[01] GREEK PREMIER SPEAKS ON GREECE AND CYPRUS IN INTERVIEW WITH "SELIDES"

[02] CYPRUS' ACCESSION TO EU IS ITS BEST DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY, SAYS SPRING

[03] U.S. INITIATIVES ON GREECE-TURKEY AND CYPRUS AFTER NOVEMBER'S ELECTIONS

[04] 1997 BUDGET "DIFFICULT", TAX AUDITS SHOULD INCREASE, SAYS FINANCE MINISTER

[05] THREE GREEK CLASSICS TRANSLATED IN ALBANIAN LANGUAGE

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] GREEK PREMIER SPEAKS ON GREECE AND CYPRUS IN INTERVIEW WITH "SELIDES"

Greek Prime Minister and PASOK President Kostas Simitis emphasized the importance of the joint defense doctrine between Greece and Cyprus, in an interview with the cypriot maganize "Selides".

In the interview, Mr. Simitis points out that during his upcoming visit to Cyprus -October 1- he intends to promote measures for the strenghtening of not only the military cooperation between the two countries but also of trade and economic ties.

Moreover, Mr. Simitis stated that Greece will try to promote a solution to Cyprus through peaceful and diplomatic means. He emphasized that any invasion of turkish forces into Cyprus will constitute a cause of war between Greece and Turkey.

The Premier also noted that the fact that he chose Cyprus to conduct his first formal visit to another country, during his current term in office, constitutes an active expression of Greece's solidarity and support to the struggle of the Cypriot hellenism.

"The solid Athens-Nicosia front is a must for the promotion of our national interests," Mr. Simitis said.

[02] CYPRUS' ACCESSION TO EU IS ITS BEST DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY, SAYS SPRING

Irish Foreign Minister Dick Spring stated today that the accession of Cyprus to the European Union will ofer the best opportunity for political economic gains, both for Greek-Cypriots and for Turk-Cypriots.

In a press conference at the United Nations headquarters in New York, Mr. Spring, responding to how the E.U. is dealing with Turkey's refusal to support such accession, Mr. Spring said that the European Union supports the efforts of UN Secretary-General to attain a lasting solution to the Cyprus problem, one that would respect the coutnry's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, all in accordance to th UN resolutions. In reference to the tragic episodes that occured at Deryneia in August, Mr. Spring said that it as a difficult summer although the climate is stabilizing gradually.

Moreover, Mr. Spring characterized the greek-turkish relations as very significant due to the effects they bear on Cyprus and added that the E.U. is currently engaged in talks with Turkey.

[03] U.S. INITIATIVES ON GREECE-TURKEY AND CYPRUS AFTER NOVEMBER'S ELECTIONS

The United States appear ready to undertake initiatives in regards to the greek-turkish relations and the Cypriot issue, following November's presidential elections, according to White House sources.

Anthony Lake, White House Security Advisor and George Stephanopoulos a close associate of the U.S. President, addressed a gathering of greek community leaders in Washington yesterday and stressed the United States' interest in restoring stability in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

"Mr. Clinton considers the resolution to be an utmost interest of the american government to resolve the Cypriot issue and to de-escalate the tension between Greece and Turkey," stated Mr. Lake and added that the U.S. had waited to see the political developments in Turkey and Greece since last spring.

In regards to the Imia islets, Mr. Lake emphasized that the U.S. insist that recourse shoud be sought through the International Justice Court at The Hague. In reference to Turkey's challenge on Greece's sovereignty over the greek island Gavdos, Mr. Lake pointed out that his government gave a clear message to the Turkish government which resulted in Turkey abandoning its claim.

Mr. Stephanopoulos also emphasized that President Clinton is keenly interested in the eastern mediterranean region's issues and that he has assigned the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Madleine Albright, Mr. Anthony Lake and the U.S. former Undersecretary of State Richard Holbrooke to address the Cyprus problem and the Aegean Sea isues.

Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller, in Washington yesterday, once again refused Greece's proposal - adopted by Washington- to refer the Imia issue to The Hague, and supported that all the issues concerning the Aegean Sea should be subjected to international mediation as a "package."

[04] 1997 BUDGET "DIFFICULT", TAX AUDITS SHOULD INCREASE, SAYS FINANCE MINISTER

National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou summoned a conference in his office this morning where he and his associates examined the state's budget progress as well as public revenue and debts and concluded that tax audits must be intesified since revenue lagged behind the initial assessment.

Following the meeting, Mr. Papantoniou characterized next year's budget as a "difficult one" although he declined further comment in light of the Premier's programs to be announced in a few days.

[05] THREE GREEK CLASSICS TRANSLATED IN ALBANIAN LANGUAGE

Three Greek books translated in the albanian language were formally unveiled at the Greek Embassy in Tirana yesterday.

The books, Nikos Kazantakis' "Life and Adventures of Alexis Zorbas", Melina Mercouri's "I was Born Greek" and George Seferis' "Poems", were introduced by poets and translators who briefly spoke on the lives of the authors.

Complete archives of the Macedonian Press Agency bulletins are available on the MPA Home Page at http://www.mpa.gr/ and on the U.S. mirror at http://www.hri.org/MPA/