MPA NEWS IN BRIEF (14/06/1996)

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, June 14, 1996

TITLES

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] GREEK PREMIER OUTLINES NATIONAL ISSUES TO WORLD LEADERS IN A LETTER

Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis has forwarded a letter to his colleagues throughout the world, through which he outlines the greek positions on national issues, focusing on greek-turkish relations.

The Premier's letter was sent to the leaders of European Union member-countries, the Presidents of the European Commission and Parliament, the leaders of the United States and Russia and the Secretaries-General of the United Nations and NATO.

Mr. Simitis pointed out that the turkish stance constitutes a serious threat to the stability in the region and emphasizes the need to continuously and uniformly apply the international law's rules.

The Premier also states that any furthering of territorial claims could seriously upset the already fragile balance in the region and asks his addressees to proceed to any act they deem prudent in the name of upholding peace and stability.

[02] GREECE WILL RESIST TURKEY'S AGGRESSIVE POLICY THROUGH EVERY MEANS

Greece will resist with Turkey's aggressive policies through every means, stated the Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis during his visit to Crete, asking for the political forces and the people to stand united.

Mr. Simitis emphasized that "whoever doubts Gavdos is like doubting Crete, and whoever doubts Crete is doomed. The Premier added that Greece does not claim anything, but it will not cede anything away either.

During his meeting with the Mayor of Heraklion, Mr. Simitis pointed out Crete's abilities to develop into an economic and cultural center and outlined the role Greece's is called to play in the Balkan region and the eastern Mediterranean as well.

Meanwhile today, Defense Minister Gerasimos Arsenis will meet with the United States Secretary of Defense William Perry, as well as with NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana, within the sidelines of the NATO Defense Ministers Summit currently being held in Bruisels.

Yesterday Mr. Arsenis met with his counterparts from Britai nand France, Mr. Portillo and Mr. Millon respectively, and it became apparent that Greece's NATO allies insist on adopting a policy of "equal distancing" when it comes to Athens and Ankara, thereby further impeding Greece's expectations of solidarity by suggesting that a greek-turkish dialogue take place regarding the unacceptable claims made by Turkey.

Moreover, US State Department spokesperson Nicholas Burns yesterday reiterated that the solution to the differences between Grece and Turkey must be found through a compromise from both sides.

[03] GREEK ANTI-TERRORIST SQUAD AWARDED INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT SAFETY PRIZE

The internationally recognized flight safety prize "Conway for Safe Skies" was awarded to the greek police's anti- terrorist squad team in a ceremony held last evening at the World Development Council Conference Center in San Francisco, California.

The greek anti-terrorist squad team's commander Ioannis Ergazakis was applauded for leading the timely intervention of a hijack attempt committed by an Ethiopian journalist in November of 1995, shortly before the plane's landing at the "Hellinikon Airport" in Athens.

World Development Council President -and founder of the awards- McKinley Conway also gave a reward of $10,000 to Mr. Ergazakis in appreciation of the team's exemplary efforts for providing safety to passengers travelling to and from Athens' "Hellenikon" airport.

Last year's award was given to the French police's anti- terrorist squad team for its successful capture of the four Algerians who had overtaken an Air France plane at the airport of Marseilles.

[04] SECURITY COUNCIL TO HOLD SESSION OVER CYPRUS PROBLEM

The plenary session of the Security Council will hold a closed and unofficial meeting this afternoon, in order to discuss the Cyprus problem.

During the session, the Cypriot Foreign Minister Alekos Mihaelides will brief the Security Council members on the existing issues and will exhange points of view on the efforts to solve the problem of the divided island.

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