From: miltos@nfl2.irc.nrc.ca Subject: News (in ENGLISH)- Tuesday, Nov.9,1993 (Greek Press Office BBS, Ottawa) Belgrade, 9/11/1993 (ANA - N. Georgiadis / K. Christodoulou): Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic is confident that Greece will make every effort to help towards the lifting of sanctions on rump Yugoslavia as soon as possible, after meeting with Greece's Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias yesterday. Mr. Milosevic termed Mr. Papoulias' visit to Belgrade "very important", adding that it illustrated Athens' interest in the Yugoslav crisis. The sanctions imposed on his country, Mr. Milosevic said, were a form of "genocide" on the Serb people by the international community. "Sanctions are an act which are increasingly losing any political, moral, economic and any other value. These sanctions harm the entire region and Greece and other bordering countries. Developments will show that Yugoslavia is right in insisting on the lifting of the sanctions which are groundless, contravene the principles of international relations and constitute an act harming the region's interests", Mr. Milosevic said. Mr. Papoulias said strong scepticism existed as to what was achieved by the sanctions and whether they contributed to the finding of a solution to the Bosnian issue. "Our country will make its decisions on how to intervene in the international community with the new factors being shaped or which will be shaped with the assumption of the European union's presidency at the beginning of 1994", Mr. Papoulias said. Responding to a question by a Greek reporter, Mr. Milosevic said the Greek government's issue is in harmony with the will of the Greek people. "It is clear that the Greek people offered and offer support and that the policy followed by the Greek side is for the good of its people's interests and is positioned against pressures exerted in Yugoslavia and is therefore if favour of lifting the sanctions", Mr. Milosevic said. Mr. Milosevic also said Kosovo was an exclusively internal matter for Serbia. "In no way will we accept an internationalisation of the issue and every effort at internalisation will be considered direct intervention in Serbia's domestic affairs", he said. Mr. Milosevic said no country would support or permit such an action, adding that on this issue, the Serbs enjoyed the understanding of their Greek friends. "I believe that Mr. Papoulias and the Greek government are very well informed on what is currently taking place in Yugoslavia", Mr. Milosevic said, adding that it would be invaluable for Yugoslavia if Greece were to convey the truth on Serbia's policy. In his statements Mr. Milosevic also referred to the possible dissolution of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) due to the Albanian-speaking minority's trend to break away. Mr. Milosevic said the issue of FYROM had been discussed with Mr. Papoulias, adding that there were developments going on in the republic. He said the Albanian-speaking people of the republic wanted the republic to change its constitutional structure and become a two-peoples' republic, namely of "Macedonians" and "Albanians". "Then nobody can rule out the possibility of the Albanian-speaking people demanding their secession. As things stand, it is possible that in a short while Greece may not know what to recognise in this republic", Mr. Milosevic said. Mr. Milosevic reiterated Belgrade's steadfast position that it will not recognise FYROM before the issue is resolved with Greece. Earlier, Mr. Papoulias conferred with Bosnian Serb Deputy Premier Nicola Koliesvic and Foreign Minister Alexa Buha at the Greek Embassy. Mr. Papoulias said Greece had every reason to endorse a limited optimism in the effort to effect the final decisive step to bring peace to the region. He stressed he had not gone to Belgrade to offer advice, but, instead to receive first-hand information and stress the Greek government's desire for co-operation with all the forces seeking peace. Mr. Koliesvic thanked Greece for its assurances of help in restoring peace, and acceptance by the international community for use of a corridor to channel humanitarian aid from Bar in Montenegro to Sarajevo. "Aid from Greece will be granted both as member of the European Union and next chair of the EC", Mr. Koliesvic said. Later, Mr. Papoulias met with Yugoslav Federal President Zoran Lilic and Premier Randoje Concic who gave him a bleak report on the impact of sanctions on rump Yugoslavia's social and economic daily existence. Mr. Concic said the federal government fully endorsed Greek foreign policy. Yugoslavia's admission to the international community should be reconsidered and lifting of sanctions carried out, even in stages, he said. "I don't know what aim sanctions serve", Mr. Papoulias said. "Their impact is definitely negative. The talks have offered Greece enough material which it will relay to Europe and its partners. Results of the initiative will show at the end of the itinerary when assessments will be made in Athens and specific initiatives elaborated. It is necessary to take quick steps to bring about peace". Mr. Papoulias also met with leaders of the Serbian opposition and with Serbian Patriarch's representative Bishop Irineos. Mr. Papoulias will visit Montenegro today after completing his working visit to Belgrade. He is due to meet the republic's political leadership in Podgorica. After a four-hour stopover in Montenegro, Mr. Papoulias will leave for Sarajevo, probably via Split. According to reports, he will be taken to Sarajevo by an UNPROFOR peacekeeping force helicopter for talks with the Bosnian Moslem leadership. Later in the day, Mr. Papoulias is due to leave for Zagreb for talks with Croatia's political leadership. Athens, 9/11/1993 (ANA): President of the Republic Constantine Karamanlis, yesterday received in succession the new ambassadors of Portugal, Carlos Simoes Cohelio, and the United States, Thomas Niles. The ceremony was attended by Foreign under-secretary George Papandreou and Secretary General to the Presidency of the Republic, Ambassador Petros Molyviatis. Athens, 9/11/1993 (ANA): National Defence Minister Gerasimos Arsenis yesterday received a courtesy visit from the Commander-in-Chief of NATO's Allied Forces Southern Wing, Admiral Jeremy Boorda. The admiral had previously been received by National Defence Under-secretary Nikos Kouris and the Chief of National Defence General Staff, General Dimitris Skarvelis. Brussels, 9/11/1993 (ANA - G. Daratos): The EC has told Greece it will consider a request by Cyprus president Glafcos Clerides to appoint an observer to the UN-sponsored talks for a Cyprus settlement. Community foreign ministers, currently meeting in Brussels, yesterday advised Alternate Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos they accepted his arguments in favour of appointing an observer at the talks, pledging they would consider the matter "with an open mind" at their next meeting scheduled for December. A written undertaking to that effect has been entered in the minutes of the meeting. UN Secretary General Boutros Boutros Ghali has written the council, endorsing President Clerides' request, which European Commission President Jacques Delors has already accepted. The Twelve's option not to finalise a decision at the current meeting was seen as reflecting a wish to avoid adding further friction to EC-Turkish relations. Turkey strongly opposes the proposal, and the Twelve were reported that endorsement of the Cypriot request might lead to a Turkish refusal to take part in a long-scheduled meeting of the EC-Turkey Association Council. On being advised of the decision, Mr. Pangalos declared the Greek government withdrew its reservations on an EC common stance on relations with Turkey, submitted to Turkish Foreign Minister Hikmet Cetin, who is heading a delegation to the talks. The alternate foreign minister added he was satisfied on the whole with the text drawn up by the foreign ministers' council. He pointed out, however, the text was not ideal, and would have been worded otherwise, had Greece been in charge of drawing it up. Mr. Pangalos said points stressed in the text expressly referred to the continuing absence of a peaceful, balanced and permanent settlement of the Cyprus question, which remained a matter of profound concern for the Council. It reiterated what had already been stated in relation to UN Security Council resolutions viewing the status quo in Cyprus as unacceptable. The time had come to settle the matter, the text said, and it included an appeal that Turkey use all its influence to contribute to achieving such a settlement. Materialising a customs union between the EC and Turkey by 1995 -- in light of the dimension attributed to it by the Community -- was seen as a qualitative step which should be part of an overall assessment on co-operation relating to the context of Association, the text said. Progress in relations on economy, trade and customs were not enough, and they would carry weight only if they were considered in conjunctions, with political progress in relations, the text cautioned. That in turn would define the prospect of dynamics that should lead the EC to make the appropriate decision leading to a fulfilment of customs union in 1995, the text went on. This was interpreted as clearly hinting customs union between the EC and Turkey would not be automatic, but hinged on the outcome of talks instead. At a dinner held after the meeting, Mr. Pangalos and his Community counterparts exchanged views with Mr. Cetin on the situation prevailing in former Yugoslavia. The Twelve also made special reference to what they termed "the disturbing situation prevailing in the south-eastern part of Turkey". They condemned "terrorist acts" by Kurds, stressing their wish "to promote and safeguard human rights principles which constitute the cornerstone of co-operation between the Community and third countries". Mr. Pangalos leaves Brussels for the Hague today. He will go on to Paris tomorrow and Rome Thursday, for further talks. Athens, 9/11/1993 (ANA): Archbishop Anastasios of Albania yesterday met with Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou whom he briefed on the situation of the Church in the neighbouring country. He also later called on main opposition New Democracy leader Miltiadis Evert. New Democracy deputies Vassilis Korahais, Antonis Foussas and Dimitris Avramopoulos were present at the meeting, which lasted about an hour. Mr. Avramopoulos said that discussion had focused on matters relating exclusively to the Orthodox church of Albania. The Greek ethnic minority in Albania had not been discussed, he added. The head of the Orthodox Church of Albania later conferred with Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras. Athens, 9/11/1993 (ANA): Andreas Christodoulides yesterday officially assumed his duties as general director of the Athens News Agency following a brief ceremony attended by Press and Information General Secretary Nikos Athanasakis. Underlining the success of Mr. Christodoulides' previous term as general director (1981-1987), Mr. Venizelos said that he was "the best possible choice" for the post. Mr. Venizelos also stressed the necessity of developing the Macedonian Press Agency which, he said, would operate "as an aid and parallel" to the ANA. Athens, 9/11/1993 (ANA): The government said yesterday that an official administrative inquiry had been ordered into the controversial issue of the collection of antiquities of former prime minister Constantine Mitsotakis. "Former premier Constantine Mitsotakis offered to donate his antiquities collection to the state. The Culture Ministry has received no such document or offer. Consequently, nothing has changed. An official administrative inquiry into the matter has been ordered" said government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos, in response to press questions. Asked whether a committee of inquiry would be set up to investigate the issue, the spokesman cited a recent statement by Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou, according to which the matter had been taken up by justice. Replying to other questions, Mr. Venizelos said that the official inquiry had been ordered to ascertain whether there was any liability on the part of state officials and whether the law had been implemented. According to a report yesterday in the mass circulation Athens daily "Ta Nea", the Mitsotakis collection will be examined by a committee of archaeologists from the Culture Ministry and the National Museum. The task of the committee, according to the newspaper, will be to ascertain the origin of the antiquities in the collection and the way in which they were acquired by Mr. Mitsotakis who, the paper said, holds a collector's permit for antiquities. According to "Ta Nea", the committee will also investigate possible links between certain items in the collection and the 258 ancient objects worth an estimated 2.5 billion drachmas which police discovered shortly before they were to be illegally exported to Germany. The antiquities were found in a truckload of grapes on September 4 at Rio near the port city of Patras. The alleged gang members whom police subsequently arrested implicated the-then deputy chief of the Greek police, Michalis Nistikakis, in the case. Mr. Nistikakis, who was head of Mr. Mitsotakis' personal security for two years, later submitted his resignation to Public Order Minister Stelios Papathemelis. He has since been charged with "forming a gang" and "misappropriation of antiquities". Athens, 9/11/1993 (ANA): Culture Minister Melina Mercouri has signalled her intention to UNESCO to intensify efforts for the return of the Elgin Marbles from the British Museum to Greece. Ms. Mercouri's decision was conveyed to the UNESCO general conference in Paris by the Greek delegation led by the head of the Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities department of the Culture Ministry, Yannis Tzedakis. The conference is expected to approve UNESCO's programme for the next two years which has the dual aim of promoting development and peace through culture. The ancient sculptures were removed from the Parthenon on the Athens Acropolis in 1806 by British Ambassador to Constantinople Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin, on the basis of a controversial Turkish firman. The estimated 253 pieces include the Parthenon frieze by Phidias, a Caryatid and a column from the Erechtheum. Athens, 9/11/1993 (ANA): Main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert yesterday met with the General Confederation of Workers of Greece's (GSEE) board at the GSEE offices. In statements afterwards, Mr. Evert said the trade union movement should be free of partisan interference, adding that New Democracy would make every possible effort in this direction which, he said, is one of the party's new radical positions. Consensus is required in all sectors of social life, he said, adding that New Democracy will contribute to this end and will not interfere in the trade union movement's work out of party interests. GSEE president Christos Protopappas expressed GSEE's satisfaction over the meeting with Mr. Evert, adding that all problems faced by the working classes were raised and the need was stressed for a stable dialogue between the trade union movement and political parties. Mr. Evert also met with the Federation of Greek Industries (SEB) board yesterday and said afterwards New Democracy will not "create opposition for the sake of opposition", adding that it will try to assist economic development. Any measure leading to economic development and modernisation, both technological and social, will be supported regardless of who proposes it, he said. Mr. Evert said his party will help the social dialogue under way, adding that economic development is not a purpose in itself but a means. SEB President Ion Stratos said SEB had assurances both from the government and the main opposition party that points requiring attention for problems in the economy to be overcome are more or less of joint acceptance. He stressed the need for inflation and deficits to be curbed which, he said, also depends on the state's appropriate organisation. Athens, 9/11/1993 (ANA): Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis said yesterday that he had asked the Hellenic Technical Chamber (TEE) to draft a proposal --which may be funded through the Delors II package-- on the drafting of a national property register. Mr. Laliotis said other ministry priorities included the linking of economic development with the preservation of the environment. The minister stated his basic goals as follows: - Implementation of ordinance and townplanning surveys and improvement of the urban environment. - Improvement of life and working conditions and fighting against pollution. - Raising awareness of environmental issues. - Implementation of international treaties and ratification of international conventions. - Co-operation with ecology and environment movements and movements fighting for a better quality of life.