Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English, 97-11-21

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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, November 21, 1997

TITLES

[01] GREECE WILL VETO TURKEY’S PARTICIPATION IN THE EUROPEAN CONFERENCE

[02] THE GREEK DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER SPOKE TO MPA ON THE EU SUMMIT MEETING IN LUXEMBOURG

[03] TSOCHATZOPOULOS-PANGALOS MEETING

[04] ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD IN BOSNIA THIS WEEKEND

[05] MERCHANT MARINE IS OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE FOR GREECE

[06] CORDOVEZ’S CONTACTS IN CYPRUS

[07] THE HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN TURKEY INCREASED DURING YILMAZ’S ADMINISTRATION

[08] THE VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN CYPRUS WERE PRESENTED IN THE UN

[09] A COMMITTEE IS FORMED IN MELBOURNE FOR THE RETURN OF THE PARTHENON MARBLES

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] GREECE WILL VETO TURKEY’S PARTICIPATION IN THE EUROPEAN CONFERENCE

Luxembourg 21 November (MPA)

The 15 EU leaders made no decision in Luxembourg yesterday on Turkey’s participation in the European Conference. Nevertheless, prime minister Kostas Simitis expressed Greece’s intention to exercise its veto power in case of a decision in the next EU Summit meeting pertaining to Turkey’s participation in the European Conference.

In the dinner given in honor of the “15” EU leaders yesterday, Luxembourg’s prime minister, who presides over the European Council, had raised the issue of the European Conference and Turkey’s participation.

Later in the evening, the Greek prime minister stated in a press conference that Greece virtually exercised its veto power on Turkey’s participation even though in an informal meeting, such as the dinner of the EU leaders, there can be no talk of a veto.

Mr.Simitis stated that he said to the European Council president and the rest EU members that Greece does not agree with the participation of Turkey in the conference and requests certain pre-conditions for its participation. Those pre-conditions must secure Turkey’s cooperation with the EU countries namely, it will have to state that it respects International Law and the principles of peaceful cooperation.

Specifically, mr.Simitis said that for the European Conference to be held with Turkey’s participation there should be certain pre-conditions such as, the recognition of the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice in The Hague for the solution of differences between states. Moreover, countries participating in the EU accession process should be forbidden to have objections to the progress achieved in the EU accession course of another country, while the UN resolutions on Cyprus should be respected.

The Greek prime minister made it clear in the EU leaders’ dinner that there is no reason to hold the European Conference because it will have no reason, given the fact that the countries that will open accession negotiations will already by in direct contact with the European Union.

The decision on Turkey’s participation in the Permanent European Conference of the “15”, in which the countries that want to become EU members will also take part, will be possibly postponed until the December EU Summit meeting.

Meanwhile, the Greek-Turkish relations are expected to be discussed in the EU foreign ministers’ council meeting that will be held in Luxembourg on Monday. On the same day, it is likely to be held and the EU-Turkey Association Council meeting.

[02] THE GREEK DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER SPOKE TO MPA ON THE EU SUMMIT MEETING IN LUXEMBOURG

Thessaloniki 21 November (MPA)

Mr.Papandreou also characterized as a Greek success the decision for the opening of accession negotiations for all 11 candidate states, among them Romania and Bulgaria.

[03] TSOCHATZOPOULOS-PANGALOS MEETING

Athens 21 November (MPA)

The meeting is aimed at forming the Greek position, on the issue of the NATO headquarters, that will be adopted in the meeting of the alliance’s defense ministers and National Defense General Staff Chiefs that will be held in Brussels on December 2 and 3.

[04] ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD IN BOSNIA THIS WEEKEND

Sarajevo 21 November (MPA)

A group of OSCE specialists have threatened to penalize the Serb Democratic party of Bosnia, in view of the elections, if the posters of former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadjic are not removed from the streets.

[05] MERCHANT MARINE IS OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE FOR GREECE

New York 21 November (MPA)

He underlined that shipping is one of the most significant Greek industries that have a small cost for the state but bring great benefits to the country’s economy.

The minister stated that the government shows great interest in the sector and mentioned characteristically that the prime minister and himself will have interesting meetings in London next week with representatives of international companies and the Greek Shipping Cooperation Committee.

[06] CORDOVEZ’S CONTACTS IN CYPRUS

Nicosia 21 November (MPA)

Mr.Cordovez underlined his discontent over what he saw from the buffer zone and made clear that the first priority will be the restoration of a unified state.

The special adviser of the UN secretary-general met yesterday afternoon with Cypriot president Glafkos Clerides for a second time, while this morning was scheduled to meet in Nicosia with the Ambassadors of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. Mr.Cordovez will also visit Athens and Ankara.

[07] THE HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN TURKEY INCREASED DURING YILMAZ’S ADMINISTRATION

Ankara 21 November (MPA)

According to the report, during the previous month have been recorded 14 mystery murders, 5 executions after summary procedures, 16 murders and 37 injuries of citizens. Also, 472 people have been fired from their jobs, while 29 were tortured. Other 25 people working in the mass media were arrested and 3.687 people were held by police without formal accusations filed against them.

[08] THE VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN CYPRUS WERE PRESENTED IN THE UN

New York 21 November (MPA)

Turkey’s representative, from his part, justified the 1974 invasion of Cyprus saying that it was based on Turkey’s rights as a guarantor power.

Cypriot representative, mr.Korniliou responded to the Turkish “arguments”, stressing that the international community has condemned Turkey and reminded the UN resolutions as well as, the decision issued by the European Committee on Human Rights.

In his response, the Greek ambassador underlined that Turkey’s arguments do not convince anybody and that Turkey is the one condemned by the UN, adding that in spite of the tens of binding decisions on Cyprus Ankara continues to defy International Law.

[09] A COMMITTEE IS FORMED IN MELBOURNE FOR THE RETURN OF THE PARTHENON MARBLES

Melbourne 21 November (MPA)

Already, the prime minister of New South Wales, where the Olympic Games of 2000 will be held, has openly backed the return of the Parthenon Marbles and has written a letter on the issue addressed to British prime minister Tony Blair.

A statement in support of the return of the Parthenon Marbles was made by the prime minister of Victoria, who has also informed the state Parliament on the Greek government’s decision to inaugurate the Greek Archaeological Museum in Melbourne with the exhibition “Treasures of Nightingales”.

The whole effort is also being supported by former Australian prime minister Goff Whitlam, former prime minister of South Australia Don Dastan, South Australia Labor party leader Mike Rann, other political figures and leading academicians.

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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