Subject: Athens News Agency Bulletin, February 3, 1995 Topic: ana --------------------------------------------- (Apo to Ellnviko Grafeio Tupou kai Plnroforiwv, Ottawa, Canada E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca) * Papoulias: efforts for date for Cyprus entry to EU 'on track' * Greece objects to State Dep't report * European foreign ministers meet with Turkey in London * French military chief welcomes Greek entry to WEU * Greece critical of Turkish 'hue and cry' over Aegean waters issue * Arsenis satisfied with passing of defence ministry bill * Arsenis to attend German security policy conference * Rescue teams continue search for missing F-5s * Thessaloniki University awaits conclusive proof on Alexander tomb * Athens conference to examine effect of Iraq embargo * National Bank: EIB loans to Greece can be doubled Papoulias: efforts for date for Cyprus entry to EU 'on track' ------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 03/02/1995 (ANA) Efforts to set a date for a start to negotiations for Cyprus' admission to the EU "are on the right track", Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias said yesterday, after meeting with his Cypriot counterpart Alecos Michaelides, in the presence of European Affairs Minister George Alexander Mangakis. Mr. Michaelides arrived in Athens after meetings in Strasbourg with several counterparts, and in Brussels with Commissioner Hans van den Broek, who supports the French plan for the admission of Cyprus to the EU. The Cypriot foreign minister stated that the approaching of the time when negotiations for Cypriot entry will begin necessitated closer co-ordination between Athens and Nicosia. Along with Mr. Papoulias, he expressed the view that Mr. van den Broek was positively disposed towards the Greek Cypriot positions. Replying to questions on whether Bonn would support these positions, he said the matter was in progress and that efforts would continue, given that it was necessary to obtain the agreement of the remaining 14 EU member states. He added that in the absence of special reasons, it would have been impossible for Cyprus to push for the setting of dates for negotiations without Greece's assistance. Mr. Michaelides is leaving for Bonn tomorrow for talks on the issue with his German counterpart Klaus Kinkel. Greece objects to State Dep't report ------------------------------------ Athens, 03/02/1995 (ANA) Greece said yesterday it would formally protest the Greek chapter of a US State Department report, describing it as "inaccurate." Government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said Greece had already made known its objections to the sections of the report concerning the country and intended to lodge a protest, particularly over that part referring to self-designated "Macedonians." "The extensive reference and specific description of the issue in the report is unjustifiable," Mr. Venizelos said. Foreign Ministry spokesman Constantine Bikas described the report as an "internal document of the US with a descriptive text", adding that "certain points (in the report), which concern Greece, are debatable or inaccurate". Mr. Venizelos added, however, that the positions contained in the report, which he said was for "domestic American use", and not a diplomatic document, did not reflect US policy. Mr. Venizelos stressed that the report contained many inaccuracies and was vague and had provoked reactions in other countries such as France. Replying to questions, Mr. Venizelos said that Greece's Ambassador in Washington, Lucas Tsilas, had asked the State Department for an official explanation concerning the way in which a State Department official recently used the term "national minority" to describe the Moslem minority of Thrace in northern Greece. The Foreign Ministry's spokesman added Greece, contrary to other countries in the region, and especially its eastern neighbour, is a "state ruled by law and respects human rights," he said. Mr. Bikas also said the Greek government had lodged a demarche with the US Embassy in Athens and the US government over the recent State Department intervention concerning a self-declared Moslem religious leader convicted of appropriating authority. He was referring to Mehmet Amin Aga, a self-declared mufti of Xanthi, who was convicted two weeks ago of unlawfully assuming the title. He was imprisoned last week after refusing to appeal the conviction or pay off his sentence A Political Spring party spokesman said that the State Department's report "distorts reality and serves expediencies which could only create problems in the sensitive Balkan region." European foreign ministers meet with Turkey in London ----------------------------------------------------- London, 03/02/1995 (ANA - L. Tsirigotakis) The foreign ministers of Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Turkey met here yesterday to discuss Turkey's future relations with Europe in "intensified but unofficial dialogue", a statement said. A joint announcement issued at the end of a meeting at Lancaster House, which also discussed Turkey' bid to sign a customs union agreement with the European Union, said the purpose of the initiative aimed at promoting an intensified but unofficial dialogue between Turkey and western European countries having special interests in the region. The spirit underlined in the announcement also reflects an assessment of the important geographical and political role played by Turkey at present. German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel said Turkey could function as an important "bridging factor" to the Islamic world and Asia. The announcement said issues discussed included the situation in the Mediterranean, the Cyprus issue and the question of human rights in Turkey. In this context, Turkish Foreign Minister Murat Karayalcin said his government was committed to proceeding with constitutional and legal measures to protect human rights. The issue of Turkey's customs union with the European Union was referred to in questions put to the foreign ministers. Mr. Karayalcin said he had recently received "positive and encouraging messages and information" from European colleagues and the Turkish ambassador to Athens that the Greek government was examining the possibility of lifting the Greek veto on the question of Turkey's customs union with the EU. The customs union between Turkey and the EU was put on hold last year when Greece vetoed the agreement, arguing that it could not go ahead unless a date was set for the commencement of talks on Cyprus' entry to the 15-member bloc and Turkey's improvement of its poor human rights record. Commenting on the Cyprus issue, Mr. Karayalcin expressed the hope it could be "resolved soon." British Foreign Secretary Douglas Hurd stressed the need for a viable solution to be found to the problem of Cyprus, otherwise "the situation will become once again dangerous." Replying to a questioner on the time negotiation talks on Cyprus' accession to the EU would start, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppi said they would begin after the intergovernmental conference of 1996 on institutional amendments to the Maastricht Treaty. Asked why Greece was not invited to the meeting, Mr. Hurd said it was an initiative lying outside the EU, adding that the Greek government was fully informed on the meeting's discussions and assessments. Greece, however, said yesterday it had expressed its displeasure to the four European Union member states participating in the London meeting. Government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said that Greece had told the governments of Britain, Germany, France and Italy that "such actions do not help strengthen the pillar of common foreign policy and political security." The spokesman added that "such types of group initiatives should not replace, nor give the impression that they replace Community initiatives." The London meeting was also due to be discussed during separate talks yesterday between visiting Cyprus Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides and Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias and Alternate Foreign Minister George Alexander Mangakis, who is responsible for EU affairs, foreign ministry spokesman Costas Bikas said. In talks Wednesday with German Ambassador to Athens Leopold Bill von Bredow, the spokesman added, Mr. Papoulias expressed concern over "whether such initiatives and groupings contribute to the correct attainment of a common EU foreign policy." The spokesman said that Mr. Papoulias was due to meet later yesterday with the British ambassador to Athens over the issue. "The EU member states are of course independent and sovereign states," Mr. Bikas said, "but as far as Greece is concerned, it is not possible for a meeting such as the one in London not to examine the issue of human rights and the foreign (Turkish) occupation of 37 per cent of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus." French military chief welcomes Greek entry to WEU ------------------------------------------------- Athens, 03/02/1995 (ANA) The chief of France's National Defence General Staff, Admiral Jacques Lanxade, said yesterday he was pleased that Greece would soon become a full member of the Western European Union and that the country's entry would increase the group's capabilities. Admiral Lanxade was speaking to reporters after talks with his Greek counterpart, Admiral Christos Lyberis, during which both sides noted an identity of views on issues of common interest. Asked what role Greece could play in the eastern Mediterranean as a WEU member, Admiral Lanxade said that the WEU was interested in stability in the region and, through Greece, the capabilities of the WEU itself would increase. Admiral Lanxade also advised Greece and its neighbours to exercise moderation and caution in order for serious military incidents to be averted, underlining that France wished to do everything in its power to secure stability in the eastern Mediterranean. Admiral Lyberis outlined four prerequisites for a de-escalation of tension in the region. He said that "those who create tension should change their intentions, NATO should exclude the Aegean from its training activities, the Alliance should establish the headquarters of its Multinational Force in Thessaloniki for military reasons and NATO should immediately implement its decisions for the setting up of two headquarters in Larissa." Greece critical of Turkish 'hue and cry' over Aegean waters issue ----------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 03/02/1995 (ANA) Greece said yesterday that the "hue and cry" in Turkey over the issue of territorial waters in the Aegean did not contribute to the improvement of bilateral relations which both sides supposedly desire. Responding to Turkish statements and press reports about the forthcoming ratification by the Greek Parliament of the Law of the Sea convention, foreign ministry spokesman Costas Bikas said: "It is at the government's discretion to exercise its right provided by the Law of the Sea convention to extend its territorial waters (from six to 12 miles) and the artificial hue and cry in Turkey does not contribute to the hope for improvement in the atmosphere of Greek-Turkish relations." Mr. Bikas said that Greece had signed the international Law of the Sea convention in 1982 and had sent a draft bill to Parliament for ratification "just as dozens of other countries have already done." The spokesman underlined that the convention regulated all issues of international maritime law and contained many provisions which were already in effect as common law. "As has repeatedly been stated, the extension of our territorial waters is Greece's inalienable sovereign right under both conventional and common international law, and the exercise of this right is a matter for the Greek government to decide. "The hue and cry in Turkey is artificial... and Athens refuses to follow suit," Mr. Bikas said. Arsenis satisfied with passing of defence ministry bill ------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 03/02/1995 (ANA) Defence Minister Gerasimos Arsenis yesterday expressed satisfaction over the passing of the draft bill concerning the organisation and functioning of the defence ministry and control in the Armed Forces. A debate on the bill was concluded in a tense atmosphere in Parliament yesterday. Mr. Arsenis said another bill would be tabled in Parliament in spring, resolving military service issues concerning insubordinates and conscientious objectors. The new law, he said, will enable the armed forces to upgrade their defence capability, as it provides for the lessening of administrative and other tasks. Further, the envisaged setting up of a General Directorate for Armaments is considered to give the Defence Ministry the capability of meeting defence needs with the lowest possible cost. Ruling socialist PASOK party Deputy Vassilis Kedikoglou voted against an article of the bill, disagreeing with a clause on procurements and armaments. Mr. Kedikoglou said that with the creation of a new general department for armaments "there is no transparency." National Defence Under-Secretary Nikos Kouris withdrew a clause limiting the tenure of future staff chiefs to two years. Earlier PASOK Deputy Antonis Drosoyiannis had disagreed with the clause and called for its withdrawal, accusing the National Defence Ministry's leadership of "immorality." Arsenis to attend German security policy conference --------------------------------------------------- Bonn, 03/02/1995 (ANA - Petros Stangos) Defence Minister Gerasimos Arsenis is to participate in the annual Conference on Political Security (Werkuntetagung) in Munich, attended by top-ranking political and military officials from many countries. It will be the first time a Greek minister attends the Conference. German Defence Minister Volker Ruhe will meet with Mr. Arsenis in private talks concerning the two countries' co-operation in the field of armaments. The Greek minister will also have a private meeting with US Defence Secretary William Perry, who will be at the head of a 30-strong delegation. The Conference will focus on the future of NATO and security issues in the Mediterranean, while the 'Russian problem', both as regards its enlargement with countries of central and eastern Europe, and Russia's relations with the Alliance after Chechenya, is also expected to attract special attention. The conference is attracting special interest due to presence of personalities from governments, parliaments, and international organisations who are influential in determining policy on security issues. According to sources, it will be attended by 17 ministers and 10 US senators. First time attendances will also come from Russia, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary. Rescue teams continue search for missing F-5s --------------------------------------------- Athens, 03/02/1995 (ANA) Rescue teams yesterday were combing the Athos Peninsula region to locate the two F-5 jet-fighters and their crew of three that went missing Wednesday during a training flight over the eastern Aegean. Air Force helicopters and places and Navy vessels, as well as commandos and local inhabitants, have joined the massive rescue operation, which has not turned up any indications of the planes or pilots. The two jet-fighters disappeared from the Air Force radars early Wednesday afternoon while flying over the Aegean between the islands of Lemnos and Ayios Efstratios. Speaking in Parliament, National Defence Minister Gerasimos Arsenis and Under-Secretary Nikos Kouris both ruled out the possibility of the aircraft's disappearance being due to a technical failure. "The F-5s are in very good condition and are used not only by the Greek air force but by many other countries," Mr. Arsenis said. Mr. Kouris ruled out the possibility of cracks being responsible for the disappearance of the jet fighters. "This type of air craft develop cracks due to (metal) fatigue, but the two jets in question recently underwent exhaustive checks and inspections, one last month and the other last November," Mr. Kouris told Parliament. Thessaloniki University awaits conclusive proof on Alexander tomb ----------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 03/02/1995 (ANA) The Thessaloniki University is on standby for more information following initial reports from Egypt on the possibility of Alexander the Great's tomb having been located in the Siwa desert. Excavations being carried out on the spot by Liana Souvaltzi are naturally the focal point of discussions, but the lack of scientific information and photographs does not allow for conclusions to be drawn and assessments set out. All believe that the finding alone of such a large memorial tomb dating back to the Hellenistic period is a very important event. Deputy professor of history and archaeology at the Faculty of Philosophy at the Aristoteleion University in Thessaloniki Stella Droungou, who was an associate of renowned archaeologist Manolis Andronikos and is continuing his work in the Vergina region, told the Athens News Agency (ANA): "We have no scientific information which is essential for one to assess the situation. We are distant and we have no information from the researcher herself. If matters are just as we are being informed, we are the first to be pleased and hail the event." Athens conference to examine effect of Iraq embargo ----------------------------------------------------- Athens, 03/02/1995 (ANA) The Second International Athens Conference against the embargo on Iraq will be held on February 18-19 at the Panteion University, it was announced yesterday. The aim of the conference is to inform public opinion and raise awareness about the repercussions of the embargo on the people of Iraq, particularly women and children, in order for it to be lifted. Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Margaret Papandreou, ex-wife of Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou, co-ordinator of the international organisation "Women for Mutual Security" and member of the organising committee, stressed the need for accurate information to be provided to the peoples of the UN Security Council countries, particularly the US and Britain, in the hope that they will exert pressure for the lifting of the embargo. She accused the Security Council, and in particular the US, of the "selective" use of the issue of human rights, since it was indifferent to the plight of the Kurds, at a time when Turkey was attacking Kurdish villages in Iraq. National Bank: EIB loans to Greece can be doubled ------------------------------------------------- Brussels, 03/02/1995 (ANA - P. Pantelis) The European Investment Bank (EIB) granted Greece a total of 534.7 million ECU in 1994. The National Bank of Greece -- one of the main recipients of funds -- released a statement yesterday, with Vice-President Mr. P. Gennimatas saying: "EIB's loans to Greece in 1994 still leave room for further co-operation with the Greek economy. I consider, on the basis of specific investments which we estimate will be submitted for financing in the next two years, that loans to Greece can even be doubled. "This confirms the strategic significance of EIB financing to the further development and convergence of the economies of the South, in the framework of collaboration with the Structural Funds which channel the Commission's subsidies appropriately". The statement also mentions that the transport and telecommunications sector absorbed 463.5 million ECU, or more than 85 per cent of the total, of which 105 million were for improvements on the Athens-Katerini national road, and 165 million for the modernisation of the telecommunications network. The energy sector absorbed 40 million ECU, while 14 million were granted for improvements in local and regional slurry biological treatment plants in Iraklion, Larissa, Corfu, and Hios. Finally, 17 million ECU were granted for the funding of investment initiatives by small and medium size firms in the sectors of industry, tourism, services, environmental protection and the saving of energy.