MPA NEWS IN BRIEF (27/05/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency Brief News in English Directory

BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN BY MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY

Thessaloniki May 27, 1996

TITLES

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] GREEK-TURKISH DIPLOMATIC DELEGATIONS TO MEET IN GENEVA TOMORROW

Diplomatic delegations from Greece and Turkey will meet tomorrow in Geneva, in light of the upcoming meeting between the foreign ministers of the two countries, Theodoros Pangalos and Emre Gonensay, respectively, in Berlin.

Meanwhile, the former US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Canadian Affairs Richard Holbrooke stated yesterday that Greece and Turkey cannot have good relations if first the cypriot issue is not resolved. Mr. Holbrooke was in Greece in order to participate at the Athens-held International Conference titled "Foreign Policy and the Mass Media."

Earlier, Mr. Pangalos stressed that if honest, consistent and good intention steps are taken by Turkey for the fair resolution of the problems, then Greece is ready to cooperate.

[02] GREECE-FYROM NEGOTIATIONS SHOULD CONTINUE, SAYS COUNCIL OF EUROPE SECRETARY-GENERAL

In an exclusive interview with the Macedonian Press Agency, the Council of Europe's Secretary-General Daniel Tarschys, expressed his satisfaction for the imrpovement noted in Greece- FYROM trade relations and stated that he hopes the remaining issues affecting the relaitons between the two neighbors will soon be settled.

"We are especially satisfied that the New York-reached agreement has relieved some of the issues and that trade has begun to improve. Thessaloniki has a great role to play with its port. We hope that the following talks will lead to a settlement of the remaining problems. These are problems which should not exist between two neighboring countries," Mr. Tarschys stated prior to the beginning of the C of E's Political Committee meeting, opening the Spring Conference of the Parliamentary Assembly, inaugurated in Thessaloniki this morning.

According to Mr. Tarschys, the problems between the two countries include the issue of FYROM's name, for which the Secretary-General expressed the hope that "a reasonable solution can be found."

Clarifying what the C of E means by the term "reasonable solution", the Secretary-General stated that " basically, 'reasonable' means that each country chooses its name."

He added that, in his opinion, this is a normal solution for other countries, although, he stated, this should be done following an agreement. He said that he hopes to see talks held between Greece and FYROM soon for a final settlement of the issue.

Meanwhile, meetings are currently held by two sub-committees of the Political Committee, where members are discussing the peace- keeping procedures in the Middle East and the application of the Dayton Agreement.

[03] DEMOCRATIC RALLY PARTY GAINS MAJORITY AT CYPRUS' PARLIAMENT ELECTIONS

Cyprus' governmental coalition managed to maintain majority rule in the Cypriot Parliament, despite a slight reduction in its percentages.

According to up-to-date results, the Democratic Rally (DISY) party, led by President Glafkos Clerides received 34.49 per cent of the votes and gained 20 seats. The Communist Party, Progressive Party of the Working People (AKEL), led by Dimitris Christofias, gathered 33.03 per cent of the votes, an increase of 2.37%, and garnered 19 seats in parliament.

Democratic Party (DIKO)-led by former President Spyros Kyprianou gained 16.4 percent of the votes and earned 10 parliamentary seats, while United Democratic Union of the Center (EDEK)-led by former president of Parliament Vasos Lyssarides- brought in 8.12 per cent of the votes with five seats in parliament. Party of the Free Democrats (KED)-led by former President George Vasiliou, earned 3.68 per cent of the votes and two seats.

New Horizons party (NE.O)- led by Nikos Koutsou- with 1.70%, the Socialist Democratic Renewal Movement (ADISOK)-led by Mihalis Papapetrou- 1.44%, the Ecologists-Environmentalists 1% and the Independent .13%, are not represented in the Parliament's new formation.

Voter absenteeism was measured at 8.22 percent, while the null and blank ballots amounted to 1.48% and 1.54% respectively.

[04] ALBANIA: EIGHT PARTIES WITHDRAW FROM ELECTIONS, BERISHA REJOICES

Yesterday's general elections in Albania have resulted in intense speculations, since most of the oppostion parties pulled out of the elections mid-way through the voting and accusations of threat and intimidation abound.

Today, in spite of the fact that the official results have not been announced, the Democratic Party is rejoicing an "overwhelming victory" and President Sali Berisha last night thanked the electorate body for "the support and large majority". He attributed the opposition parties' boycott to "despair by the size of their defeat."

Meanwhile, the President of the Social Democrats Skeder Ginousi made talk of a "coup" and said that the public records had been falsified. He also implied that within the followinng days the opposition will determine the stance it will adopt towards President Berisha and his Democratic Party.

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