSSELS, BONN

According to Minister of Press and Media Dimitris Reppas, mr. Simitis will meet with the belgian Prime Minister mr. Dean and the President of the European Commission mr. Santers.

On February 22 the greek Premier will travel to Bonn where he will meet with german Chancellor Helmut Kohl.

[07] GREEK GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE TO MEET TODAY

According to Press and Media Minister Dimitris Reppas, the committee will address defense policy issues.

The parliamentary Committee of National Defense and Foreign Affairs will meet today to discuss the greek-turkish relations and the cypriot issue, under the chairmanship of Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos.

[08] NOT YET THE TIME FOR DIALOGUE WITH OPPOSITION ON TV

According to Press and Media Minister Dimitris Reppas, "Mr. Evert," the New Democracy leader who issued the invitation for dialogue, "must show in action that he is interested in holding a dialogue for the good of the country, for the facing of problems, and not for gaining personal advantages."

[09] JAILED ALBANIANS IN GREECE DEMAND EXTRADITION

According to publications in albanian papers, the prisoners complain that the living conditions in the prison cells are unbearable, the prison guards often beat them and they do not receive enough food.

Referring to the recent prisoner exchange agreement signed between the greek and albanian justice departments, the jailed albanians demand Mr. Berisha's intervention in the matter.

[10] MR.PAPANDREOU'S HEALTH DEVELOPING STEADILY

According to estimates by mr.Papandreou's attendant doctors, the tracheostomy is expected to be closed permanently at the end of this week or in the beginning of next week.

[11] EXHIBITION BY CZECH PHOTOGRAPHER ON "ULYSSES' GAZE"

The exhibition opened in London by the Cultural Capital "Thessaloniki 1997" Organization in cooperation with the London branch of the Greek Civilization Institute.