[01] US PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE TO UN MEETS WITH PRIME MINISTER

[02] EU VETERINARIANS TO SUBMIT FINDINGS TOMORROW, WILL DECIDE ON THE BAN

[03] SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT MEETS WITH SAE PRESIDENT, DISCUSSES MEDA

[04] RISH FOREIGN MINISTER TO BRIEF TANSU CILLER ON MEDA PROGRAM

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] US PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE TO UN MEETS WITH PRIME MINISTER

The United States permanent representative to the United Nations Madleine Albright met with Prime Minister Kostas Simitis and Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos today in Athens, prior to departing for Cyprus.

According to reports, Ms. Albright expressed her contained optimism for solving the Cyprus problem while expressing fears for a new, warm episode between Greece and Turkey. Ms. Albright is said to favor a resort to The Hague International Court regading the Imia islets.

" Our position regarding the Aegean Sea is to discuss the resort to The Hague International Court, or to another arbitration method, and we hope that this will be accomplished soon," she stated.

"The time has come for a compromise solution to the Cyprus problem," she stated following the rmeeting with Mr. Pangalos, and she saluted Greece's stance on the MEDA financing program, as well as the greco-turkish agreement not to hold military exercises in the Aegean Sea during the July-August period.

When asked if Greece has the US's understanding on the issue of the Defense Doctrine between Greece-Turkey, Ms. Albright stated that "we understand the Defense Doctrine and its meaning. but at the same time we are concerned over the increase of military forces in the region. We understand Greece's interest for Cyrpus, however the tension of de-militarization creates a problem in this sensitive region."

Moreover, Ms. Albright denied reports that present her as a friend of the turkish lobby.

"I did not create the turkish lobby, but I have dealt with the Cyprus issue for many years and my friends Dukakis and Sarbanis will be surprised if they read those reports," she stated.

According to US State Department spokesperson Nicholas Burns, Ms. Albright is expected to present specific proposals both for the Aegean Sea, as well as for the Cyprus problem.

Ms. Albright is accompanied by the US special emissary for Cyprus Richard Beatty.

In Nicosia, the US ambassador will examine the "effectiveness of the UN peacekeeping mission in Cyprus" and discuss potential opportunities for a comprehensive agreement.

Following Nicosia, Ms. Albright will travel to Ankara on Friday, July 19, where she will meet with officials of the newly- formed Turkish government and, aside from bilateral issues, she will discuss Cyprus and Iraq.

[02] EU VETERINARIANS TO SUBMIT FINDINGS TOMORROW, WILL DECIDE ON THE BAN

The European Union veterinarians who are performing sample checks on animals stricken by the foot and mouth disease in northeastern Greece will submit their findings to the EU Standard Agricultural Committee which will convene on Friday. Depending on the report, the EU will decide either to extend the applied restricting measures or to lift them.

The checks so far have focused in the villages of Makri and Dikela while the whole prefectures of Rodopi and Evros have been placed in quarantine.

Meawhile, local stockbreeders are threatening not to allow the slaughter of their animals unless they reach an agreement with the Agriculture Ministry over the amount of compensation they will be receiving.

Yesterday, more than 1,300 calves were slaughtered in the Doriskos community.

[03] SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT MEETS WITH SAE PRESIDENT, DISCUSSES MEDA

Speaker of Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis met with the President of the Council of Greeks Abroad (SAE) Andrew Athens this morning and discussed issues concerning the Greek community abroad and the Parliament's support to SAE's project.

Commenting on the recent MEDA decision, Mr. Kaklamanis commented that it is a significant event.

"It is a positive response within the parameters of community solidarity, which our country sought.

"I believe that Turkey will have to commit to the conditions set and will stop creating problems against international law and Greece," Mr. Kaklamanis stated.

[04] RISH FOREIGN MINISTER TO BRIEF TANSU CILLER ON MEDA PROGRAM

Turkey is expected to take a position today regarding the conditions set forth by the European Union Ministerial Council over the funding programe MEDA through which Ankara is to receive aid.

Irish Foreign Minister Dick Spring, who also presides over the Council will meet in Dublin today with Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller, in order to brief her on the recent decision drawn by the "15."

President of European Parliament Claus Hensch pointed out that the MEDA program's funds will be allocated only if the countries who are to receive the funds respect international law.

Meanwhile, the foreign ministers of France and Germany have expressed their satisfaction over the Council's results and the lift of Greece's veto over MEDA.

During Monday's EU Ministerial Council held in Brussels, Greece lifted its veto over the MEDA financing program after the EU General Affairs Council expressed its solidarity to Greece in a written statement in which it asked Ankara to respect international laws and to avoid any act -or threat- of use of force.

The statement released by the Council also pointed out the EU's intense concern over the situation that arose after the turkish claims over the Imia islets, in east Aegean Sea and expressed the EU's solidarity towards a member-state, i.e. Greece.

Also, the Council's statement reminded Turkey that its relations with the EU are based on a clear commitment to the principle of respecting international laws and accords, as well as upholding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of EU member- states.

No MEDA funding will be issued to Turkey prior to September 15 and the financial aid will take place only after Ankara responds to the Irish-held EU Presidency with a statement that Turkey accepts the conditions set forth by tthe statement.

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