MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (26/03/1996)

From: Macedonian Press Agency <mpa@philippos.mpa.gr>

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Tuesday, March 26 1996

TITLES

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] EU FOREIGN MINISTERS COUNCIL FALLS THROUGH, TURKEY'S ASSOCIATION POSTPONED

The postponement was incumbent since the turkish goverment refused to accept the planned document suggested by the 15, whose text included the greek positions that call for Turkey to commit itself on the issue of Greece's territorial integrity, to state that it will not resort to violence or the threat thereof against Greece and to observe the international accords.

Concurrently, the document made a clear reference to the fact that any dispute between the two countries would be resolved by the International Court of Justice at The Hague, while it was specifically stated that Turkey must respect and observe the good neighboring rules.

The document's text brought about a "marathon" of negotiations, as the Italian Foreign Minister Suzanna Agnelli communicated numerous times with her turkish counterpart. Late last night, Germany, France and Italy retracted their original positions and tried to adopt another, clearly changed text. However, Greece reacted and the result was the postponement of the EU-Turkey Association Council.

Following the meeting, Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos spoke to reporters and stated that "the postonement took place because we refused any text that does not express the principles, which, on one hand are Community principles and on the other constitute general principles of the United Nations constitutional map and the Helsinki Final Act, which Turkey has also signed."

Mr. Pangalos continued that the greek position is crystal clear, does not permit questioning and emphasized that "no one can convince us to abandon our position." He aslso pointed out that the italian presidency has been subjected to various pressures, some stemming from factors found outside the Community.

Meanwhile, the Italian Foreign Minister, who currently holds the rotating EU Presidency, avoided to attribute responsibility to anyone regarding the Association Council's cancellation and merely stated that the meeting has been psotponed to a future date. However, the EU Foreign Ministers have authorized Italy to undertake the necessary steps that will lead to the Association Council meeting being held soon, certainly by June.

[02] THE POSTPONEMENT OF THE TURKEY-EU ASSOCIATION COUNCIL IS AN ACHIEVEMENT OF THE GREEK DIPLOMACY, STATED MR.ARSENIS

Mr.Arsenis also underlined that he is against the unconditional start of dialogue with Turkey which disregards human rights and international conventions. The Minister characterized the greek-turkish disputes as a problem with wider dimensions and for its solution he proposed the creation of a strong deterrent armed force, a series of defense agreements with countries facing similar problems with Greece in relation with Turkey and intense negotiation campaign in Europe and the United States.

Mr.Arsenis also proposed the development of a multilateral and active cooperation with the Balkan states in combination with Greece's relations with Europe.

The greek Minister of Defense also pointed out the threat of a new oil crisis which will soon break out as 15% of the population in the developed countries uses 80% of the world energy, while the third world population is increasing, asking too for access to energy resources.

According to mr.Arsenis, the issue of oil and its transport through oil pipe-lines will be a major political and economic issue in the decades to come and will determine the security in the region of south-eastern Europe. Also, he underlined that instability in the Balkans is due mainly to the competition of powers outside the region, while he stressed that even though there is no european policy for the Balkans there is a clear presence of the United States and oil companies which have a view point on energy and its transport in the region.

[03] GREECE WILL INSIST ON ITS VETO FOR AS LONG AS TURKEY CONTINUES THE PROVOCATIONS, SAID THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER

The above were stated by greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos upon his return from Brussels. He characteristically stated that for as long as the greek sovereignty over the Dodecanese continues to be disputed the relations between Turkey and the European Union can not have a normal course.

The greek Foreign Minister stated that Greece is not refusing to have dialogue with Turkey but is not discussing issues concerning its territorial rights. He clarified that the basis for this dialogue can be previous contacts and agreements between the two countries, using as an example the agreement signed in Vouliagmeni by former Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias and Mesut Yilmaz, the then turkish Foreign Minister.

Mr.Pangalos also did not rule out a possible meeting with his turkish counterpart in Bucharest this April on the sidelines of the Black Sea Conference.

Finally, the greek Foreign Minister stressed that the greek delegation gave a difficult fight and managed to win the adoption of the greek positions by the EU, according to which Turkey disputes the greek sovereignty over the Dodecanese.

[04] THE GREEK PRIME MINISTER IS INVITED TO VISIT TURKEY

The turkish Ambassador outlined mr.Yilmaz's positions expressed during a press conference three days ago and reiterated the turkish Prime Minister's invitation to mr.Simitis to visit Ankara.

According to information, mr.Simitis said to the Turkish Ambassador that Greece wants good relations with Turkey and called Ankara to help in a decisive way toward this direction. Based on the same sources, the Prime Minister asked Turkey to accept the positions of the EU member states as they were expressed in yesterday's Council of Ministers.

[05] GREEK PREMIER TURNS DOWN INVITATION TO VISIT TURKEY, FOR NOW

The Media and Press Minister was referring to the invitation issued by Turkish Prime Minister Melsut Yilmaz to his greek counterpart Kostas Simitis to visit Turkey, in a message given by the Turkish Ambassador to Athens, Umit Pamir.

Mr. Reppas stated that the Greek Premier outlined to Mr. Pamir the greek positions and expressed the greek government's willingness to smooth out bilateral relations.

[06] FOREIGN MINISTER SPEAKS ON POSTPONEMENT OF EU-TURKEY ASSOCIATION

Upon his return from Brussels, Mr. Pangalos stated that during yesterday's EU Foregin Ministers Council, Greece maintained a stance that was "decisive and at the same time modest and prudent."

Mr. Pangalos noted that Greece has "the best intentions" towards the Yilmaz proposals for a greek-turkish dialogue "in the framework of bilateral contacts, that will imminently take place, such as, for example, the Black Sea Conference scheduled to take place in April in Bucharest.

However, Mr. Pangalos ruled out a dialogue based on the "well- understood interests (to which the turk Premier make reference), which for Turkey constitute a dialogue regarding greek sovereignty."

"If Turkey believes that certain borders are not as she wishes them to be, then it may resort to The Hague," Mr. Pangalos stated.

Commending on Mr. Yilmaz' speech given to the EU, Mr. Pangalos noted that, aside from the positive points, it also contained numerous inaccuracies and impression- seeking areas. He specifically referred to a part of Mr. Yilmaz's speech where the Turk Premier stated that "Turkey does not violate anyone's territorial sovereignty."

The Greek Foreign Minister stated that quite recently Turkey violated Greece's territorial sovereignty in Imia, has been occupying for more than 20 years 40% of Cyprus, and crosses the borders of Iraq every 15-20 days.

[07] THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE BOSNIAN SERBS LEAVES OPEN THE POSSIBILITY OF KARADJIC'S PARTICIPATION IN THE SERB REPUBLIC'S FORTHCOMING ELECTIONS

Mr.Kolievic said that the efforts of the Serb Republic's political leadership are focusing on the possibility to have President Radovan Karadjic as candidate in the elections despite the fact that the bosnian-serb leader has been indicted as war criminal. The bosnian-serb vice-President referred to the efforts by Russia to have Karadjic acquitted of all charges and clarified that the Dayton agreement does not include a term ruling out mr.Karadjic's participation in the elections. Nevertheless, he admitted that the international community and the European Union exert strong pressures in order to bar mr.Karadjic from being a candidate in the elections.

He also stated that "external pressures" on the Bosnian-Serbs aim at making them promote certain candidatures and stressed that the bosnian-serbs will not allow anyone with fake political ambitions to bring division among them.

The Bosnian-Serb vice-President also confirmed information according to which the NATO peace implementation forces encourage the Muslims and the Croats to live in serb regions expressing doubt that a large number of them want to visit or live in the serb controlled regions. Mr.Kolievic also clarified that the Serb Republic's political leadership will raise no restrictions.

Commenting on the forthcoming recognition of FYROM by New Yugoslavia under the name "Macedonia" he said that the problem with Skopje must be resolved in order to have stability in the Balkan region but he stressed that the issue should not be resolved in a way that will hurt the greek-serb relations, stating characteristically that the bosnian-serbs know very well what this friendship means.

[08] GREECE WILL NOT PARTICIPATE IN NATO'S "DISTANT THUNDER 96" EXERCISE

The Aegean Sea portion of the exercise will continue throughout today and tomorrow, with the participation of Turkey and small forces of other allies. Greek military patrol boats and fighter planes are currently present in the region, in order to avert any potential turkish provocations.

The aeronautical exercise will be carried out until April 5 and will take place in inland Turkey and the eastern Mediterranean.

[09] US PRESIDENT SIGNS PROCLAMATION FOR GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY

In the proclamation, released last Friday by the White House, the American President states that "it is one of history's great ironies that Greece, the birthplace of democracy, was subject for centuries to foreign domination, culminating in almost four hundred years of political suppression by the Ottoman Empire."

Commemorating the one hundred and seventy-fifth anniversary of the Greek Revolution, the american President calls upon all Americans "to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies, activities and programs."

[10] U.S. FIRST LADY IN ANKARA TODAY, TO VISIT ATHENS ON THURSDAY

On Thursday, Mrs. Clinton, who is accompanied by her 16-year- old daughter Chelsea, will arrive in Athens, where she will meet with representatives of women's groups and will participate in the ceremonial lighting of the Olympic flame that will burn at the July Atlanta Summer Games.

[11] CYPRUS SIGNS TECHNICAL CO-OPERATION ACCORD WITH RUSSIA

Referring to the contents of the accord, the Cypriot Defense Minister clarified that it is an accord-framework based on which others may follow in the future.

Commending on turkish reactions to the agreement, Mr. Heliades stated that "the Cypriot Republic is an independent state and has the right to sign international accords with any (state) including the Russian Federation."

During his stay in Russia, the Cypriot Defense Minister also visited industrial armament plants.

[12] THE CYPRIOT FOREIGN MINISTER IS ON A VISIT TO ISRAEL

The talks he will have in Israel are expected to cover issues concerning bilateral relations, the course of the Middle East peace process, Cyprus' role in the region and also issues of mutual interest. Mr.Michailidis will return to Cyprus on Wednesday night.

[13] ITALIAN EU PRESIDENCY REPRESENTATIVE ARRIVES IN CYPRUS TOMORROW

Cypriot government spokesman avoided to comment on the report submitted by mr.Di Roberto stating that everyting taking place within the EU Council of Ministers is confidential.

[14] TEN TONS OF BEEF FROM GREAT BRITAIN CONFISCATED IN GREECE

Meanwhile, according to reports, Agriculture Minister Stefanos Tzoumakas, among his proposals presented today at the Governmental Committee, aksed for more intensive checks on all imported meat in the market, as opposed to the sample checks that were being performed until now.

[15] QUEEN ELISABETH SENT CONGRATULATORY TELEGRAM TO GREEK PRESIDENT

In her message, Her Majesty expresses her warm salute to the President and the greek people and wishes upon the country a future of happiness and welfare.

[16] BOSNIAN-SERB LEADER CONGRATULATES GREEK PRESIDENT AND PREMIER

Mr. Karadjic wished upon the Greek people to continue to aim towards a complete economic welfare, a social and spiritual recognition and to strengthen the greek fame in the struggle for peace, friendship and co-operation between the two orthodox friends.

According to the Bosnian Serb news agency that broadcast the message, Mr. Karadjic's salute was fit for the occasion of the Greek Independence Day.

[17] DEFENSE MINISTER WILL TRAVEL TO BOSNIA TOMORROW

During his stay in Bosnia, Mr. Arsenis will hold briefing sessions with officers in Sarajevo's peacekeeping forces headquarters.

[18] BULGARIAN FOREIGN MINISTER TO VISIT GREECE

The announcement was made by the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry spokesperson P. Karasimeonov.

[19] GREEK PARLIAMENTARIANS VISIT AUSTRALIA FOR GREEK NATIONAL HOLIDAY

Heading the delegation is the PASOK MP P. Fountas, accompanied by main opposition MP Panayiotopoulos, Political Spring MP Nikopoulos and Greek Communist Party MP Strifaris.

The delegation members have asked the leaders of the greek community in Australia to undertake common initiatives that will reach a solution to the so-called "ecclesiastical" issue that has concerned the Australian greek community for more than 30 years.

[20] THOUSANDS ATTEND GREEK NATIONAL HOLIDAY PARADE IN BOSTON

This year's parade featured the participation of more than 70 organizations. Attending the festivities in Boston were the Mayor Thomas Menino, and representatives of the federation of Hellenic- American Societies of New England, who sponsored the parade, as well as the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Boston.

[21] US OPENS EMBASSY IN SKOPJE, UN AMBASSADOR ON VISIT

Ms. Albright met with FYROM President Kiro Gligorov, as well as with the Ministers of Defense and Foreign Affairs. The UN ambassador also met with american troops based in the Petrovac Army Camp near the Skopje Airport.

At the inauguration of the U.S. Embassy in Skopje, Ms. Albright read a letter from U.S. President Bill Clinton calling the opening of the diplomatic mission a "clear demonstration of U.S. support and a strong symbol of our closeness."

The U.S. recognized FYROM in February 1994 but delayed opening an embassy in Skopje until Greece and FYROM signed an interim accord.

[22] MULTIETHNIC SARAJEVO WILL NOT SURVIVE PEACE

[23] FRANCE WARNS AGAIN ON PEACE PROCESS IN BOSNIA

It was stated in Paris that the peace process in Bosnia is threatened by three main dangers: controversies between the Croatian and Muslim ruling parties in Bosnia- Herzegovina, the determination of the United States to provide weapons to the Muslim army and the withdrawal of American troops from Bosnia before the end of the year, as announced by President Clinton.

A french Foreign Ministry communique sent strong remarks, mostly to Zagreb, demanding that Franjo Tudjman guarantees the respect of all the provisions of the Peace Agreement. The crisis of the dual federation in Bosnia is qualified as very dangerous and risky. Moreover, the Bosnia-Herzegovina Federation is called by the Paris commentators "an Achilles heel" of the Dayton Agreement.

[24] GHALI ACCUSES THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT OF ETHNIC INTOLERANCE

Supporting his statements, Ghali quoted the behavior of the Muslim ruling party television station SDA which these days was broadcasting Islamic and nationalist programs instead of promoting a religious and ethnic tolerance, which was the point of departure of the Dayton Peace Agreement.

[25] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE REPORT

CURRENCY          FIXING      BUY         SELL
ECU              302.6000   301.6920    303.5080
U.S. Dollar      240.6100   239.8880    241.3320
Deutsche Mark    163.0700   162.5810    163.5590
UK Sterling      367.3400   366.2380    368.4420
French Franc      47.6200    47.4770     47.7530
Swedish Crown     36.3790    36.2700     36.4880
Danish Kroner     42.2440    42.1170     42.3710
Norwegian Crown   37.5100    37.3970     37.6230
Italian Lira      15.3725    15.3260     15.4190
Swiss Franc      202.0520   201.4460    202.6580
Spanish Peseta     1.9408     1.9350      1.9466
Finnish Mark      52.3800    52.2230     52.5370
Yen              226.7650   226.0850    227.4450