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BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN (21/11/1995)From: Macedonian Press Agency <mpa@uranus.eng.auth.gr>Macedonian Press Agency DirectoryBRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN BY MACEDONIAN RPESS AGENCYThessaloniki, November 21, 1995NEWS IN ENGLISH[01] THE GREEK PRIME MINISTER IS IN SATISFACTORY CONDITION[02] VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS OF THE KURDS BY TURKISH TROOPS[03] COMMISSIONER DEN BROEK SAYS CYPRUS IS A EUROPEAN PROBLEM[04] TWO-DAY SEMINAR ON GREEK-ALBANIAN RELATIONS OPENED IN TIRANA[05] GREEK ECONOMY FOLLOWS POSITIVE COURSE ACCORDING TO ECONOMISTNEWS IN ENGLISH[01] THE GREEK PRIME MINISTER IS IN SATISFACTORY CONDITIONDoctors who treat Greek Prime Minister mr Andreas Papandreou, in hospital since noon yesterday with a peumonia problem, expressed their optimism that the condition of his health which has already improved, will get better. In a communique issued today after the examinations mr Papandreou was submitted to, the doctors appeared satisfied about the progress in his condition although as they said mr Papandreou had to be helped mechanically in the respiratory function, which they did not consider as indicative for its situation. Speaking in the name of the doctors, the vice- President of the Onassion Cardiology Centre, in the intensive care unit of which, one of the best equipped in Europe, mr Papandreou is being treated, stressed that the functioning of his heart and kidneys do not appear to be strained. A previous medical communique that was issued last night stated that after the firest series of tests, it was ascertained that the Prime Minister was suffering from a form of pneumonia adding that his condition was improving and was being monitored. Mr Papandreou, 77 next February entered hospital yesterday noon, after he had health problems for two days but in the same communiwue latee last night his medical condition was described as restricted and curable. Thirteen doctors among which the Prime Minister's personal doctor and Health Minister mr Dimitris Kremastinos observe mr Papandreou and are ready to provide him with any help required. Egyptian heart surgeon dr Magdi Yakub who had held an open heart operation on mr Papandreou in 1988 in the Heartfield hospital in London, expressed his willingness to sent special medicine for his treatment but the greek doctors declined it saying that mr Papandreou does not need it. A new communique will be issued by the doctors at 20:00 local time while a lot of leaders of political parties of the opposition, deputies and many ordinary people visit the hospital so that they express their sympathy for the Prime Minister. Press and Media Minister contradicted today that there are thoughts that mr Papandreou will be replaced for the time he is under treatment and added that in cases where he should be present personally he will be substituted by the first in order minister who is the minister of Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization mr Akis Tsohadjopoulos. Mr Toshadjopoulos who till last month occupied the place of the governing PASOK Central Committee Secretary is said to have expressed his disapproval of the scenarios about mr Papndreou's replacement. Economy ministers faced with concern the fall which appeared for two successive days in the stock exchange market after the announcement yesterday that mr Papandreou would enter hospital. The bank of Greece had today to support the national currency, drachma which appeared to be under attack by speculators, an attack which failed to provide any results for those who inspired it. The President of the main opposition party of New Democracy mr Miltiades Evert who visited unexpectedly the governor of the Bank of Greece so that as he said be informed on the situation of the economy, called on everybody to be calm. Sources of the economic field said today that what is needed in the market is that investors be sure that there will be no change in the economic policy. Late last night, PASOK after a session of its executive bureau decided to cancel the session of its central committee due next weekend since as they said they thought that it was too important to take place without the president. [02] VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS OF THE KURDS BY TURKISH TROOPSNATO and the United States as factors that played a central role to the human rights violations made by the turkish military forces during their military operation against the Kurds according to the Human Rights Watch, one of the most important organizations for the protection of human rights. According to the organization, in 29 reported incidents that took place in the period 1992-95 the turkish forces used US-made bombers and fighter planes in their attacks against kurdish rural communities. In the same report is also underlined that the US helicopters were used as reinforcement in a wide spectrum of activities such as the destruction of villages in an act of retalliation, summary executions, tortures and indiscriminate burning down of villages. The organization stressed that the turkish forces use in their operations british-made armored vehicles, german guns and machine-guns, belgian-made rifle- grenades and german-made armored personnel carriers. Also, in the last decade the United States have offered military assistance to Turkey estimated at 5.3 billion dollars. The organization also critisized the Kurdish Labour party (PKK) accusing it of violating the rules of war because it resorted to summary executions, indiscriminate burning down of villages and intentional targeting of unarmed citizens. The international organization called the NATO member-states to "freeze" the arms supply to Turkey and at the same time asked the Ankara government to give the international observers free access to the regions of military operations and to places where prisoners of war and inmates are being kept. [03] COMMISSIONER DEN BROEK SAYS CYPRUS IS A EUROPEAN PROBLEMThe European Union External Relations Commissioner Hans van den Broek stated yesterday in London that the Cyprus issue is a european problem and its solution should not be left to the United States. According to mr.Van den Broek, even though Britain and some other EU member-states have played an important role in the Yugoslav, Middle East and Gulf crisis there is a tendency to leave the solution of european political and security problems to the United States. He also added that the EU will not be able to act as a peacemaker unless it follows a common policy when faced with an external challenge. [04] TWO-DAY SEMINAR ON GREEK-ALBANIAN RELATIONS OPENED IN TIRANAA two-day seminar on the greek-albanian relations organized by the Albanian Committee of the Helsinki Citizens Assembly opened in Tirana today, without the participation of greek Parliament members due to the recent developments in Greece. The seminar with the title "Albania and Greece in the perspective of the developments in south-eastern Europe" is held after an initiative by the Albanian Social-Democratic party vice-President mr.Paskal Milo and is a follow up of a similar meeting that was held in Athens on July 27 and 28 with the participation of Parliament members and representatives of the Helsinki Citizens Assembly National Committees in both countries. The seminar aims at contributing to the development and strengthening of the greek-albanian relations for the benefit of the people of both countries, and also for peace, security and mutual understanding in the Balkans. In the seminar will be discussed issues concerning the parliamentary dialogue and its role in the future of the greek-albanian relations, the universities, the prospects of intellectual and scientific cooperation, the mass media contribution to the mutual understanding of both peoples and to the new possibilities for interaction through non governmental organizations. [05] GREEK ECONOMY FOLLOWS POSITIVE COURSE ACCORDING TO ECONOMISTThe greek economy follows a positive course, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit report published in London. The report is not limited to the economic situation in Greece but it also makes an attempt to present the political situation in the country as well, by mentioning that the main question is who will be the successor of Prime Minister mr Andreas Papandreou. Based on the report, the progress in the drop of deficits, inflation and bank loans' interest rates must continue in 1996 but it is stressed that this policy may be interrupted in 1997 which is election year. In the report it is also being stressed that there will be a gradual strengthening of the gross national product growth rate from 1,7% in 1995 to 2,3% in 1997. |