MPA NEWS IN BRIEF (09/04/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency Brief News in English Directory

BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN BY MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY

Thessaloniki 9 April 1996

TITLES

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] GREEK PRIME MINISTER TO MEET U.S PRESIDENT CLINTON THIS EVENING

Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis will meet with United States President Bill Clinton in the White House, this evening at 7 pm Greek time.

According to reports, Mr. Simitis will present to Mr. Clinton Greek national issues.

This afternoon he is scheduled to meet with U.S. Defense Secretary William Perry in the Pentagon.

On Wednesday morning the Greek Premier will have private talks with U.S. 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 on Friday.

In his week-long official visit to the U.S. the Greek Premier is accompanied by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs Theodoros Pangalos, National Economy Yiannos Papantoniou and Press and Media Dimitris Reppas.

[02] GREEK PREMIER ADDRESSES THE NATIONAL PRESS CLUB

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis reiterated yesterday that it is Turkey who must take the initiative to go to the International Court of Justice for resolution of its sovereignty claims in the Aegean Sea.

Addressing the National Press Club in Washington last night, Mr. Simitis stated that "Turkey must go to the International Court of Justice, it is not for us to do it." If Turkey thinks it has claims on the islets, it should go to The Hague."

When asked whether Greece had "backed off" a military confrontation with Turkey over Imia, Mr. Simitis responded, "we didn't back off. We didn't want war... But this does not mean that in future cases we will not decide to fight. We are ready to fight."

Also, Mr. Simitis referred to the recent State Department warning issued to American travelers that the Athens airport falls short of international security standards.

The Premier stated that "this was a very unfortunate decision... Mrs. Clinton was in Athens (recently) and was very secure," he stated.

[03] GREEK PREMIER MEETS WITH GREEK-AMERICAN COMMUNITY LEADERS

"I am happy, because at a time so significant for Greece, I am near the most important part of hellenism, the Greeks abroad," stated Prime Minister Kostas Simitis in his address to the prominent members of the Greek-American community, given last night at a gala organized in his honor.

Mr. Simitis assured the overseas Greeks that he personally and the Greek government grant significant importance to the Greek community's role overseas.

"The diaspora is Hellenism's power base," stated the Premier, adding, "you live in a powerful country and use your power correctly. We, in Greece, are proud of your accomplishments and your successes in all areas, from politics and economy to the sciences, the arts and sports."

[04] FOREIGN MINISTER ADDRESSES CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT IN WASHINGTON

Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, speaking yesterday evening at Washington's Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, defined Greece's foreign policy keystones for an audience consisting of more than 100 U.S. academics, researchers and State Department officials.

The Foreign Minister stated that Greece respects international law and the internationally-recognized borders and promotes peaceful co-operation.

Referring to the Balkan region, Mr. Pangalos pointed out that in that area Greece is in essence a "superpower", both politically and economically.

Moreover, he underlined Greece's good relations with the Balkan countries, emphasizing that the current problems are steadily decreasing and will eventually disappear all together.

Mr. Pangalos expressed his optimism for the development of the Cypriot issue, stating that in 1998 Cyprus' accession process to the European Union will begin.

The Foreign Minister also stated that he favors the gradual approach of the two communities on the island, and said that holes must be opened in the wall that divides Cyprus in two.

[05] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER SPEAKS TO CNN

Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos expressed his hope that a solution will be found to the FYROM name issue, through the negotiations taking place with the mediation of the United Nations.

Answering to a question posed by the television channel CNN whether the name "Macedonia" is negotiable, Mr. Pangalos stated that "everything is negotiable except our existence and our freedom."

[06] FOREIGN MINISTER MET WITH U.S . SECURITY ADVISOR

Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos met with United States President Bill Clinton's national security advisor Tony Lake today in the White House.

The two men discussed the situation in the Southeastern Mediterranean and, according to reports, Mr. Pangalos asked Mr. Lake that the U.S. exert pressure on Turkey in order to stop the provocations in the Aegean Sea.

Today, Mr. Pangalos will visit the editorial staff of the Washington Post and Washington Times newspapers.

[07] GOLD MINING IN HALKIDIKI TO CONTINUE, SAYS NATIONAL ECONOMY UNDERMINISTER

"The government is determined to continue and will continue steadily. It is time that we understand that we must oppose this unproductive and stale climate, with a responsible stance towards our country," stated the Underminister of National Economy Christos Pachtas, in an interview to the Macedonian Press Agency, referring to the gold production project in Olympiada, in the Halkidiki peninsula.

The investment, according to Mr. Pachtas, will be tabled for ratification in Parliament near the end of April.

Regarding the continuous protests by area residents, who are opposed to the project because they say that it will destroy a tourist area and will cause environmental pollution, the Underminister stated that he is sorry that "a portion of residents has not yet realized the project's necessity" and he pointed out that all those interested can attend an informative seminar scheduled to take place on April 21 and 22 in Halkidiki where the public will be informed that the project is environmentally sound and that all the environmental requirements have been met.

The project, operated by TVX-Gold Hellas, an affiliate of the Canadian mining company TVX Gold Inc., will cost the greek government 63 billion drachmas. TVX Gold foresees that the project will triple gold output to 1.2 million ounces by 1998.

According to TVX Gold officials, modern technology will be used to release fine gold contained in quartz and pyrite reserves at the mines. The arsenic content in ore will be stabilized to avoid leaching and effluent that would pollute the enviornment. Also, stockpiles will be treated.

The gold production plant is scheduled to be completed by 1997.

[08] CYPRUS, GREECE AIM TO LAUNCH A COMMON SATELLITE

The Transportation Ministries of Greece and Cyprus have embarked on plans to launch a common satellite before the year 1999, based on an inter-governmental agreement between the two countries.

Concurrently, the Ministries have filed requests with the International Telecommunications Union in order to secure earth- stationary positions.

This Greek-Cypriot satellite would replace the previous satellite attempts, Greece's Hellas-Sat and Cyprus' Kipros-Sat, since the two would have competed against each other.

Currently, both countries are researching the market in order to assess the interest from countries and channels which would want to be included in the common satellite. According to ministerial reports, the first signs of market interst are more than encouraging.

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