MPA NEWS IN BRIEF (27/06/1996)

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 27, 1996

TITLES

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] PASOK FOURTH CONGRESS BEGINS WITH PLEDGES IN THE NAME OF ANDREAS

With repeated appeals for unity and extensive references to its founder Andreas Papandreou, PASOK's fourth Congress began today with more than 5,000 party delegates participating.

Minister of Environment, City Planning and Public Works Kostas Laliotis, who is also a member of the Executive Bureau, characterized the Congress as a turning point in the party's life, stating that "we are here alone, at this most critical moment, without our founder. Andreas Papandreou didn't have the chance to finish his message to the congress. But through his absence, he calls on us and challenges us to breath new life and open great horizons for the generations to come."

Mr. Lalliotis, in his appeal to the delegates to stay united, stated that "we should give our pledges for unity, the potential and the victorious path of the great democratic movement."

Moreover, extensive references were made on the organization of the Council of Greeks Abroad and the appointment of Thessaloniki as the epicenter of Ecumencial Hellenism.

[02] HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AT CYPRUS' OCCUPIED TERRITORY, SAYS BRITISH MP

There are blatant violations of the human rights and basic freedoms of the Greek-Cypriots who are living in the island's occupied territory, stated the British Labour Party parliamentarian Tom Cox in his address to the Council of Europe's parliamentary assembly.

Mr. Cox characteristically stated that the Greek-Cypriots living in the occupied territory have become a minority in their own country, due to the systematic persecution they are subjected to by the Denktash regime.

The Labour Party parliamentarian also stated that children living in the occupied territory do not have the right to education as there is no provision for post-high school academic training.

"They are forced to leave home and are not allowed to ever return to their parents. There are strict limitations placed on church services and it has come to my understanding that the church bells are not allowed to toll when the services take place."

Mr. Cox expressed the hope that a Council of Europe delegation will soon visit the occupied territory in order to examine on the spot the living conditions.

Meanwhile, British Prime Minister John Major met with the United Nations Secretary-Gerenal Butros Ghali in London today and conveyed to him his country's determination to promote the efforts in reinstating talks between both sides in Cyprus.

Mr. Major also said that the British representative for the Cypriot issue Sir David Hunney will cooperate with the UN.

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