BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN (13/02/1996) 2o

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 13, 1996

TITLES

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] ATHENS CONTRADICTS WILL FOR HAGUE ON ROCK ISLETS

Triggering Mr. Reppas's remarks was US President Clinton's salute to greek-american organization AHEPA today during which he said that "the U.S. is trying to lessen the tension in the region and settle the sovereignty issue peacefully through the International Court, as the greek government has suggested."

The Press Minister clarified that the greek government has not made the aforementined suggestion.

"Precisely because we respect the intenrational law order, and we believe that we have unshakable arguments, we have no reason to make such suggestions since neither do we claim not do we doubt."

Moreover, mr. Reppas exemplified Greece's dedication to international law by saying that "our policy is one which at any given moment will seek to confirm our respect of international law and international accords."

Making further references to President Clinton's speech, the Press Minister stated that the world leader is merely representing State Department policy.

"We find the Clinton proposal to be interesting," Mr. Reppas said, however, he added, the greek government wishes that any proposal made by any president would be a true interpretation of the country's policies.

"This is not a easy task to achieve, " mr. Reppas said.

[02] DOUKAKIS CALLS FOR A US CLEAR STANCE ON AEGEAN CRISIS

Mr. Doukakis, in a recent interview to the greek daily published in New York "Proini" has stated that the US must take a clear stance regarding the Aegean crisis policy.

The greek-american democrat also added that the legislation concering the islets status quo is unambigious and that Greece's sovereignty of the islets can not be doubted.

"What we must do now is to insist that the law is followed to the letter," mr. Doukakis said, adding that this policy must be enforced both in the Aegean and in Cyprus.

When asked to characterize US president Bill Clinton, mr. Doukakis stated that he considers him to be the "best President for greek national issues that we've had in a long time."

[03] TURK FOREIGN MINISTER TALKS OF NECESSARY COMPROMISES

According to the statement, reported by the turkish news agency "Anadolu", mr. Baykal, who insisted on referring to the Imia islets as "Kardak" rather than the new name "Iketze" adopted by his government, expressed his hopes that good-faith dialogues will begin between the two neighbors.

In an obvious attempt at reversing the persistant negative climate in his country, mr. Baykal will embark on a series of visits to foreign countries next week during which he will meet his british counterpart Malcolm Rifkind in London, and then will move on to Brussels. He is also planning to include other european capitals in his itinerary.

In Brussels the turk minister will meet with NATO's General Secretary Javier Solana as well as with the European Union Commisisoner for International Relations Hans Ven Den Broek.

Mr. Baykal aims to neutralize the EU's stance regarding the recent islet crisis as tension mounts in Ankara following the European Commission's declaration of solidarity to Greece.

A high-ranking official of the turkish Foreign Ministry clarified that Ankara's attempts to balance Greece's influence on the EU is in development and foresaw that the islet issue will be discussed at the upcoming EU Ministerial Council.

[04] OPTIMISTIC SIGNALS OF TRADE BETWEEN GREECE-FYROM

According to reports published in the newspaper, FYROM's businessworld views the future with optimism as it welcomes greeks traveling to their country looking for ways to invest.

According to the reports, greek businesses have focused their interests in the areas of dairy and pharmaceutical productions.

It should be noted that in 1991, prior to the embargo imposed by Greece on FYROM, the total trade volume between the two neighboring countries rose to $147 million, while two years later the volume dropped to $108 million.

Business trade sufferred a plunge in 1994 and barely totalled $35,5 million. This falling trend stretched into the first nine months of 1995, and was limited to the import of greek goods in FYROM.

Times have changed for the better now. During 1996 the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the greek city of Kavala will embark on a business mission to FYROM.

According to the chamber's President Apostolos Mardiris, "Fyrom makes up a good and attainable market for the amplitude of Kavala's goods" and referred to Kavala's successful past trade with FYROM.

[05] AUSTRALIA'S GREEKS FILE LAWSUIT OVER INFLAMMATORY MAP

During 1992 a group of FYROM emigrants living in Sydney bought a full-page newspaper ad that displayed a map of FYROM extended into Bulgaria and Greece, bordered with barbed wire. The copy of the advertisement stated "Macedonia Land of Legends! Land of Glory! But NEVER Greek." In smaller lettertype, on the map's part showing greek territory, the advertisement stated that "This part of Macedonia is under greek terror of occupation since 1913."

There was another note on the bulgarian territory claiming it as "occupied by the Bulgarians land", while on the FYROM part is said that it "enjoys certain freedom but falls short of being totally independent".

Sydney's "Telegraph Mirror" daily reported today on the legal dispute in an article titled "Race case calls for wisdom of Aristotle" and noted that the city's Equal Opportunity Tribunal reluctantly accepted the hearing of a case it considers to be "a daunting task- to rule on ancient and modern history, cultural and national heritage, even Alexander the Great and Aristotle."

[06] FYROM: VOTE OF CONFIDENCE TO NEW CABINET NEXT WEEK

Rumors assess the postponement to the Liberals exclusion from the Cabinet during the reshuffle.

The re-scheduling of the parliamentary session by President of Parliament Stojan Andov, also President of the Liberal Party, has caused many to speculate that a new series of juxtapositions between the Sociodemocrats and the Liberals is about to begin.

[07] BULGARIA-YUGOSLAVIA TO DEVELOP ECONOMIC TRADE

The President of the Economic Chamber of Yugoslavia Mihajlo Milojevic stated that his office's contacts with the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry had not been severed during the former Yugoslavia embargo period and that the present bulgarian economic mission to Belgrade constitutes a furthering continuance of the good economic relations among these two countries.

[08] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE REPORT

CURRENCY          FIXING      BUY         SELL
ECU              303.4500   302.5400    304.3600
U.S. Dollar      244.5150   243.17810   245.2490
Deutsche Mark    165.1860   164.6900    165.6820
UK Sterling      374.9400   373.8150    376.0650
French Franc      48.0980    47.9540     48.2420
Swedish Crown     34.7270    34.6230     34.8310
Danish Kroner     42.6760    42.5480     42.8040
Norwegian Crown   37.8700    37.7560     37.9840
Italian Lira      15.5105    15.4640     15.5570
Swiss Franc      202.1880   201.5810    202.7950
Spanish Peseta     1.9618     1.9559     1.9677
Finnish Mark      53.2340    53.0740     53.3940
Yen              228.8350   229.3150    230.6950