BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN (14/02/1996)

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 14, 1996

TITLES

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] ATHENS SATISFIED ON US POSITION ON GRECOTURKISH CRISIS

He also added that the government is viewing positively the US initiative while he stated that the greek positions have been promoted significantly in the International Community as it is proven by the fact that many institutions of the international community and the United States defend the respect of International Law.

Regarding the bringing of the Imia issue before the International Court of Justice to The Hague, the greek government spokesman stated that the sovereignty over the Aegean is not under dispute and for this reason Greece is not bringing the case to the International Court. He said that if Turkey wants to move based on International Law it should undertake the initiative.

Yesterday Minister of Foreign Affairs Theodoros Pangalos categorically stated that the greek government did not precipitate the isuue of Imia's sovereignty to the International Court of Justice at The Hague, as United States President Bill Clinton is said to have said.

During a five-hour meeting held behind closed doors, mr. Pangalos told members of the Parliament's Commission of National Defense and Foreign Affairs that "no other agreement took place" and, referring to the greek flag's removal from the islet, he repeated that it resulted from a greek initiative. The greek Foreign Minister denied that he discussed this matter with the US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Hollbrooke.

Mr. Pangalos also said that he was not aware of the greek forces that hoisted th greek flag on Imia at the time this action took place. According to mr. Pangalos, the crisis climaxed without his awareness.

[02] COUNCIL OF OVERSEAS HELLENISM MET PRIME MINISTER

Foreign Minister mr.Pangalos stated after the talks he had with the Presiding Board that the World Assembly of Hellenism is the ultimate goal of the efforts and added that the greeks living abroad contribute to the promotion of the greek interests for the preservation of the greek identity and civilization among those greeks living in countries all over the world.

During the meeting were also discussed issues of cooperation while this weekend the Presiding Board will discuss in Thessaloniki seat of the World Council of Overseas Hellenism, the details for further activities.

Mr.Pangalos said that is necessary the infrastructure and mechanism that will make the World Council more effective.

[03] OPPOSITION LEADER MET EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT

"We mutually agreed that Greece's borders are simultaneously the borders of a United Europe," mr. Evert stated.

Today Mr. Evert will meet with Europarliament President Claus Hens.

The New Democracy leader also said that he opposes the Imia issue referral to The Hague, although he expressed his surprise as to how the greek government could propose such referral. However, mr. Evert added that he cannot imagine President Clinton not having told the truth.

[04] CILLER FOR HAGUE, TURKISH PRESS SAYS, CABINET DENIES IT

However, in the same article, the paper includes a denial of this report issued by the turkish interim government. The denial clarified that "Ms. Ciller has not made a proposal for finding recourse at the Justice Court, but instead is in favor of finding a resolution through diplomatic negotiations."

[05] APPEAL FOR PEACE BY THE IPEKTSI COMMITTEE

In an announcement the Committee mentions that the two peoples support peace and friendship and calls the governments and the politicians in both countries to "avoid moves and statements that create tension and can lead to conflict".

The search for solutions to the problems is necessary to be done through peaceful means and procedures according to the Ipektsi Committee announcement.

It should be reminded that the Ipektsi Committee was founded 17 years ago and was named after the murdered turkish journalist and director of the newspaper "Milliyet" Abdi Ipektsi, who was a known pacifist and strong supporter of the greek-turkish dialogue.

[06] GREEK PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT TO VISIT CYPRUS

Mr.Kaklamanis will meet in Cyprus with Cypriot President Kliridis, Archbishop Chrisostomos, Cypriot Parliament President and the political leadership of the country.

[07] US SENATORS PROMISE EFFORTS FOR SOLUTION ON CYPRUS

US Senators Clayborn Pel, Charles Rob and James Inhof met yesterday with Cypriot Republic President Glafkos Kliridis who briefed them on the developments concerning the Cyprus issue.

They also met with Parliament President Alexis Galanos who stated that the United States can play a role in reaching a solution for the Cyprus problem based on the Western principles and values.

[08] GREEK JUSTICE MINISTER INVITES ALBANIAN COUNTERPART TO

Mr.Saferi, according to Tirana's state radio station, has accepted the invitation and is expected to visit Athens soon. During the visit will be discussed issues of bilateral cooperation and of mutual assistance on legal issues.

[09] MILOSEVIC'S WIFE PRESENTS HER BOOK IN ATHENS

Ms. Marcovic's book, titled "Night and Day in Yugoslavia", is a collection of her feature articles published in a yugoslav magazine between December 1992 and July 1994. The articles elaborate on the Balkan region's political turbulances and ploys of the recent years.

The book was prologued by the Serb Vice President and Minister of Science and Technology Slobodan Unkovic and by ms Niki Goulandris, the greek lady who has been awarded as "woman of Europe".