From: "Theodoros Sp. Zarros" Subject: News (in ENGLISH)- Fri, 17 Dec 1993 (Greek Press Office BBS, Athens News Agency Bulletin, Dec. 17, 1993 Athens, 17/12/93 (ANA) - Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou yesterday had a meeting with US Ambassador to Athens Thomas Niles. Sources said discussion focused on developments in the Skopje issue. Mr Niles had a meeting earlier with Foreign Under-secretary George Papandreou. At a meeting with Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias earlier this week, Mr Niles had stated Washington remained steadfast in its position on Skopje. Athens, 17/12/93 (ANA) - Greece warned Skopje against misinterpreting moves yesterday by six European Union countries towards establishing diplomatic relations with it, while called on the governments of those countries to caution Skopje to abandon its provocative and uncompromising stance. France, Germany, Britain, Italy, the Netherlands and Denmark announced yesterday their decision to establish diplomatic ties with Former Yugoslav Republic of Yugoslavia (FYROM). Responding to questions, government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said Greece's response would not be governed by acts of other countries but, rather, Skopje's stance. "We are awaiting Skopje's reaction", the spokesman said, adding "time is running out". Mr Venizelos clarified establishment of diplomatic relations lay within the context of national sovereignty of various countries, stressing Greece's reaction would lie within the context of its own national sovereignty, and be reflected at international organisations. Speaking to reporters after a meeting with New Democracy and Opposition leader Miltiades Evert, French Ambassador Jean Cadet described his country's establishment of diplomatic relations with FYROM as "an important move" which "took place within the framework of relations which were mapped out together with Greece at the U.N." Recognition, Mr Cadet said, is a "temporary decision" which "facilitates establishment of diplomatic relations" with Skopje. Asked what measures Greece intended to take against Skopje, Mr Venizelos replied such measures were "obvious" especially to the Skopje government. When asked what acts by Skopje would Athens look upon as good will moves, the spokesman said giving up use of Greek symbols, 'liberating' designs and amending the preamble and article 49 of its Constitution. Asked if Greece would be willing to discuss the possibility of resuming dialogue if Skopje satisfied one of the conditions set by Athens, Mr Venizelos said satisfaction of only one condition would be "a positive, but not an adequate sign". Mr Venizelos added any resumption of dialogue would take place within the framework of the U.N. but it would no sequel to the dialogue initiated by the previous (Conservative) government. He said it would be a fresh dialogue held on the basis of the manner in which the Skopje issue was set out in Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias' letter to U.N. Secretary General Boutros Ghali. Commenting on former Prime Minister Constantine Mitsotakis' statements on government policy on Skopje, the spokesman said they were "provocative" and accused him of being "mainly responsible for developments on the Skopje issue". Mr Mitsotakis earlier issued a statement calling on the government 'not to surrender", but return to the UN-sponsored dialogue with Skopje, calling the breaking off of that dialogue by the PASOK ruling party, 'precipitate", "unforgivable" and the cause of "today's recognitions". The former Premier also said there would be other diplomatic recognitions, probably from the United States. In an another development, Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras called on New Democracy party and Opposition leader Miltiades Evert "to table a motion of censure against the Papandreou government in Parliament" adding his party would jointly sponsor it. New Democracy later rejected Mr Samaras' proposal accusing him for "irresponsibility and demagogy". Meanwhile in Skopje, Foreign Under-secretary Victor Gaber yesterday dismissed rumours it would change its national flag. But press and diplomatic sources in Skopje said it was almost certain it would trade recognition by European countries with changing its flag, in an effort to reduce Greek reaction. Madrid, 17/12/93 (AFP) - Spain will make no decision on establishing relations with Skopje in the next few days, Foreign Minister Javier Solana said in Madrid yesterday. "Spain will not take any decision in the next few days (...) I hope the decision (taken by EU countries) will not have any negative repercussions", he added. Paris, 17/12/93 (ANA - O. Tsipira) - "Procedures for establishing diplomatic relations between France and Skopje are under way", French Foreign Ministry spokesman Richard Duque said yesterday. He explained France's General representative in Skopje was yesterday instructed to begin examining Skopje protocol for establishing diplomatic relations and setting out a time schedule. Mr Duque added a Foreign Ministry representative was due in Skopje before the end of the year, to deliver a letter making establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries official. Meanwhile, commenting on Skopje diplomatic recognition, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe yesterday told the press: "We have briefed our partners on our intentions, which happen to be similar to theirs". "It is a step, which, I hope, the 11 will take", Mr Juppe added. He made it clear it was no case of granting recognition, since the country had already been recognised as a member of the United Nations. "It is a matter of establishing diplomatic relations, which is very important. I believe Greek authorities understand that", he added. The Minister said the French government would grant Skopje recognition as Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), adding a hope agreement would be reached on a final name. Bonn, 17/12/93 (ANA - P. Stangos) - "There is agreement among a row of states to grant the 'Republic of Macedonia' recognition at a specified time ...". German Chancellor Helmut Kohl yesterday reminded the press, defending his government's decision to proceed with granting Skopje diplomatic recognition. Mr Kohl further told journalists Germany had played no pioneering role on the matter, stressing it was only a matter of days before his country established diplomatic relations with the Balkan state. Meanwhile, a German Foreign Ministry spokesman confirmed German General Consul Hans-Lottar Stepan had handed a note to the government in Skopje. Athens, 17/12/93 (ANA) - A bill for establishing an integrated urban transportation agency was passed by Parliament yesterday. New Democracy (main Opposition party) deputies withdrew from the debate, declaring they would restore SEP (Transport Enterprises) when their party came back to power. Meanwhile, Transport and Communications Under-secretary Thanassis Tsouras yesterday said "the problem in Athens public transportation will be settled in ten days now that the bill has been passed". Mr Tsouras added there was no point in continuing the dialogue on the bill, since the majority of bus drivers had been pressured not to surrender licences. "But it is my belief they will surrender them soon though", he added. No driver has received a draft notice so far. Athens, 17/12/93 (ANA) - Admiral Christos Lymberis (Ret.) was appointed Chief of the National Defence General Staff, at a meeting of Government Foreign Affairs and Defence Council for (KYSEA) chaired by Premier Andreas Papandreou yesterday. Lieutenant General Constantine Voulgaris (Ret.), Vice Admiral Ioannis Stangas and Air Marshall Athanassios Tzoganis (Ret.) were restored on active service. KYSEA will meet again shortly to appoint chiefs of general staff for the armed services. Nicosia, 17/12/93 (ANA/CNA) - Cyprus Defence Minister Costas Eliades will visit Greece next week, for talks with his Greek counterpart, Gerasimos Arsenis, on matters of mutual interest. Government spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides announced yesterday that Mr Eliades' visit would take place on December 22-23. The Minister will be accompanied by the Commander of the island's National Guard, Lieutenant-General Georgios Siradakis. Athens, 17/12/93 (ANA) - A report to parliament yesterday accused former New Democracy Prime Minister Constantine Mitsotakis and his daughter, former Culture Minister Dora Bakoyianni, of involvement in illegal eavesdropping. The report by prosecutor Achilleas Dafoulis recommended an official inquiry into whether other deputies in the 300-member parliament were also involved. The report, released to journalists, said that from 1988 to 1991 there had been repeated "violation of telephone calls, of discussions, of usage, of information and tapes obtained in illegal ways". It added: "Former Prime Minister Constantine Mitsotakis and (his daughter) former Culture Minister Dora Bakoyianni, seem to have committed these illegal acts which, in other circumstances, would bring immediate criminal charges".