BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN (27/12/1995)

From: Macedonian Press Agency <mpa@uranus.eng.auth.gr>

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN BY MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY

Thessaloniki, December, 27 1995

NEWS IN ENGLISH

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[01] THE CONDITION OF THE PRIME MINISTER'S HEALTH IS STABILIZED

Greek Prime Minister mr Andreas Papandreou who has been in hospital since November 20th, had to have his respiratory functioning supported peridically according to the second report of the day issued at 20:00 hours.

According to the same report of the board of doctors observing mr Papandreou, the respirator had to be used because they found out that he has been tired while his heart functioning remains unchannged.

Today mr Papandreopu was not submitted to an artificial kidney therapy whereas according to the first medical bulletin that was issued at noon today at the Onasion Cardiology Center, one of the best equipped in Europe, the Prime Minister's condition had presented no essential changes in the previous 24 hours. That medical bulletin had also mentioned that the respiratory function is periodically supported by respirator and the renal function by artificial kidney while the treatment with antibiotics continues.

Speaking to journalists, radiology professor mr.Vlachos, who is observing the Prime Minister for the past 6 years stated that the messages coming from the Prime Minister are good but he added that mr.Papandreou still has a long way to go. Mr.Vlachos also stated that the Prime Minister is in high spirits and he even made jokes.

Mr Papandreou, born in February 1919, has been married to ms Demetra Liani since 1989 and from a previous marriage he has four children, aone of whom is the minister of Education mr Giorgos Papandreou.

[02] AIR FORCE AIRCRAFT CRASHED IN NOR.GREECE BUT ITS CREW WAS SAVED

A "Fantom-4" airplane of the greek Air Force crashed while its 2-member crew was taking pictures for the Ordnance Survey. The accident occured this morning in the mountainous region of Kapsala, near the town of Kirgia in northern Greece.

The two pilots of the aircraft used their parachutes but they suffered light injuries during the fall and they were taken to hospital in the city of Dramas.

Investigation is underway to determine the causes of the crash.

[03] THE CYPRIOT PRESIDENT ARRIVES IN ATHENS TODAY

Cypriot President Glafkos Kliridis will be in Athens this afternoon in order to attend the wedding of the daughter of his close friend, shipowner Loukas Hatziioannou.

The cypriot President will be accompanied by his wife and daughter and by government minister mr.Pantelis Kouros. Mr.Kliridis is expected to return to Cyprus on Thursday night.

Is not known if mr.Kliridis will visit Prime Minister Papandreou in the Onasion Cardiology Center where the greek Prime Minister was admitted on November 20th.

Yesterday, arrived in Athens cypriot Foreign Minister Alekos Michailidis.

[04] TURKEY'S FULL MEMBERSHIP IN THE EU WILL BE DIFFICULT

Turkey's full membership in the European Union will be difficult according to statements made by European Parliament President Klaus Haensch. Responding to questions by turkish newspaper "Miliyet" he stressed that Turkey applied for full membership in 1987 and the EU replied then that the full membership was not on the agenda adding that the customs union agreement does not change this decision.

Mr.Haensch also said regarding the full membership, that it depends on whether the majority in Turkey wants the full membership and also on the state of the EU.

He underlined that basically the customs union is an economic agreement in the interest of Turkey and the EU adding that the economic development will bring with it and the political dimension while the respect of human rights in Turkey will promote relations.

According to the European Parliament President, there are different views on Turkey within the European Union but nevertheless, Turkey plays a key role among Europe, the Middle East and the Caucuses and for this reason Europe is interested in this country. He also stressed that a situation is alarming when islamism starts to dominate in the structure of the state.

[05] CYRPUS EXPECTS EU INTEREST FOR SOLUTION OF CYPRUS PROBLEM

The cypriot government expects the EU to express strong interest in the promotion of the solution of the Cyprus problem in January of 1996, according to cypriot Foreign Minister Alekos Michailidis.

The cypriot Foreign Minister who arrived in Athens yesterday stated that the outcome of the expected developments on the Cyprus problem will depend on the US determination when they decide to turn their attention toward Ankara.

Mr.Michailidis stressed that the cypriot government is not aware of any proposal on a quadripartite meeting but he did not rule out the possibility of the presence of UN Security Council observers. Nevertheless, he reiterated that first the crusial points in the Cyprus problem must be determined and through consultations common grounds must be established.

Referring to the election results in Turkey mr.Michailidis pointed out that the rise of the islamists must alarm a lot of people adding that before the new government is formed no speculations can be made on the new political scene in Turkey and on the policy that will follow on the Cyprus problem.

[06] FYROM NOT ENTERS TALKS WITH GREECE ON NAME,SAYS FOREIGN MINISTER

FYROM is willing to continue the talks for the solution of the greek-skopjan differencies based on the UN Security Council decision and the interim agreement reached in New York, stated skopjan Foreign Minister Stevo Chervenkofski who maintained that neither of the above mentioned decisions provides for talks on the issue of his country's name.

In an interview to the skopjan state television mr.Chervenkofski stated, misinterpreting the interim agreement, that the position of his government is known and that the interim agreement provides for the continuation of the talks for the solution of the differencies between the two countries without defining anything concerning the issue of the name.

Nevertheless, he characterized the interim agreement reached in New York as an important step for the normalization of the relations between the two sides with significant effects on the Balkan region. The skopjan Foreign Minister also underlined that very soon will begin cooperation of the two countries and in other sectors, such as the protection of the environment, by characteristically mentioning the joint actions aiming at saving lake Doiran.