Antenna: News in English (AM), 97-07-10

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From: Antenna Radio <http://www.antenna.gr> - email: antenna@compulink.gr

News in English, 10/07/97

TITLES

• Kofi Annan, the UN secretary general gives an exclusive interview to Antenna Television on the Cyprus talks
• Greek Political party MPs react to the non-violent agreement between Greece and Turkey
• and, the IOC president hints Athens may have an advantage in the bid for the 2004 olympics.

CYPRUS/TALKS

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan opened the talks on an optimistic note, saying peace within Cyprus is now within our grasp.

Annan said that the search for a political solution on the island divided for 23 years had dragged on too long.

The peace keeping mission has cost 50 million dollars a year and l68 peacekeepers have died.

"I advised the leaders of the Cypriot communities to meet here for face-to- face talks because I believe that a lasting peace in Cyprus is now withing our grasp. Adding that international backing for a solution to Cyprus is firmer than ever.

Behind the scenes, both leaders had meetings with US special envoy on Cyprus, Richard Holbrooke.

NATO/DAY AFTER

Nikolas Burns, State department spokesman reiterates the joint agreement by saying.

"During their meeting the Greek and Turkish foreign ministers reached a convergence of views on a basis of promoting better relations based on the following commitments:

A mutual commitment to peace, security and the continuing development of good neighborly relations between Greece and Turkey.

Respect for each others sovereignty, respect for the principles of international law and international agreements.

Respect for each others legitimate, vital concerns in the Aegean, which are of great importance for their security and national sovereignty.

A commitment to refrain from unilateral acts on the basis of mutual respect and a willingness to avoid conflicts arising from misunderstanding. And finally, a commitment to settle disputes by peaceful means based on mutual consent without the use of force or the threat of force."

Sources close to Simitis said he expressed optimism regarding the agreement saying it opens a new road for Greek-Turkish relations adding that there are still a number of unresolved problems and many difficulties to be settled in dealing with them.

Simitis said that, "Everything now depends on Turkey." and emphasized that, "There were positive reactions from many foreign leaders."

Presently, Greek delegate interests are primarily focused on reactions to the agreement by Pasok inner-party opposition. Prime Minister Simitis has said he is still determined to follow his foreign policy.

New Turkish foreign minister Ismael Gem also spoke about a new beginning at a Turkish press conference but cautioned all that there is still a long way to go.

Turkish President Suleiman Demirel was optimistic saying that, "We're neighbors and we're NATO allies after all.

Gem abstained from discussing the 12 mile coastal rights issue saying he did not wish to discuss this problem as it might spoil the positive climate they created. The Turkish foreign minister went even further than Demirel's enthusiasm and suggested meetings between Greek and Turkish delegations to discuss common problems including terrorism, the environment and illegal immigration.

NATO/REACTIONS-US

State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns said the Greek-Turkish agreement was a positive step towards peace between the two countries.

Burns said that the agreement provided Greece and Turkey with a framework of certainty in which to improve their bilateral relations. Burns added that the next step would be talks between Athens and Ankara through NATO on confidence building measures in the Aegean.

US diplomatic sources said that the signing of the agreement was largely due to the initiative of secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Prior to her appointment in the State Department, Albright visited both countries and worked extensively on Greek-Turkish matters.

The agreement was the fruit of a US initiative which hoped for a general non-violence pact that could be followed in the future by negotiations on more specific issues.

US officials said that the original goals included the creation of a positive climate before the appointment of the new Turkish government and Prime Minister Messout Yilmaz and the beginning of talks on the Cyprus Issue in New York. The US expressed satisfaction that this goal has been achieved.

NATO/GREEK Mps

From Pasok MPs of the so-called inner-party opposition to New Democracy, to the Democratic Movement. All had the opportunity to voice their opinions as to just what the agreement means for Greece and Greeks.

While a number of MP's questioned the agreement, there were also those that supported its signing.

Pasok MP's of the inner-party opposition, especially those 32 MP's who disagreed two months ago with the government's foreign policy on Greek- Turkish relations made some harsh statements the day after the signing.

MP Stelios PapathemelEEs said, "I believe Greece was trapped by this agreement and that undefined dangers exist for Greece because of it.

Those who disagreed with the signing, as with those who expressed hesitation when asked to comment on its positive significance, posed certain questions.

One commented, "What does the term "vital interests of Turkey in the Aegean" MEAN. A question was also raised as to whether Greece GUARANTEED that it WON'T extend its territorial waters to 12 miles.

Prime minister Kostas Simitis however, made clear on Tuesday that the 12 mile issue WASN'T mentioned in the agreement. Saying, "The agreement doesn't include any reference to the 12 miles issue, the continental shelf matter or Turkey's EU funding protocol". He added that, "The 12 miles issue is not a purely Greek-Turkish issue, it's an INTERNATIONAL matter as well and Greece will exercise its rights whenever it sees fit to do so".

Within Pasok, many expressed support and praise for the signing. MP PanagiOtis SgourEEdis said, "It's a text of good intent, improving the climate in Greek-Turkish relations, I believe the new climate will help Greece, because Turkey was the only one who laid claims".

Another Pasok MP, ThanAssis Matis said, "Time will show whether or not this was a step forward.

New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis said the agreement is steering in the right direction, but some conditions are of a questionable nature. Adding that the agreement's clauses are likely to be misunderstood saying that their exists the possibility that Turkey will continue to escalate its claims against Greece in the Aegean. Certain conditions need to be clarified, such as the "vital interests of security and national sovereignty in relation to Turkey in the Aegean and just what does the condition "to avoid unilateral acts" mean.

Left Coalition leader Nikos Konstantopoulos called the agreement "a positive step" for Greek-Turkish relations.

Democratic Movement leader Dimitris TsovOlas said that the signing of an agreement directly endangers Greece's sovereignty rights.

Political Spring leader Antonis SamarAs said that the agreement ends the possibility for Greece to extend its territorial waters to 12 miles. At the same time, it establishes the unacceptable status quo that Turkey wants to impose on the Aegean with the so-called "grey zones".

FIRE

In one of more than 50 fires that began in Greece on Sunday, a 36 hour blaze in the Seih Sou forest in Thesssaloniki has destroyed more than half of the largest semi urban forest in Greece.

The loss of the forest has prompted Defense Minister Akis Tso-chad-zo- poulos to announce a 3 billion Drachma reforestation program to begin immediately.

An investigation is also underway to determine the cause of the blaze.

SOCIAL DIALOGUE

The dialogue refers to an ongoing series of discussions concerning economic policy by governmental officials and various groups.

MiltiAdis Pa-pa-io-Annou, the minister of labour said that all issues related to the social insurance system will be examined during the social dialogue talks, with no decisions being made prior to completion.

One issue stirring up much controversy was the reported intention of the government to stagger the retirement age. Last week, the Ministry of Labour clarified the issue denying that the government was even considering it.

Another issue to be examined is the government's decision to limit the size of some supplementary pensions at the beginning of next year; calling for a restriction by no more than 20 percent of the main pension a retiree receives. Pensioneers argue saying that this measure would lead to the reduction of supplementary pensions by 30 per cent.

SAMARANCH

Samaranch was in Greece Tuesday to launch the opening of the 37th meeting of the International Olympic Academy.

The IOC president was solemnely welcomed by Athens bid committee president Yianna Ange-lo-pOU-lou Da-ska-lA-ki, Olympic Games committee president Lambis Niko-lA-ou, Sports ministry officials and six IOC members.

Samaranch planted an olive tree from Ancient Olympia in an Athens park dedicated to the Olympic movement. Each IOC member who visit Athens, plants a tree in the park. Das-ka-lAki explained to Samaranch that the planting of olive trees is as old as the Olympics. The olive tree was the symbol of victory, peace and wisdom for ancient Greeks.

Samaranch said the five cities bidding for the Games have the same status in his view. But he added that the Olympic movement has an historical origin in Athens hinting that this may be an advantage in the bidding process.

The four other cities seeking the 2004 Games are: Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Stockholm and Rome. The IOC will pick the winner on September 5th.

© ANT1 Radio 1997

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