MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (29/02/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

NEWS IN ENGLISH BY MACEDONIAN NEWS AGENCY

Thessaloniki, February 29, 1996

NEWS IN BRIEF

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] GREEK PREMIER WANTS TO PROMOTE A STRONG GREECE INTO EUROPE

Mr.Simitis reiterated that Greece can not give its consent to the materialization of Turkey's customs union agreement with the European Union for as long as the turkish aggressiveness continues, while regarding the Skopjan issue he repeated the firm greek stand that the word Macedonia or any of its derivatives in the name of the neighbouring state will not be acceptable. Mr.Simitis pointed out that if progress is achieved in the New York talks then the issue will be discussed again by the government and afterwards with the President of the Republic and the political parties of the opposition.

In his introductory speech mr.Simitis underlined the need for closer cooperation with the EU member states and for the increase of contacts aiming at widening the support to the just demands of Greece. He said is wrong to believe that this support is self- evident stressing that we must always try to win it.

As far as the greek-turkish relations are concerned, mr.Simitis reiterated that Greece neither claims nor gives away anything and underlined his belief that the borders of the EU member states with third countries should be regarded as borders of the European Union adding that the solidarity principle should be in effect if it comes to the defence of those borders.

He stressed that if a third country disputes the borders of an EU member state then every effort should be made for the implementation of International Law and if an agreement is not reached this way, then this country should bring its case before the International Court of Justice.

The greek Prime Minister also stated that with this view agreed all his interlocutors during his European tour which he said that will be continued both by himself and by the Foreign Minister who will visit the european capitals he will not be able to visit. Within this framework mr.Simitis announced that on March 21st he will visit Italy which is currently holding the EU rotating Presidency and will meet with italian President Scalfaro and Prime Minister Dini. Afterwards he will visit London and possibly Dublin, as Ireland will be the next EU Presidency holder.

Mr.Simitis also referred to his upcoming visit to the United States that will be held on April 9th underlining the special importance that Greece attributes to the promotion of the Greek-US relations pointing out that the same importance is attributed and to the strengthening of Greece's relations with Russia.

[02] EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT ASKS EU TO ABOLISH VETO RIGHT

Mr.Santer responding to the question made by Euro-Deputy of the greek Coalition of the Left party mr.Alekos Alavanos on the greek-turkish crisis and the backing from the EU partners said it is self-evident that all the member states should take advantage of community solidarity.

Regarding the recognition of the greek borders as external borders of the European Union and the incorporation into the new and revised Maastricht Treaty of an immediate assistance clause which will be in effect in case the borders of a member state are threatened mr.Santer said that International Law should be respected and must be the basic element in the future EU policy. Mr.Santer also added that the issue must be discussed within the framework of the Inter-Governmental Conference.

[03] PRISON SITUATION IN THE CITY OF PATRAS IS STILL OUT OF CONTROL

Strong police forces have surrounded the prison complex in order to avert further escapes. Meanwhile, smoke still comes out of the prison building which means that the prisoners continue to burn and destroy everything they can.

During the night, at least 5 injured inmates were taken to the hospital in the nearby town of Rio and one of them was in a comma from an overdose of sedatives.

Justice Minister Evangelos Venizelos characterized the riot as organized and expressed puzzlement over the stand adopted by the inmates because as he said only last week a group of specialists had visited the Prison and had discussed with the inmates the problems they are facing.

The living conditions in the specific prison are sordid as one ward can house up to 40 inmates. In the Agios Stephanos Prison are being held 759 inmates even though it is designed for 320.

[04] HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN IMVROS, TENEDOS BROUGHT BEFORE EU

Mr.Kranidiotis reminds that the customs union agreement between the EU and Turkey provides among others for the respect of human rights and the rights of minorities and also for the observance of international treaties.

In his question the greek Euro-Deputy is pointing out that on July 24th, 1923 the Treaty of Lauzanne gave the islands of Imvros and Tenedos to Turkey. He refers to Articles 14, 38 and 42 of the Treaty which provided among others for a special regime of self- administration on the two islands and safeguarded the lives and property of the greeks living there and also the free use of their language and their religious freedom.

Mr.Kranidiotis continued by saying that Turkey never respected those Articles but on the contrary it systematically violated them creating inhumane living conditions for the greeks living on the islands.

Since 1964, the turkish authorities within the framework of the ethnic cleansing policy they are following they have closed the greek schools, desecrated the chuches and confiscated 90% of farm land in order to build prison camps and army camps.

The greek Euro-Deputy concluded that the policy followed by Turkey had as a result to remain in Imvros only 300 of the 7.000 greeks that used to live there before 1964.

[05] TURK ACTING PREMIER CALLS ON GREECE TO PARTICIPATE IN DIALOGUE

In her address to her True Path party deputies, Ms. Ciller stated that Athens should not take advantage of its European Union member status and use it as leverage against Turkey.

"The relations are between Greece and Turkey, and if we are going to resolve these issues, we will resolve them through dialogue," Ms. Ciller stated.

"Greece may be a EU member, however by using this status to burden Turkey it will only limit Turkey's international contribution," the Turk Premier said, adding that "the european community will lose."

[06] "SETTLING PERIOD" MUST PRECEDE ANY US INITIATIVES ON CYPRUS, AEGEAN

The american official, who requested anonymity, stated that in the aftermath of the recent Imia islet crisis the situations of both countries are particularly unstable and do not allow room for progress.

Nevertheless, Washington has not abandoned its intent to resolve the issues, according to the US diplomat.

"The fact that Turkey does not have a government, coupled by the islet episode, caused a great deal of unrest in Athens... This led to the fact that (State Department) mediation efforts were not appreciated by Greece and as such a settling period is necessary," he said.

According to diplomatic sources, the State Department favors taking The Hague venue regarding the islet issue. Concurrently, the same sources expressed their doubts if such initiative will occur prior to the upcoming US elections, considering the powerful greek lobby in the States.

[07] PASOK LEADER'S RECUPERATION PROGRESSING NORMALLY

According to today's medical bulletin issued by the Onasion Cardiosurgery Center where Mr. Papandreou is hospitalized, the fever has disappeared, although such minor complications could postpone the patient's release to beyond next week, as recent medical estimates had assessed.

[08] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE REPORT

CURRENCY          FIXING      BUY         SELL
ECU              303.3700   302.4600    304.2800
U.S. Dollar      240.5400   239.8180    241.2620
Deutsche Mark    163.9000   163.4080    164.3920
UK Sterling      368.4600   367.3550    369.5650
French Franc     47.8280    47.6850     47.9710
Swedish Crown    35.7400    35.6330     35.8470
Danish Kroner    42.4190    42.2920     42.5460
Norwegian Crown  37.6600    37.5470     37.7730
Italian Lira     15.4990    15.4530     15.5450
Swiss Franc      200.7400   200.1380    201.3420
Spanish Peseta   1.9474     1.9416      1.9532
Finnish Mark     53.1360    52.9770     53.2950
Yen              229.6500   228.9610    230.3390