BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN (21/02/1996) (2nd)

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 21, 1996

TITLES

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[01] GREEK PREMIER MEETS WITH BELGIAN PREMIER DEHAENE

The Belgian Prime Minister commended that border-related issues are always troublesome and their solution must be sought through negotiations.

""Peaceful solutions that are best suited for our times, instead of solutions that involve the use of guns," Mr. Dehaene said.

Moreover, Mr. Dehaene stated that during the upcoming Inter- Govenmental Conference that will review the Maastricht Treaty, border security issues will be addressed under the premise of a common foreign policy.

"Since we are speaking of a common foreign policy, and a policy of defense, then it is imperative that we speak about the borders as well," the Belgian Premier said.

Responding to a question regarding the recent vote in Europarliament according to which the borders of Greece are concurrently borders of the European Union, and asked if he considers it prudent to include this decision in the new inter- governmental decision, the Belgian Premier said that "it is one of the problems that will be discussed during the Inter-Governmental Conference."

The Greek Premier, responding to the same question, said that "a policy of security and a policy of defense, as Mr. Dehaene said, presupposes an agreement on the broder issue.

"Which are the borders, which is the security, why and for whom?" Mr. Simitis said.

Mr. Dehaene expressed his gratification after meeting the Greek Premier and stated that this gave him the opportunity to realize that the two countries are closely intertwined on many issues regarding the EU's process.

[02] GREEK PREMIER TO MEET WITH GERMAN CHANCELLOR TOMORROW

A German deputy, who is also vice-president of the joint german-greek europarliament and member of the commission for foreign affairs, Mr. Friedbert Pflinger stated today that the Greek Premier will find in Germany "open doors" and added that Mr. Simitis is worthy of support in the recent issue that arose between Greece and Turkey regarding Imia.

The German PM also noted that the Greek Premier has made attempts to de-escalate the tension between Greece and Turkey and stressed that "various legally binding international accords affirm that the Imia islets belong to Greece."

[03] PABLO, THE WORLD RENOWED GREEK INTELLECTUAL BURIED TODAY

"The meaning of life is life itself, to live as much as you can," was Pablo's motto and he, indeed, lived a fervent and vibrant life, until he died yesterday at the age of 85.

An internationally recognized left-winger, Pablo served as Secretary General of the Fourth International, and worked closely with Algeria's Ben Bella, Cuba's Fidel Castro, Peru's Velasquez, Portugal's Gonsalvez and Chile's Aliente, with all of whom he maintained close friendships that spanned many years.

At his funeral ceremony today, many prominent figures of the greek political world were present, as well as diplomats of foreign countries, such as Iraq, Algeria, Palestine, etc, while condolences were forwarded from throughout the world, ranging from Russian Parliament Vice President Sergei Baburin to American former Attorney General Ramsey Clark.

Gilbert Marquis, the French intellectual and close comrade of Pablo's for 45 years, poignantly saluted his dear friend as "the revolutionary who revealed his superiority through the understanding of basic things."

[04] GREEK PUBLIC ORDER MINISTER IN SOFIA TODAY

The Bulgarian Minister of Interior Liubomir Nacev invited the Greek minister under the light of bilateral co-operation between the two countries. According to Mr. Geitonas, this collaboration will concentrate on the fight against organized crime.

[05] PASOK LEADER'S HEALTH IMPROVING STEADILY

The medical report states that the thoracic physiotherapy is continuing along with kinesiotherapy. The therapies are part of the rehabilitation of the patient's respiratory function.

While the treating physicians are finally discussing Mr. Papandreou's imminent release from the hospital, at the same time they are avoiding to give an exact date.

[06] EU TO FUND PROGRAMS FOR FIGHT AGAINST AIDS, CANCER

The funding granted to the programs will be 64 million ECU for the fight against cancer, 49,6 million ECU for the prevention of AIDS and 35 million ECU for the promotion of health.

Based on proposals given by the European Commission, the programs will run for a five-year period.

Moreover, in an effort to reduce smoking, the Commission recently assigned the british organization "Health Promotion of Wales" the areas of information and research in the field.

The organization will collect data that will examine smoke consumption, statistics, legal and political issues of production, processing and trade on a national and EU level.