BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN (15/02/1996)

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 15, 1996

TITLES

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] EUROPARLIAMENT SUPPORT GREEK POSITIONS ON AEGEAN

The voting result in the European Parliament has as follows, from a total of 374 deputies 342 voted for the resolution, 21 against while there were 11 abstentions.

It is worth noting that the only change to the resolution that was submitted by the Greens was rejected. The proposed change was supporting the promotion of dialogue between the two sides and was not clarifying which side was responsible for the escalation of the crisis. In a separate voting this proposed change got only 50 votes while the leader of the Greens in the EU Parliament voted against the paragraph which clearly states that the greek borders are part of the European Union external borders.

The resolution is regarded as satisfactory because in it is mentioned "the provocative military operations by Turkey", the official statements by Turkey making territorial claims contesting the sovereign rights of an EU member-state and the agreements proving that the islet of Imia belongs to Greece, while the resolution also accepts that the particular turkish provocation is within the framework of "a broader policy of questioning the status quo in the Aegean".

The resolution recognizes in Article 3 that "Greece's borders are also part of the external borders of the European Union, while it "calls for compliance by Turkey with international treaties and in particular with the OSCE, which insists that all disputes be settled by peaceful means in accordance with international law".

Also, the European Parliament "deplores the failure of the European Union and its member-states in this crisis to take effective action within the framework of the common foreign and security policy".

According to the full text of the resolution, the European Parliament:

A. having regard to Turkey's provocative military operations in relation to the isle of Imia in the Eastern Aegean,

B. concerned about the dangers of over-reaction if this dispute continues,

C. having regard to Turkey's official statements making territorial claims and contesting the sovereign rights of an EU Member State,

D. whereas the islets Imia belongs to the Dodecanese group of islands , on the basis of Lausanne Treaty of 1923, the Protocol between Italy and Turkey of 1932 and the Paris Treaty of 1947, and whereas even on Turkish maps from the 1960's, these islets are shown as Greek territory,

E. whereas this action by Turkey forms part of a broader policy of questioning the status quo in the Aegean,

F. having regard to the common position of the Council set out at the Association Council meeting of March 6th, 1995 which considered it of paramount importance to encourage good - neighbourly relations between Turkey and its neighbouring member states of the EU, and whereas these privileged relations between the Union and Turkey should automatically preclude any military aggression,

1. Gravely concerned by the dangerous violation by Turkey of sovereign rights of Greece, a member state of the European Union and by the build-up of military tension in the Aegean;
2. Deplores the fact that Greece and Turkey appeared to be on the brink of hostilities and calls for an immediate stop to all actions which endanger peace and stability in this area;
3. Stresses that Greece's borders are also part of the external borders of the European Union;
4. Calls for compliance by Turkey with international treaties, and in particular the OSCE, which insists that all disputes be settled by peaceful means in accordance with international law;
5. Deplores the failure of the European Union and its member states in this crisis, to take effective action within the framework of the common foreign and security policy;
6. Calls on the Council to take appropriate initiatives for the amelioration of the relations between Greece and Turkey;
7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Government of Turkey, the Parliament of Greece and the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.

[02] GREEK PREMIER MEETS WITH HEAD OF HELLENISM ABROAD

Following the meeting, the Premier characterized the conversation as "an interesting one" and said that the men agreed on two targets. First, that SAE will undertake the examination of the problems greeks abroad face, in order to in turn make relevant solution-seeking proposals to the greek state.

Second, to promote the greek point of view on the national issues and to promote in all countries where greek immigrants are found the belief that Greece must be supported.

Mr. Simitis emphasized that SAE constitutes "the country's main base and advisor, as well as the organization through which we will act."

SAE President mr Andrew Athens stated that the meeting with the Premier "clarified the work we are facing ahead of us, for which we will do whatever we can." Mr. Athens added that after this weekend's conference in Thessaloniki, an action plan will be laid out.

Responding to a question regarding the protestations heard from greeks abroad regarding the abolishment of the under-Ministry of World Hellenism, said that "these activities were not abolished" and characterized as "comical" reports pointing to the contrary.

"The ministry continues its activities and will develop them in co-operation with SAE.

Also today, mr. Simitis will meet with one of the most powerful greek lobbyists from the United States, Angelos Tsakopoulos.

[03] FOREIGN MINISTER RECEIVED BY PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC

According to sources, the talk spanned all the issues that have recently arisen in the greek-turkish relations as well as the government's recent embarkment on an international campaign to distribute Greece's stance on these issues.

Following his meeting with the president, Mr. Pangalos did not make any statements.

[04] GREEK PARLIAMENT SPEAKER IN NICOSIA

During his stay in Cyprus, mr. Kaklamanis will meet with the President of the Republic of Cyprus Glafkos Klerides and with the Archbishop of Cyprus Chrysostomos, as well as with other cypriot political leaders.

The three-day visit will include a stopover at the Demarcation Line where Mr. Kaklamanis will be accompanied by the Mayor of Nicosia mr Lellos Demitriades.

[05] SAMARAS WILL TOUR CENTRAL MACEDONIA

Follwing his visits to Technologival Education Institutions in Thessaloniki, mr. Samaras will move on to visit the Dion Museum near Katerini.

Tomorrow, mr. Samaras is expected to meet with university rectors in Thessaloniki.