NEWS IN BRIEF (08/04/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency Brief News in English Directory

BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN BY MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY

(08/04/1996)

CONTENTS

[01] FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA REGOGNIZES FYROM

The accord was signed in Belgrade this afternoon by the Foreign Ministers of FYROM and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Ljubomir Frchkovski and Milan Milutinovic, respectively.

The formal announcement issued by the FRY Foreign Ministry refers to the accord as an "Agreement on Normalization of Relations", officially establishing diplomatic relations on the level of embassies.

The Agreement on Normalization of Relations states that "the Foreign Ministers of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Milan Milutinovic and the Republic of 'Macedonia' Ljubomir Frchkovski signed today an agreement concerning the re-establishment of relations and co-operation between the two countries. The Republic of 'Macedonia'," as Skopje is referred to in the ministerial announcement, "recognizes in Yugoslavia the continuation of its legal and state entity."

Following the signing of the agreement, FYROM's Foreign Minister stated that this recognition opens new horizons to the co- operation between the two countries, underlining that there are still many more issues which must be settled for the promotion of co-operation.

In turn, the Yugoslav Foreign Minister underlined that the signing of the agreement will contribute to the restoration of relations between their countries.

The two sides agreed to embark on talks regarding the trade and economic co-operation between FYROM and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

[02] A NEW ERA IN GREEK-AMERICAN RELATIONS

The aim of the Premier's visit to the U.S is the presentation of the Greek government's positions regarding the long-term strategy of Greece for the greater issues that are of mutual interest with the U.S. government.

Concurrently, a closer communication with the Greeks abroad will be sought as well as with businesses and institutions that can play a significant role in the dissemination of the greek positions into the american society.

The central aim is to promote a new era in Greek-US relations which will result in a gradual upgrading of Greece's role in the region and a bolstering of international support national issues.

The talks will center around Greece's aims which are to constructively participate in the reinstatement and establishment of peace in the Balkans, in the application of the democratic principles, freedom and justice in the wider region and the respect of human rights.

Other aims are to promote the economic co-operation and development in the Balkans, to aid other Balkan countries to adjust to the challenges presented by the international developments, and to call atention to the dangers presented to the wider region by the turkish aggression.

Also, suggested as a solution to the recent Imia crisis will be the resort to the International Law rules and specifically the international accords and the final abandonment of war threats as a means of political juxtaposition.

Among Greece's aims will also be securing its positions on Cyprus, for a fair and viable solution to the cypriot issue.

Moreover, other targets include: to develop the importance and opportunities of Greece-US economic co-operation, to promote the development of peace and welfare in the area.

To explore the possibilities of common greek-american initiatives.

To point out the importance of the greek-american community's participation in order to embark on a new period of creativity and establish the presence of hellenism beyond Greece's borders.

[03] GREEK PREMIER'S VISIT TO U.S. MARKED BY CONTACTS WITH U.S. LEADERS

His week-long itinerary is marked by successive meetings with American officials and leaders of the greek-american community.

Today in Washington, Mr. Simitis laid a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery and will give a speech at the National Press Club. In the evening, he will meet with leaders of the greek community at a dinner organized in a Washington hotel.

Foreign Affairs Minister Theodoros Pangalos will meet with U.S. President Bill Clinton's national security advisor Tony Lake, will visit the editorial staff of the Washington Post and Washington Times newspapers and will address the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Tomorrow, Mr. Simtis will meet with Mr. Clinton in the evening after an afternoon meeting with Defense Secretary William Perry in the Pentagon.

On Wednesday morning he will have private talks with Secretary of State Warren Christopher at the State Department.

On Thursday, the Premier will speak at Yale University and meet with Archbishop of North and South America Iakovos.

He will also meet with United Nations Secretary-General Boutros Boutros Ghali.

[04] ALBANIAN TRIES TO SMUGGLE 21 KILOS OF HASHISH INTO GREECE

Panteli Marco hid the 40 plastic-covered bags containing the hashish in his truck's reservoir and was arrested when he tried to cross the Florina border in Krystallopigi.

According to the police, the suspect was to turn over the bags to another Albanian man in Thessaloniki.

[05] CYPRIOT FOREIGN MINISTER TABLES RESOLUTIONS DATING BACK 22 YEARS

In his statements before the Council, Mr. Mihaelides said that Cyprus does not seek new resolutions on the cypriot issue, but, rather, wants the application of the previous ones.

Referring to the mapping of Cyprus' occupied territory and national waters by the Denktash regime, the Cypriot diplomat stated that the effort of the occupied territory's regime aims at political recognition. However, Mr. Mihaelides added, this aim will not succeed as the cypriot government is proceeding to issue letters of protest addressed to all the international organizations involved in the solving of the Cypriot issue.

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