Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English, 97-01-10

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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, January 10, 1997

TITLES

[01] WASHINGTON WARNS TURKEY NOT TO ATTEMPT AN ATTACK ON CYPRUS

[02] GREECE VIEWS LATEST WORD FROM WASHINGTON ON CYPRUS AS "SIGNIFICANT"

[03] GREECE TAKES INITIATIVE TO EASE OFF CRISIS IN BELGRADE

[04] GREECE RATIFIES COUNCIL OF EUROPE'S PROTOCOL FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

[05] COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURAL POLICY BEGINS SESSION TODAY

[06] SERB GOVERNMENT'S BUILDING BESIEGED BY THOUSANDS OF COLLEGE STUDENTS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] WASHINGTON WARNS TURKEY NOT TO ATTEMPT AN ATTACK ON CYPRUS

Washington, January 10 (MPA)

U.S. State Department spokesperson Nicholas Burns stated that neither Turkey nor any other country has the right to threaten Cyprus with an attack and added that the international community does not support Mr. Tayan's statements.

"This is not the time to make such hard and dramatic statements. Such act means that Turkey has surpassed all limits," Mr. Burns said.

Moreover, he reiterated the U.S.' objection to the Nicosia-Moscow S-300 missile deal, but he clarified that this purchase does not justify the Turkish government's threats.

"We hope that this is a misunderstanding, that these statements do not reflect the Turkish government's views," Mr. Burns said, adding that all countries must respect the rules of the game.

When asked about what measures the U.S. Administration plans to take in case Turkey does not comply with the State Department's suggestions and continues to direct threats at Cyprus, Mr. Burns replied:

"As an ally-member of NATO, it is beyond all doubt that Turkey must not threaten Cyprus. And the Turks are aware of that.

"What is needed in the eastern Mediterranean is stability and the State Department's Director of South European Affairs, Carey Cavanaugh, will try to convince both sides in Cyprus to begin anew a political dialogue."

Mr. Cavanaugh is expected in Nicosia tomorrow, while on Monday he will be in Athens and on Wednesday in Ankara. A.F.

[02] GREECE VIEWS LATEST WORD FROM WASHINGTON ON CYPRUS AS "SIGNIFICANT"

Athens, January 10 (MPA)

Mr. Papandreou also added that regardless of the stance Turkey is to finally adopt, Greece must be prepared for the worst.

"The issue of international law is included in Mr. Burns' statements, (who said) that only within this framework can there be policies which will be acceptable," Mr. Papandreou said.

Referring to the imminent visits to Nicosia, Athens and Ankara by State Department's Director of South European Affairs, Carey Cavanaugh, PASOK Euro-deputy Yiannos Kranidiotis clarified that the Greek Government does not have information of what the American official plans to relay, although he added that Greece is open to listen to his proposals.

"All these efforts must by associated with the course and opportunity of resolving the Cyprus issue and the beginning of an inter-community dialogue," Mr. Kranidiotis stated and added "we are not dogmatically opposed to some measures for easing-off the tension and the situation, but these measures must always be within the framework of potential negotiations for resolving the Cyprus issue." A.F.

[03] GREECE TAKES INITIATIVE TO EASE OFF CRISIS IN BELGRADE

Belgrade, January 10 (MPA)

Reliable sources have confirmed that Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos will visit Belgrade during the weekend where he will have contacts with Serb President Slobodan Milosevic and Foreign Minister Milan Milutinovic, as well as with opposition leaders and Archbishop of Serbia Pavlos.

The MPA's corresponding office in Belgrade has reported that France, as well, intends to dispatch an envoy to the Federal Yugoslav Republic. According to the radio station "Free Europe", France will send a high- ranking diplomat who is responsible for his country's relations with other European countries. A.F.

[04] GREECE RATIFIES COUNCIL OF EUROPE'S PROTOCOL FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

Strasburg, January 10 (MPA)

The protocol establishes the joint European Court of Human Rights which will function on a permanent basis, thus replacing today's mechanisms as advised by the Court and the Commission.

The parties will have direct access to the new court, while, in the majority of cases, the court sessions will be officiated by seven judges who will adjudicate personal and interstate cases. A.F.

[05] COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURAL POLICY BEGINS SESSION TODAY

Athens, January 10 (MPA)

The Council, which comprises 135 members, also includes political party representatives, academicians and leaders of the local government, as well as consumers and representatives of farmers' organizations. A.F.

[06] SERB GOVERNMENT'S BUILDING BESIEGED BY THOUSANDS OF COLLEGE STUDENTS

Belgrade, January 10 (MPA)

The students camped out all night at Belgrade's central plaza, this being the new form of their rallies which will last for 24-hour periods from now on.

Yesterday evening, strong police forces surrounded the plaza and prevented the students from rallying in the streets.

The Federal Yugoslav Republic's tri-partite main opposition coalition "Zajedno" has announced that it will continue its rallies until its victory in November 17's local elections is recognized by the Serb government.

Meanwhile, the crisis that has been fermenting in Serbia since mid-November has earned the world's watchful eye. A.F.

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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