MPA NEWS IN BRIEF (10/06/1996)

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, June 10, 1996

TITLES

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] PM PRESIDES OVER NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL, ISSUES WARNING TO ANKARA

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis addressed the government's National Security Council today, and warned Ankara that its aggressive strategy towards Greece, as well as its disregard for the principles and values that govern the european societies, will inevitably drive Turkey to a deadlock.

The Council examined the recent developments in greek-turkish relations and assessed the situation as it has been shaped by the latest turkish provocations.

The Premier, who presided the Council's session, emphasized that the government considers that Turkey's constant aggression towards Greece stems from the political instability noted in Ankara.

"Turkey systematically subverts the region's stability," stated the Premier, adding that Ankara's tactic to continuously make claims against Greece, in conjuction with the turkish Premier's recent statements, give additional dimensions to the provocations.

"Greece," the Premier underlined, "is determined to object this turkish strategy with every means."

Mr. Simitis added that the necessary diplomatic steps have been taken to inform Greece's allies and the international organizations which uphold the principles of peace and staility in the region and respect the rules of international law.

"The greek government and all of the greek people united with decisiveness and cool-headedness are ready to face the turkish provocations," the Premier concluded.

The National Security Council members adopted the Premier's stance unanimously.

[02] PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS DEPARTED FOR GERMANY TODAY

Greek President Constantinos Stephanopoulos departed for Germany today where he will meet with Chancellor Helmut Kohl, Federal President Mr. Hertzchong, and Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel.

The discussions will focus on the recent developments in the Balkan region and the greek-turkish relations. President Stephanopoulos will brief the German officials on Greece's firm positions on its national matters.

Accompanying President Stephanopoulos will be Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos.

[03] GREEK-FYROM TALKS ON NAME ISSUE RESUME IN NEW YORK TODAY

Greece's representative Christos Zacharakis and his counterpart from FYROM Ivan Tosevski will meet at the United Nations headquarters in New York today, in order to continue the negotiations regarding the name that will be used by FYROM.

The meeting is being held under the aegis of UN mediator Cyrus Vance, who will hold successive meetings with both Mr. Zacharakis and Mr. Tosevski.

The international mediator is expected to ask both sides to clarify their positions regarding the name.

United Nations diplomatic circles have noted that no significant outcomes are expected from this round of talks since, as they emphasized, the recently-noted hardening of Skopje's position on the name issue, as well as the increasing tension in greek-turkish relations do not provide the proper conditions for positive expectations in the settlement of the matter.

[04] CYPRIOT PRESIDENT EMBARKS ON SERIES OF HIGH CALIBER CONTACTS

Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides announced today that no significant developments are expected on the Cyprus issue in the immediate future, given the political instability noted in Turkey. Mr. Clerides assured that there should not be any concern that a worsened situation might erupt in either Cyprus or the Aegean, at least for the following months.

The Cypriot President will embark tomorrow on a 15- day tour of Europe and the United States, beginning with a meeting he will have tomorrow with United Nations Secretary-General Butros Ghali in Geneva.

After his one-day stop in Switzerland, Mr. Clerides will travel to New York where he will meet with the representatives from the five permanent members of the Security Council as well as with United States special envoy to Cyprus, Richard Beatty.

The following week, on June 18, President Clerides will meet with US President Bill Clinton in Washington, a meeting that is considered to be of utmost significance given the imminent american initiative on the Cypriot issue.

Earlier, he will have successive meeetings with US Secretary of State Warren Christopher, the House of Representatives Committee on International Affairs president Ben Gilman and members of the Senate's Foreign Affairs Committee.

On Wednesday, June 19, the President of Cyprus will travel to London where he will meet with British Prime Minister John Major and British Foreign Minister Malcolm Rifkind. On Thursday, June 20, he will move on to Florence, Italy where he will attend the European Union Summit, following an invitation issued by the Italian EU presidency.

[05] UN SEC-GEN'S REPORT ON CYPRIOT GUARD'S KILLING TO BE ISSUED TOMORROW

The United Nations Secretary-General's bi-annual report, to be released today or tomorrow, is expected to hold the turk-cypriot side responsible for the murder of the 19-year-old cypriot National Guardsman Stelios Panagis who was killed on June 3 at the island's disengagement area.

Buytros Ghali's report, which concerns the stay renewal of the peacekeeping forces in Cyprus, is also expected to hold the turkish side responsible for obstructing the peacekeeping forces efforts to provide aid to the dying guardsman.

Another report expected to be issued by Mr. Ghali this week, will refer to the lack of progress noted in the cypriot issue and to the appointment of the new Special Envoy of the UN to Cyprus, Han Sung Ju. This report will be published following Mr. Ghali's meeting with Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides in Geneva.

[06] TURKEY'S LIBERAL PARTY OFFERS CONDOLENCES FOR CYPRIOT GUARD'S DEATH

Turkey's Liberal Party has forwarded its condolences to the family of the greek-cypriot National Guardsman Stelios Panagis, who was killed on June 3 by the occupation forces near the island's demarcation line.

The condolences were published in the turkish daily "Zaman" where Liberal Party President Besim Tibuk wrote that his party proceeded in issuing its condolences because he believes that it reflects the turkish people's sadness over the incident. Tibuk has also invited the killed guard's family to Turkey.

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