MPA NEWS IN BRIEF (08/05/1996)

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 May 8, 1996

TITLES

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] GREEK PRESIDENT ARRIVED IN THE UNITED STATES

Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos is in Washington D.C. today, embarking on his official, nine-day visit to the United States.

Speaking to Macedonian Press Agency reporters during his flight to the US, the President stated that he looks forward to the improvement of Greek-American relations, although he added that he does not have specific expectations from his visit to the White House, while noting that the Greek Premier's recent visit to the US, as well as the Turk Premier's and Turk President's, is "a matter of balances."

The President's aircraft landed at Andrews Air Force Base last night and was ceremoniously welcomed with military honors.

"With special joy I arrive at the United States, a friend and ally country, following an invitation by President Bill Clinton, with whom I will meet on May 9," the President stated upon his arrival.

"I will hold talks with the US President regarding Greek- American relations and we will exchange points of view on the situation in Southeastern Europe, as well as Europe and the world in whole," President Stephanopoulos added.

He went on to say that his joy is especially pronounced as he will meet with outstanding members of the American government and administration, "having the opportunity to hear their interesting points of view on a series of issues of specific or general interest.

"You understand the significance of such a trip for the President of the Hellenic Republic, when he arrives at the US to meet, in the larger part of his travel, Greeks abroad, these able and distinguished American citizens, who maintain indissoluble bonds with Greece and their love for their country which they display at every opportunity," the President stated.

[02] THE PRESIDENT'S FULL SCHEDULE IN WASHINGTON TODAY

Today, Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos embarks on his nine-day official visit to the United States with a full itinerary.

This morning began with breakfast at Blair House, shared with US newspaper columnists Tim Hoagland, Tom Lippman and Steven Rosenfeld and "Washington Post" publisher Katherine Graham.

Following the meal, he will lay a wreath at the Arlington National Cemetery where he will visit US President John F. Kennedy's gravesite, as well as the tombs of the fallen Challenger astronauts.

Afterwards, the President will return to Blair House where he will meet with US Congress and Administration officials who are distinguished members of the Greek-American community.

In the afternoon he will grant an exclusive interview to CNN and will visit George Washington University where he will meet with Greek professors and students.

This evening, he will attend a dinner-inauguration of the "Conference on the Greek-US Relationship and the Future of Southeastern Europe", which is jointly organized by the Institute for Foreign Policy of Law and Diplomacy and the Konstantinos Karamanlis Foundation.

The President will speak on "Strengthening stability in a troubled area: Greece's role in the Balkans."

President Stephanopoulos will remain in Washington until Friday, May 10, when he will depart for Atlanta.

[03] GREEK PRESIDENT TO MEET WITH BILL CLINTON TOMORROW

President Kostis Stephanopoulos will meet with US President Bill Clinton tomorrow in the White House, where he will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, Greek Ambassador to the US Lukas Tsilas, and the Hellenic Republic's Secretary-General E. Gigas, during the first of two successive meetings.

Also present at this meeting, from the US side, will be Vice- President Al Gore, National Security Advisor Anthony Lake, and - possibly- Secretary of State Warren Christopher.

A second, and longer, session will follow, where the Greek team will be joined by Education Minister George Papandreou, the first General Director of the Foreign Ministry Mr. Filon, the Director of Bilateral Relations Mr. Ladopoulos, the Director of the Foreign Ministry's Diplomatic Office Mr. Zografos and his counterpart from the Office of the Hellenic Republic Mr. Kaklikis.

On the US behalf at this meeting, aside from President Clinton, Mr. Gore, Mr. Lake and Mr. Christopher, will be the White House Personnel Director Leon Panetta, the US Ambassador to Athens Thomas Niles, the US Assistant Secretary of State John Kornblum, and the Presidential Aide and Director of European Affairs of the National Security Council Mr. Vershbow.

Following the meeting, the two Presidents will give a joint press conference.

In turn, President Stephanopoulos will go to the State Department, where he will attend a meal hosted in his honor by Vice-President Al Gore.

In the evening, the President will meet with Senators Dole and Dachle, as well as other members of the US Congress.

Later that night, President Clinton and his wife Hillary, will host a dinner-gala at the White House grounds to honor the Greek head of state.

[04] GREEK PEACE TRAIN ARRIVES IN BOSNIA'S BIELINA WITH 400 TONS OF AID

The Greek train of peace transporting 400 tons of humanitarian aid to Bosnia, arrived in Bielina, was triumphantly welcomed by the local authorities today.

The belief that the historic friendship among Greek and Serb peoples will be strengthened, was expressed by the Army Colonel of the Bosnianserb Republic Peter Peiker.

Bielina mayor Dragomir Lubojevic noted that during recent years, the Boosnianserbs are inundated with the support, moral and physical, expressed by the Greek people, especially during a time when the whole world was against them.

"The Greek people's support was significant and contributed to the Serbs' effort to stand on their feet and not allow our historical enemies, Muslims and Croats, to bring us to our knees as they've wanted to do for a hundred years," stated Lubojevic. He added that in his city today there are approximately 50,000 refugees and hundreds of disabled war veterans who, as they themselves state, are willing to fight again if needed. The Bielina mayor expressed his satisfaction because his people "finally have their own republic-state, although it is not what they actually deserved."

The Greek mission's leader, President of the Institute for Developing Balkan Cooperation (IDBC) Miltos Karakepelis, wished upon the Serb people to never have to face the horrors of war again, meaning the Bosnianserbs, and added that today's aid is the last part of the humanitarian effort to arrive in Bielina. He also pointed out that the coordinating body of the Macedonian and Thrace organizations that collected this aid, amounting to 270 million drachmas worth of foodstuffs, clothing and medical supplies, decided to deliver it to the Bosnianserb military in order to secure a fair distribution.

More than 60 Northern Greece organizations participated in the effort to collect the aid, which was brainstormed last summer and began to take form in the fall, prior to the Dayton Agreement.

Participating in the mission, aside from the IDCB, are organizations from the prefectures of Kozani, Drama, Kavala, Pella, as well as municipalities of Thessaloniki.

While in Bosnia, the mission will visit Sarajevo and Pale, where it will meet with Radovan Koradic and General Mladic.

[05] CYPRIOT PRESIDENT WILL MEET WITH UN SECRETARY-GENERAL IN JUNE

Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides is scheduled to meet with the United Nations Secretary-General Butros Ghali on June 12 in Geneva.

Following their meeting, Mr. Clerides will travel to Washington where he will meet with United States President Bill Clinton.

[06] CYPRIOT PRESIDENT GLAFKOS CLERIDES MEETS WITH GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER

The Unified Defense Area Doctrine is moving forward at a quick pace and quite satisfactorily, stated the Minister of National Defense Gerasimos Arsenis this morning, following his meeting with the Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides in Athens.

When asked to what degree does the millitary accord between Greece and Israel affect Cyprus, given Israel's similar accord with Turkey, Mr. Arsenis stated that it concerns a significant agreement that promotes peace and stability in the region to the benefit of all countries.

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