BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN (22/02/1996)

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 22, 1996

TITLES

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] GREEK PREMIER SATISFIED BY MEETING WITH CHANCELLOR KOHL

During a press conference held after the meeting, Mr. Simitis extrapolated Greece's stance towards the Customs Union agreement between the European Union and Turkey and clearly stated that Greece will not accept such a union.

"Greece is not obstructing the Customs Union with Turkey," Mr. Simitis said, but added that "Turkey cannot make aggressive moves towards european countries and the EU, and cannot send troops to claim european territory."

Mr. Simitis stated that the german stance regarding the Turkey-EU Customs Union has been shifted, as Germany now supports that international law guidelines must be observed. In prior statements, the german government had suggested that Greece and Turkey should proceed to talks.

The Greek Premier also proceeded to explain Greece's stance in the Imia islet issue.

"We (the greek government) decided and agreed to withdraw our forces from the island because we did not want an aggressive collission, neither war, nor a military stand off," Mr. Simitis explained.

He added that "it is clear that there is no room for a different interpretation to Greece's stance. The context of that day's agreement was not to remove our troops because the status quo was set in question. It was that we return to status quo ante, which means that in the situation prior to the crisis, there were no troops on the islet."

Referring to the cypriot isse, Mr. Simitis stated that although he discussed the issue with Mr. Kohl, it was not an in-depth talk on the subject.

In all, the Greek Premier stated that "the differences between Greece and Turkey were discussed under the auspices of the EU's further development and, for example, how the issue of EU external borders can be handled, as well as issues of common foreign policy and security, which are issues that concern other countries as well."

He concluded the discussion by saying that he and Mr. Kohl agreed to follow "a common route", willing to co- operate while maintaining their positions.

Responding to a question posed by MPE regarding his previous statement that he will wait a few weeks to see what Turkey's stance will be from now on, Mr. Simitis said that he awaits to see the governmental developments in Turkey, since curently an acting govertnment is in power there.

[02] VISA LOWERED IN GREECE-FYROM BORDER, TRAFFIC INCREASES

The recently signed agreement between Greece and FYROM that lowers the visa amount to 1000 drachmas from 5000, is aimed at the improved application of the intermediate agreement between the two countries.

[03] BOSNIANSERBS ACCUSE MILOSEVIC AND NATO

In an interview, Mr. Radic accused the Belgrade regime as having embarked on a campaign against the policies of Bosnianserb President Radovan Karadzic. The campaign's aim, as Mr. Radic said, is the political destruction of the Bosnianservb leader and the predominance of the newly- formed socialist party of the Serb Republic.

Mr. Radic emphasized that NATO forces in Bosnia grant preferential treatment to the three warring zones, protecting Muslims and Croats, while exerting pressure on the Bosnianserbs. He openly doubted if the peace plan enforced in Bosnia will produce the desired results.

"Under these conditions," Mr. Radic said, "The Bosnianserb people cannot co-exist with Muslims and Croats."

He added that the secession of the Serb Republic from the rest of Bonsia and "its union with the mother country was and continues to be the firm line maintained by the Bosnianserb government," thereby giving the impression that the Bosnian crisis resolution is nowhere near.

Morever, Mr. Radic expressed serious doubts regarding the lift of sanctions imposed on the Serb Republic by the international community, despite the fact that this was officially confirmed by the representatives during the latest joint-conference in Rome.

[04] FYROM: ENTERING A PERIOD OF POLITICAL INSTABILITY

During yesterday's parliament session, the Liberal Party members stressed that the voted electoral coalition is no longer represented in the Cabinet, thereby "frauding the voters since they elected the coalition in its whole."

The Liberal Party representatives stated their intention to collect, in conjunction with other non- parliament oppostion parties, the necessary 150,000 signatures that will drive the country to elections.

[05] RUMORS ABOUND THAT MILOSEVIC WILL VISIT FYROM

While this report has not been confirmed by the FYROM government, it supports the view that the recognition of FYROM by the federal Republic of Yugoslavia is imminent, as was discussed three days ago by the FYROM Socialist Party in Belgrade.

[06] AUSTRALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER SUPPORTS THE HAGUE VENUE

"I believe that Greece should resort to the Hague because it has many chances, it is almost certain it will win," Mr. Evans said during a meeting held with representatives of the Greek council there.

Moreoever, Mr. evans reiterated Australia's support to the greek-cypriots regarding Cyprus' occupation and promised to table with the United Nations an issue of human rights violations on the occupied territory. The Australian Foreign Minister said that his government recognizes the sole legal government on Cuprus as being the greek-cypriot one.

[07] YUGOSLAV TOURISM EXPECTED TO MOUNT IN GREECE THIS SUMMER

According to the Association President, Mr. Andreas Andreades, the interest expressed by the Yugoslav tourist agents was markedly higher and ranged from the lowest to the highest categories of services available in the greek peninsula.

Specifically, the "Wokshop of Tourism Agents", completed yesterday, was attended by 30 Yugoslav tour operators who expressed their intense interest in drawing contracts with hotels in Halkidiki.

Such interest can be partially attributed to the region's affordability in relation to the traditional serbian market of Montenegrin.

According to current estimates, more than 20,000 yugoslav tourists are expected to soak up the sun in Chalkidiki this summer.