MPA NEWS IN BRIEF (29/03/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency Brief News in English Directory

BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN BY MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY

CONTENTS

[01] CLINTON, DEMIREL TO DISCUSS DODEKANESE ISLANDS TODAY

United States President Bill Clinton will discuss "general issues that concern the Dodekanese islands" with his Turk counterpart Suleiman Demirel during their White House meeting today, stated the White House spokesperson Mike McKerry during a press conference.

The announcement brought about the surprise of greek diplomatic circles. Diplomatic sources mentioned that Greece will ask for further explanations, as, up to now, it was known that the two leaders will discuss the Imia issue.

However, the White House representative added that President Clinton will examine ways to reduce the tension between Greece and Turkey. According to Washington reports, the american government may present an initiative which will cover the signing of a no- attack and good neighboring agreement between Greece and Turkey, in order to reduce the tension and serve as a base for a peaceful settlement of the differences.

Mike McKerry added that Clinton will also discuss with Demirel ways to solve the Cyprus issue, which has been proven, according to U.S. State Department officials, to be one of our era's most intricate problems.

The talks will concentrate also on the issue of the "Super Cobra" type helicopters which Turkey has been wanting to acquire for more than a year now, but whose granting by the U.S. is being blockaded by fierce protests from international human rights organizations.

During his stay in Washington, the Turk President will also meet with U.S. Senate majority leader and presidential candidate Robert Dole and with the "Washington Post"'s editorial board.

[02] US FIRST LADY HILLARY CLINTON TO VISIT ACROPOLIS AND ANCIENT OLYMPIA

United States First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, arrived in Athens last evening embarking on her three-day visit to Greece, her last European tour stop.

Mrs. Clinton, who is accompanied by her 16-year-old daughter Chelsea, was greeted at the Athens international airport Hellenikon by U.S. Ambassador Thomas Niles.

This morning, she toured the Acropolis and the Athenian ancient Agora, which were closed to the public as Mrs. Clinton wished to be photograph with the ancient artifacts.

Tomorrow, the U.S. First Lady will travel to Peloponnese in ancient Olympia were she will attend the lighting of the Olympic flame and in the evening she will return to Athens where she will attend a gala given in her honor by President Kostis Stephanopoulos.

[03] BILL CLINTON MET WITH ARCHBISHOP IACOVOS AT THE WHITE HOUSE

United States President Bill Clinton met yesterday with the Orthdox Archbishop of North and South Amercia Iakovos, as well as other prominent leaders of the greek-amercian community, on the occassion of Clinton's signing of the declaration for Greek Independence Day.

The Archbishop asked the U.S. President to exert pressure on Turkey to change its stance towards Greece.

After a private, yet brief, meeting with the American President, Mr. Iakovos stated that "I think I had the President's understanding, and I asked, since (the Turk President) Mr. Demirel is here, that he tell him that the policy of the intransigent ally is not the most peaceful. He told me that he would raise these issues for Mr. Demirel's consideration."

Following their tete-a-tete meeting, the Archbishop and Mr. Clinton also met with Greek Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis, Greek Ambassador to Washington Loukas Tsilas and Mr.Clinton's advisers Anthony Lake and George Stephanopoulos.

[04] EU UNANIMITY NECESSARY ONLY FOR DECLARATION OF WAR, SAYS ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER

Italian Foreign Minister Suzanna Agnelli, who currently holds the rotating European Union Presidency, stated today in a "Republica" interview that her response to Germany that the EU should undertake take decisions with unanimity was "only in case Europe wants to declare war."

The Italian Foreign Minister added that the Intergovernmental Conference in Turin should adjust its EU decision-making mechanism to the potential of widening the Community with new members.

"This starts with the way in which voting is carried out regarding decision-making," Ms. Agnelli stated.

"Majority rule should be applied, with the exception of very few instances where unanimity remains necesary," she added.

"Germany asked me in which cases I believe that unanimity is nesessary and I answered 'If Europe decides to declare war'," Agnelli stated, adding that almost all EU member-states admit that maintaining the veto power will render useless every activity.

"There will come a monent when you will say 'no', but since 14 of us have a different point of view, let's see how we can settle the matter. Anyone can understand this, and I believe that one fine morning the English will understand as well," Agnelli said.

[05] GREEKS, ARMENIANS AND KURDS TO PROTEST DEMIREL'S WHITE HOUSE VISIT

Washington's American Hellenic Institute is organizing a protest rally in front of the White House today, coinciding with Turk President Suleiman Demirel's meeting with the United States President Bill Clinton.

The rally, jointly organized by the Greek, Armenian and Kurdish communities as well as college organizations, will protest Turkey's threats on greek sovereignty in the Aegea Sea over Imia, the illegal, continuous occupation of North Cyprus, the restriction of religious freedom at the Ecumenical Patriarchate and illegal closing of the Halki School of Theology, the illegal blockade of Armenia, the use of U.S. weapons against its Kurdish citizens and the proposed U.S. sale of the 10 "Super Cobra" helicopters to Turkey.

During his stay at the U.S., The Turk President wil be appointed Professor Emeritus at Washington's Georgetown University and will be given the School's "Presidential Award", the University's highest honor. Greek, Armenian and Kurdish associations have inundated university officials with letters opposing this granting of titles to the turkish leader.

[06] FYROM'S FORMER FOREIGN MINISTER KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT COMPOUND NAME

FYROM's former Foreign Minister Stevo Chervenkovski has complete ignorance of any plans involving a compound name for Skopje.

The former Minister, who is currently vice-president of the Liberal Party, emphasized in an interview given to BBC's greek services that neither did the UN mediator Cyrus Vance present a proposal containing a compound name, nor did his country accept such a name.

"There was no proposal by Cyrus Vance, and besides that, no one here has accepted such a thing," stated Chervenkovski.

"I was suprised by the noise created suddenly and by how quickly the matter disappeared from the media," he added.

When asked how he sees his country's co-operation with the European Union, the former minister stated that the only way for development in the Balkan countries is their full accession to the EU.

"We are linearly opposed to any type of regional customs union. We believe that the only way to true economic development in the Balkans is their full accession to the EU. Whatever regional completion will destroy not only the economy but the political development of the countries and will create, once again, new divisions in the Balkans," stated Chervenkovski.