BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN (08/02/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN BY MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY

February 8, 1996

TITLES

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS IN ATHENS

The two leaders will discuss all aspect of the Cyprus issue. Mr. Klerides will also meet with the greek Defense Minister Gerasimos Arsenis to discuss a unified defense doctrine between the two countries.

According to Mr. Klerides, he plans to analytically present Cyprus's current situation and its plan for the further materialization of the doctrine, which has not yet been finalized.

Mr. Klerides is accompanied by the cypriot Foreign Minister Alekos Michaelides, Minister of Defense Kostas Iliades, Chief of National Guard Kolonel Vorvolakos, under-Minister to the Presidium Pantelis Kouras and the cypriot government's spokesperson, Yiannakis Kasoulides.

During his four-day stay in Athens, Mr. Klerides will also meet with the President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stefanopoulos.

[02] GREEK - CYPRIOT TALKS AT FOREIGN MINISTERS LEVEL

After the meeting, the cypriot Foreign Minister expressed satisfaction for the continuous greek support to the efforts for the accession of his country into the EU and announced that it was decided that the coordination between the two governments should be intensified.

From his part mr.Pangalos underlined the strong european interest expressed lately on the Cyprus issue stressing characteristically that "if Europe will be more interested we will be realy happy".

Mr.Pangalos also expressed satisfaction over yesterday's decision by the European Commission on the recent greek-turkish crisis underlining that it is the first time the Commission is taking so clear stand on such an issue, while he pointed out that there are encouraging indications stemming from the stand adopted individually by many EU member-states.

The greek Foreign Minister characterized as very positve the US proposal according to which the issue should be brought before the International Court in The Hague.

[03] AMERICANS DETERMINED TO RESOLVE CYPRUS ISSUE WITHIN 1996

DISY President Yiannakis Matsis, who has recently completed contacts with State Department officials in Washington, the United States have clearly stated that the Cyprus problem should not be "compartmentalized" within the area of greek-turkish conflicts.

"On the contrary," Mr. Matsis stated, "they believe that the resolving of the Cyprus issue will promote better relations between Greece and Turkey."

Mr. Martsis stated that he plans to brief the cypriot President Glafkos Klerides on is visit to the U.S. and will submit a memorandum to the National Council.

[04] WHITE HOUSE'S HAGUE PROPOSAL WELL RECEIVED BY PASOK

According to Minister of Press and Media Dimitris Reppas, ":the greek government believes that it has irrefutable legal arguments on the specific issue." "Therefore," mr. Reppas added, "it is the turkish government that must make decisions and give its answer."

[05] IMIA ISSUE TO THE EUROPARLIAMENT PLENARY SESSION

The Italian Presidency at the Ministerial Council, as well as the European Commission, wil be asked to take a position on the issue, while the italian presidency's statements regarding Imia is awaited with much interest, as Italy holds a past role in the conflict, being Greece's predecessor of the islet's territorial sovereignty.

The italian government has confirmed its Foreign Ministry's statements affirming the greek territorial sovereignty of the Imia islets.

On February 13, the Euro-parliament plenary session will examine the report present by european MP and New Democracy representative mr. Anastasopoulos, regarding Community Law application during 1994. This report will echo the sentiments of the Commission of Legal Issues, by emphasizing the "predominance of Community Law, its relations with the laws of the country-members, as well as the direct result of a series of orders enforced on them and their citizens."

As such, the Parliament Committee outlines the predominance of the relevant decision by the European Court dated July 15, 1964 and responds on a principle level to the constitutional law challenges and withholdings expressed by some members, specifically those of te Federated Constitutional Court of Germany, with the decision dated October 12, 1993.

According to mr. Anastasopoulos, the European Union can not function unless the community rule is applied to all members in a unified manner. This is secured only through the Commuity law predominance recognition, stated the europarliament member.

[06] CANADIAN FEDERAL MP CALLS FOR CONDEMNATION OF TURKEY

In the letter is stressed that Turkey's recent actions showed full contempt for the international treaties and agreements adding that the groundless turkish claims over the islet of Imia aimed at provoking Greece by challenging the legal status of a region which definately belongs to this country.

Also, is mentioned that based on international law and on the 1947 Paris peace treaty there is no doubt over Greece's sovereign rights in the region.

In coclusion mrs.Bakopanou stresses in her letter that Turkey is one of the main factors of instability in the region no only in relation to Greece but Cyprus as well and also because of its behaviour toward the kurdish minority.

[07] BALKAN PEACE CONFERENCE OPENS IN THESSALONIKI TOMORROW

Yesterday, was announced to the conference's organizers that the delegation of turkish peace activists made up of distinguished intellectuals will not participate to the conference because its members were unable to come to Greece citing as an excuse that they found difficulties in the prompt issuing of passports.

Among the members of the turkish delegation were famous poet Behramoglu, lawyer Enis Toskun, painter Hanat Ailant and others, all members of the Association for Community Studies in Turkey.

[08] DECLARATION OF PEACE BY GREEK AND TURKISH INTELLECTUALS

The content of the declaration will be made public on Monday as it was announced by turkish music composer Zulfi Livaneli during a telephone conversation he had last night with his greek colleague Mikis Theodorakis which was broadcasted live in the turkish state television TRT1.

[09] EXECUTIVE BUREAU MEETING RESULTS IN OVERALL CONSENSUS

Following the session, the Premier stated that he, along with with the greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos briefed the Executive Group members on the latest political developments and on issues surrounding the country's foreign policy.

"We discussed inter-party relations and I believe that there was a consensus of opinions regarding the party's role and the government's role," Mr. Simitis said.

According to the Premier, the party determines the general policy outline whereas the government acts upon and enforces the policy within this outline. Furthermore, the Premier emphasized, the government is responsible for every-day decisions, as well as decisions regarding individuals.

Mr. Simitis stated that, as in the past, future cooperation between party and government will bring very productive outcomes.

[10] GREEK PREMIER VISITS ANDREAS PAPANDREOU IN HOSPITAL

After the brief meeting, the Premier stated that the two men discussed the country's political developments stemming from the recent greek-turkish conflict, the general situation of Greece and the course of its economy.

According to Mr. Simitis, it was a brief but concise discussion.

[11] PASOK'S LEADER EXPRESSED SUPPORT TO GOVERNMENT EFFORTS

Mr.Reppas added that mr.Simitis informed mr.Papandreou on the internal and international developments while he also said that the two men agreed that their cooperation and communication will continue.

[12] CYPRIOT HERITAGE DESTROYED IN OCCUPIED TERRITORIES

The draft resolution condemns the stealing of the archeological treasures which is taking place with the participation of the turkish army and the tolerance of the illegal regime in the occupied territories, their illegal export abroad and also their illegal sale in international markets of works of art in Europe and the United States.

Also, the draft resolution suggests that specialists should be sent to Cyprus in order to record the condition of the monuments in the occupied territories while it is proposed that the EU diplomatic mission in Cyprus should be strengthened with the appointment of a cultural attache.

According to all indications the draft resolution will be supported in the European Parliament by the Socialist Group and by the European Popular Party.

[13] GREEK PARLIAMENT SPEAKER TO VISIT CYPRUS ON FEBRUARY 15TH

During his three-day visit mr.Kaklamanis will have a meeting with Cypriot Republic President Glafkos Kliridis. Also, he will have talks with the President of the Cypriot Parliament, with political party leaders and with Archbishop Chrisostomos.