MPA NEWS IN BRIEF (21/03/1996)

From: Macedonian Press Agency <mpa@philippos.mpa.gr>

Macedonian Press Agency Brief News in English Directory

BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN BY MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY

Thessaloniki March 21, 1996

[01] ANDREAS PAPANDREOU GOES HOME, SAYS "THANKS WITH LOVE TO ALL"

Upon his exit from the Onasion Cardiosurgery Center, Mr. Papandreou offered his "thanks with love" to all those who stood by his side during his lengthy hospitalization.

PASOK officials, ministers, deputies and a crowd of people gathered around the Onasion in order to salute the popular political leader who fought a strenuous battle for his life.

Mr. Papandreou's personal physician and former Health Minister Dimitris Kremastinos characterized as "exemplary" the medical treatment provided to Mr. Papandreou by the attendant physicians, noting the "enormous difficulties they faced and which are not usual for the medical practice."

Responding to a reporter's question regarding Mr. Papandreou's hospital stay, Mr. Kremastinos stated that "it is preferable that some things are covered by silence instead of being discussed" and added that "it is for the good of all of us to forget these days."

Referring to his patient's health condition, Mr. Kremastinos emphasized that he is constantly improving and is currently at the stage of recovery. However, he added that as the effort to restore his health is not an easy one, many details must be granted attention to."

Currently, Mr. Papandreou's condition is considered to be satisfactory and he is an outpatient, although he will continue to undergo dialysis every two days at his Ekali home.

[02] TIME HAS NOT COME YET FOR FYROM DISCUSSION AMONG MPS, SAYS GREEK PREMIER

The greek Premier was responding to a relevant request issued by 20 PASOK deputies who have signed a declaration stating their opposition to the prospect of Greece recognizing Skopje under a name containing the word 'Macedonia.'

The 20 deputies requested that before the greek government proceeds to any decision-taking on the name, the matter be discussed by the Parliamentary Group and the Central Committee.

The Group's presidium leader Dimitris Beis agreed with the Prime Minister's assessment.

[03] GREEK PUBLIC ORDER MINISTER SAYS EU EXTERNAL BORDERS MUST BE PROTECTED FROM ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION

Participating in a conference of EU internal security and public order ministers, held yesterday in Brussels and focusing on the issue of passport-free travel for Community citizens, Mr. Geitonas asked for greater funding to be granted in the area of EU external border security.

According to the Public Order Minister, this issue is of particular interest to Greece due to its Balkan and East Mediterranean extensive borders, which, according to Mr. Geitonas, are also EU's borders.

[04] GREECE SHOULD BE FIRM WITH VETO, SAYS GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER

Speaking to reporters upon his return from his two-day formal visit to Moscow, Mr. Pangalos also commented on the recent declaration signed by 20 PASOK deputies, with which they refuse the option of FYROM's name containing the word 'Macedonia', by acquiescing that their request is understandable.

The Foreign Minister stated that "each one must assume his responsibilities before the people."

[05] GREEK PREMIER VISITS ROME TODAY

Mr. Simitis' visit to Italy is part of the government's diplomatic activities in light of the forthcoming European Union Foreign Ministers Council, to be held in Brussels on March 25.

[06] PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS VISITS TIRANA

Mr. Stephanopoulos will meet with his albanian counterpart and the two presidents are expected to sign a friednship and cooperation accord that will set the ground for relations between Athens and Tirana.

Moreover, emphasis will be given to the education of the greek minority living in Albania, while a greek school is expected to be opened soon in Tirana or Koritsa, following Greece's repeated appeals.

[07] ITALIAN PLAN FOR ADRIATIC CORRIDOR CATCHES GREECE'S INTEREST

According to the greek Minister of Transport and Communications Haris Kastanides, the italian initiative is viewed with great interest by Greece as it is considered to be a project of colossal dimensions.

The Transport Minister stated that "there is a very interesting policy on behalf of Greece in the inter-european networks regarding transport," and added that "Greece participates in the 14 primary inter-european networks with two national projects. We are determined to utilize the european policy and our national capabilities."

[08] SOUTHEAST EUROPE TRANSPORT CONFERENCE HELD IN THESSALONIKI

The three-day conference, to conclude tomorrow, features discussions on land, air and port infrastructure, as well as studies of the network of road arteries in the Balkan region and their connections to the european networks.

[09] THESSALONIKI-CONSTANTINOPLE TO BE LINKED VIA INTERCITY RAILWAY

Mr. Tungel, currently in Thessaloniki to attend the 1st Conference of Combined Transport and Transit Flows of Southeast Europe, stated that various meetings held between the general directors of the greek and turkish railways during the past year and a half have resulted in a close, bilateral cooperation. The decision to use the Intercity on the Thessaloniki-Constantinople itinerary was taken during a greek railway general director's visit to Constantinople.

"Intercity will transport passengers," stated Mr. Tungel, adding "but I believe that this could be the start of an increased cooperation in the area of freight transport as well."

According to Tungel, combined transport can play an important role in improving relations between the two countries.

"We, as a state-owned railway are ready to give every effort to cooperate," he stated.