MPA NEWS IN BRIEF (02/10/1996)

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From: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.

BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN BY MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY

Thessaloniki, October 2, 1996

TITLES

[01] CYPRIOT AND GREEK DELEGATIONS PROCEED TO A COMMON STATEMENT

[02] CYPRIOT PRESIDENT CLERIDES WELCOMES GREEK PREMIER'S POLICY ON CYPRUS

[03] BULGARIA'S FORMER PREMIER LUGANOV ASSASSINATED THIS MORNING IN SOFIA

[04] DICK SPRING SAYS CILLER'S STATEMENTS ON TURKEY-EU ARE NOT SATISFACTORY

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] CYPRIOT AND GREEK DELEGATIONS PROCEED TO A COMMON STATEMENT

Nicosia, October 2 (M.P.A.)

According to the statement, attention must be awarded to finding a peaceful solution based on the United Nations resolutions, while the international community's initiatives are also being supported as they strengthen the UN efforts, although the two bodies must coordinate their actions.

As such, the statement reads, a peaceful solution must be sought based on the UN decisions and the Summit Agreements of 1977 and 1979, as well as the support of the services provided by the UN Secretary-General.

Moreover, the statement recognizes the significance of the defense cooperation between Greece and Cyprus, within the framework of the Joint Defense Doctrine between the two countries. Also, the statement clearly states that a further invasion by Turkey into Cyprus will constitute a cause of war.

On Cyprus' accession to the European Union, the statement illustrates the significant progress noted up to date, in light of the accession negotiations that are scheduled to start six months following the intergovernmental conference, as well as the need to intensify the common efforts in achieving such accession within a short time period.

On the missing persons issue, the statement reads that the subject will be closely followed and the necessary actions will be taken towards the UN.

Lastly, the common statement emphasizes that the contacts between Greece and Cyprus were carried out in an exemplary climate and have re-confirmed the cooperation that already exists between the two countries on all areas.

[02] CYPRIOT PRESIDENT CLERIDES WELCOMES GREEK PREMIER'S POLICY ON CYPRUS

Nicosia, October 2 (M.P.A.)

With these moving words, the President of the Republic of Cyprus Glafkos Clerides decorated Premier Simitis with the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios the 3rd, during a formal ceremony this morning at the presidential mansion.

Mr. Clerides aso referred extensively to Mr. Simitis's decision to strenghten the Joint Defense Doctrine beteeen Greece and Cyprus and to his vow that any effort by the turkish occupation armed forces to enter Cyprus will constitute a cause of war between Greece and Turkey.

"Your national policy on the Cypriot issue brings relief and satisfaction to the Cypriot Hellenism and strengthens our fight for physical and national survival on our ancestors' soil and substantially aids in the search, through peaceful means, of a solution to the Cyprus problem, a solution that is fair, viable and functional," stated Mr. Clerides.

In turn, Mr. Simitis assured the Cypriot people that "the Mother country and the Greek nation does not forget that we stand by your side, bound by a pledge of honor until the final justice."

Moreover, Mr. Simitis assured the Cypriots that the Greek nation will stand by the Cypriot-Greeks until the withdrawal of the invader and the restoration of the independent Repubic of Cyprus, "until the day that all Cypriots, independently of origin, language or religion will be able to live free in a country that prospers, an equal member of the large european family."

The Greek Premier stated that he is honored to be given the Grand Cross by Cyprus and emphasized that an unbreakable unity characterizes the relations between Greece and Cyprus.

Following the ceremony, the Greek delegation accompanying the Premier on his travel met with the corresponding Cypriot delegation and discussions are expected to continue until this afternoon when the Mayor of Nicosia will bestow upon the Premier the city's golden key and will proclaim him an honorary citizen of the Cypriot capital.

Later this afternoon, the University of Cyprus will award the Greek Premier with an honorary Doctor's degree in the School of Economic Sciences and Administration.

Early this evening, Mr. Simitis and Mr. Clerides will give a press conference at the Larnaca airport where the Premier will depart for Athens.

[03] BULGARIA'S FORMER PREMIER LUGANOV ASSASSINATED THIS MORNING IN SOFIA

Sofia, October 2 (M.P.A.)

Luganov, 58 years old, had served twice as the country's Prime Minister and lately was involved in the private sector.

According to the Bulgarian state-owned radio, Luganov's neighbors heard two gunshots at the time when the ex-Premier was exiting his house.

Bulgarian police have not issued any information on the incident so far, while heading the investigation is the Bulgarian Minister of the Interior Nicholai Dobrev.

[04] DICK SPRING SAYS CILLER'S STATEMENTS ON TURKEY-EU ARE NOT SATISFACTORY

Luxemburg, October 2 (M.P.A.)

Mr. Spring has stated that his meeting with Ms. Ciller in New York did not bear the expected results. Similar was the response of the European Commissioner Hans van der Broek, although certain of the ministers who addressed yesterday's General Affairs Council in Luxemburg emphasized the significance of developing economic relations between the EU and Ankara.

Greece's alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou emhasized that Greece, too, wishes for the development of good relations with Turkey but only under the clear condition that Ankara will respect the principles of international law and good neighboring.

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/

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