The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 01-03-12

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From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

12/3/2001 10:03:11 рм

[01] Tension in Southern Serbia

All day yesterday, NATO special envoy, Peter Faith continued deliberations with representatives of the Serbs and of the Albanian guerrillas, in an effort to reach a ceasefire agreement.

However, it seems that it is difficult for a positive agreement to be reached before tomorrow, since the representatives of the ethnic Albnanians refused to accept NATO's decision to allow the deployment of Yugoslav forces in the area, while the Serb officials had stated that they were ready to sign the agreement.

In the meantime, Kossovo Liberation army of FYROM issued a communique yesterday demanding the transformation of the country to a federation consisting of Skopjan and Albanian parts so that discrimination against Albanians could be eliminated.

From Tirana the head of the Albanian diplomacy Paskal Milo stated after his meeting with his Skopjan counterpart that his country would defend FYROM's integrity and called on the autonomist guerrillas to support the efforts of the Skopjan government for stability in the region.

From his part Mr. Kerim stressed that his government had committed itself to offer more rights to the Albanian minority living in FYROM.

In the meantime, in an interview with the Greek newspaper " To Vima Tis Kyriakis" Foreign minister Yiorgos Papandreou stated that any ideas for expansionism should be abandoned in the region of the Balkans. Within this framework, Mr. Papandreou stated that the independence of Kossovo or Montenegro could be possible only if it was achieved through the mutual consent of the parties involved and not through unilateral actions.

The Greek Foreign minister also stated that the tense situation in the Balkans during the last days verified the Greek government's positions for the non-change of the borders and the respect of human rights.

From his part, in an interview with the newspaper "Imiresia" Defence minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos stated that the Albanian Socialists were implementing a nationalist policy recently, adding that during the next week he would ask a meeting with Prime minister Costas Simitis and Foreign minister Yiorgos Papandreou so that Greece's stance in the Balkans could be re-examined.

Finally, a delegation of the Greek Communist party is visiting Skopje today to meet with representatives of the political parties and organisations of the neighbouring country about the situation in the region.

Additionally, a delegation of the Coalition of the Left Wing and Progress party headed by its leader Nikos Konstantopoulos is also visiting Skopje tomorrow.

[02] Papandreou on official visit to Cyprus

The Greek Foreign minister also underlined that during his telephone conversation with his American counterpart Collin Powel, the later reiterated the United States' interest for the solution of the Cyprus issue.

Additionally, Mr. Papandreou and his Cyrpiot counterpart Yiannakis Kassoulides referred to the triple puprose of that visit.

Mr. Kassoulides said that Mr. Papandreou would have deliberations with the Cypriot leadership, would tour Cyprus to meet with organisations and civilians and would see to the boosting of 2004 Olympics, for which Cyprus would contribute in every possible way.

Following their two-hour meeting yesterday, both men appeared certain that accession negotiations to the European Union for Cyprus would end within 2002.

Mr. Papandreou said that Cyprus could not be banned to participate in the European Union due to its political problem, since the decision of the European Council in Helsinki could not be ignored. The Greek minister added that the repercussions from Cyprus' accession to the European Union would be beneficiary for the Turkish-Cypriots and that the Turkish-Cypriot representative Rauf Denktash should contribute constructively towards the solution of the Cyprus issue.

[03] Karamanlis against rise in retirement age

Mr. Karamanlis criticised the government, saying that it was following tactics of self-delusion. Referring to the Social Security issue, he said that his party would not support a rise in retirement age .

[04] Tsohatzopoulos addresses PASOK gathering in Dusseldorf

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos criticised all those who said that PASOK had to renew itself with new people, party emblems and flags. He said that what was needed was a change in the government's policy.

[05] Pangalos speaks of PASOK small preference rates

In the wake of the recent polls, showing PASOK with small preference rates, Mr. Pangalos sounded the alarm and reiterated his criticism as regards several sectors of the government's policy and the operation of party organs.

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