From: miltos@nfl2.irc.nrc.ca Subject: News (in ENGLISH)- Sat, 16 Oct 1993 (Greek Press Office BBS, Ottawa). Bulletin -------- , 16/10/1993 ( ) A.N.A. Athens, 16/10/1993 (ANA): Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou yesterday ruled out any dialogue on the name of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). Speaking to reporters after a meeting with US head of mission James Williams, Mr. Papandreou said: ``... there will not be any dialogue that concerns the name of that country. No dialogue. Any dialogue, in any framework, that concerns the name has been terminated``. He added that the US had not expressed any intent to recognise Skopje and said the recent Chinese decision to recognise Skopje as ``Macedonia`` had been taken during a vacuum in that country's leadership. He also announced that Greece would launch a new peace initiative in the Balkans. ``Greece will undertake new initiatives in support of both peace and the rapid development of (stronger) economic ties (in the Balkans)``, Mr. Papandreou told reporters. He added that Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias wouls be despatched to all Balkan capitals early next month in support of these initiatives. The mission will take place after the government presents its policy statements to parliament next week. Mr. Papandreou said he and Mr. williams had also discussed bilateral relations and an invitation extended by US President Bill Clinton for an official visit to Washington. The premier said the visit would take place either at the end of this year or early next year after Greece assumes the European Community's rotating presidency. Government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos issued the following statement yesterday: ``The prime minister clarified again today (yesterday) Greece's position on the issue of Skopje's name and said this issue cannot be the subject of a dialogue. The United Nations process with the previous government accepted, as well as the entire framework of the positions which the new Greek government will support, are being studied by the foreign ministry. These issues will be the subject of relevant announcements by the foreign minister and a chapter of the policy statement the government will present to parliament``. Earlier, Mr. Venizelos had reiterated the government's firm opposition to the recognition of any state on its northern borders with the name ``Macedonia`` or any of its derivatives. ``The sole deterrant diplomatic strategy is that which is included in the statement that Greece will not recognise any state on its northern borders under the name `Macedonia` or any of its derivatives``, said Mr. Venizelos. He also expressed the government's firm belief that this position would be taken ``into serious consideration by all countries who recognise that Greece is an factor of peace and stability in the southern Balkans``. Athens, 16/10/1993 (ANA): Speaking to reporters after his meetings with European Commission Vice President Sir Leon Brittan and US head of mission Jame Williams, Mr. Papandreou said: ``I received Mr. Brittan from the Commission today (yesterday) and we had the opportunity to also discuss broader issues, such as GATT and the well-known issue of the Uraguay round that naturally concerns Greece as well. As you are aware, France also has substantial reservations (on this issue). ``But we spoke primarily about the period ahead for Europe, the Greek presidency (of the European Community) and its basic goals. And it is simple, first the need for a social Europe. Maastricht's goals cannot be only monetary, (or aimed just at economic) stabilisation. They must, at the same time, take into account unemployment, (economic) stagnation, the recession from which Europe must exit, and social welfare. ``Secondly, (we discussed whether) there are levers, and what these are, so that Europe can begin to develop more quickly in order to reduce the tensions of the economic problems which exist today. ``The third (issue) concerns Europe's competitiveness, the need to increase productivity. Not lowering babour (costs) but increasing productivity. ``And finally the issue of the Balkans and the role that Europe ought to play in the region. You know the situation, I won't repeat it. We made it clear that we can, truly, play an active role in this region at many levels. This is all regarding Mr. Brittan's visit. ``A visit by the US charge d' affaires, Mr. Willimas, followed, where (the following) were discussed: first, the issue of my visit to the White House. We do not know the precise date. There is a possibility (the visit may occur) before the end of the year or immediately after the beginning of the new year, in which case I will, of course, have two capacities, not just one. ``With regards to our bilateral relations, the preferred period would be before the end of the year but these (issues) have not been decided. You will be informed of the exact date. ``A discussion followed that concerned the bilateral relations between Greece and the United States in many areas and a quite extensive discussion also followed on the Balkans, where I had the opportunity to emphasise that Greece would undertake new initiatives, both in (support of) peace as well as for the development of economic relations at a fast pace. And I would like to announce that around the beginning of November, the foreign minister will visit all the capitals in the Balkans with the goals that I mentioned. That is all I had to state``. The premier then took questions from the press, when the following exchange took place: Journalist: ``Mr. Premier, I would like to return to the Skopje issue. According information, (UN negotiator on the Skopje issue Cyrus) Vance intends to invite the two sides to a dialogue on Octover 25, to begin the new phase of the dialogue. What will the Greek government do?``. Prime Minister: ``The foreign minister will respond at the appropriate time. What I can tell you is that there will not be any dialogue that concerns the name of that country. No dialogue. Any dialogue, in any framework, that concerns the name has been terminated``. Journalist: ``Mr. Premier, does the same apply for the (UN-proposed) confidence building measures (for Cyprus)?``. Prime Minister: ``I said that on other issues concerning Skopje, the minister will make announcements soon``. Athens, 16/10/1993 (ANA): Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou yesterday emphasized the need for the European Community to adopt policies that address the social dimensions of European union. ``These must be a social (dimension) to a (united) Europe``, he told reporters after a meeting with visiting European Commission Vice President Sir Leon Brittan. ``The goals set by the Maastricht treaty cannot be simply monetary. They must also take into account (the issues of) unemployment, (economic) stagnation, the recession and social welfare``, the premier said. He added that it was also necessary to create conditions that would spur growth and help reduce social tensions. Sir Leon, who is also the EC's commissioner for external trade, said he had held a ``constructive`` exchange on issues to be discussed in the next round of GATT negotiations that are of particular interest to Greece, including shipping and textiles. The commissioner also congratulated the PASOK leader on his victory in last Sunday's elections, adding that he was confident that there would be a ``good`` level of cooperation between the Commission and the Greek government. Government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos later said the meeting had also discussed Greece's basic agenda when it assumes the Community's rotating presidency in January, as well as the EC's relations with the US and the former communist countries. The meeting was also attended by Alternate Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, who met with Sir Leon earlier. Athens, 16/10/1993 (ANA): Alternate Foreign Minister Theodore Pangalos yesterday said Greece would support France's position on cultural and agricultural matters in the GATT Uruguay round of trade talks. ``We will stand by France's side on both issues, provided France stands by us, too``, Mr. Pangalos said. He said he would be meeting with the French ambassador this morning, adding a hope that ``discussion might bear fruit`` given his personal commitment to strengthening Greek-French ties. He added his conviction that such a feeling was predominant throughout Greece. ``There is a feeling of great friendship for France``, he stressed. Mr. Pangalos flies to Paris tomorrow to take part in the Schengen group meeting which will gather Ec foreign and migration ministers. He will then fly to Brussels to confer with members of the European Commisswion and its president Jacques Delors on issues such as the Greek presidency and the Delors II package of aid. Mr. Pangalos is also expected to meet with Greek Commissioner Ioannis Paleokrassas, and delegates of the Belgian presidency, including Belgian Foreign Minister Willy Claes. Discussion will focus on preparations for Greece's assumption of the EC presidency. Responding to a question on whether or not he looked forward to working with Commissioner Ioannis Paleokrassas, Mr. Pangalos said: ``I believe ... we shall have to cooperate for as long as he is commissioner``. EC foreign ministers are due to meet October 26 to prepare the agenda for EC summit on October 29. The summit is expected to focus on the world economy, GATT talks, relations with eastern Europe and developments in the EC. Mr. Pangalos said that PASOK had detailed a proposal on a presidency programme because ``it was preparing for events happening now``. Now is the time to update it on the strength of fresh contacts and existing possibilities, he said. Athens, 16/10/1993 (ANA): The government is to establish a new interministerial agency that will deal with EC matters, alternate Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos said yesterday. All matters relating to Greece's presidency of the European Community will be handled by the committee. Speaking at a press conference, Mr. Pangalos said the prime Minister had sent a circular to all ministries on the new body, which will convene at the foreign ministry at regular intervals. He said he would head the agency and that it would include the ministers, or respective undersecretaries, of the national economy, finance, agriculture and commerce ministries. The agency will be served by two sub-committees: a secretariat and a high-level working group. He said the secretariat's members would include the general secretaries of the competent ministries while the working group will be chaired by Ambassador George Genimatas, a senior foreign ministry official in charge of EC affairs. Athens, 16/10/1993 (ANA): The government yesterday expressed its profound grief at the death of sergeant Michalis Soumbouros, killed while participating in the UN peacekeeping mission in Somalia. Government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos reiterated Wednesday's statement by Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou, that the state would fully support the victim's family. He said the government would reconsider Greece's position on participating in the mission to Somalia after consulting with the United Nations and other participating countries. Athens, 16/10/1993 (ANA): Greek customs officials at the Promahonas border post have seized two trucks of frozen beef imported from Serbia in violation of the United Nations embargo, Serres police said yesterday. They said the truck drivers, Bulgarian nationals Sotirov Bokomil and Grant Grundev, had been arrested after customs officials determined that their bills of lading had been forged. The drivers claimed the frozen beef had been exported from Germany and was to be delivered to Greek importer Yiannis Emanuelides of Skydra. But a routine search of the refrigerator trucks uncovered a second set of documents listing Skopje as the loading point. Police said the drivers later confirmed the beef's Serbian origin and identified the shipment's consignee as Serbian national Savva Goric. Goric, who was following the trucks in his car, has also been arrested, police said.