From: zarros@turing.scs.carleton.ca (Theodoros Sp. Zarros) Subject: News (in ENGLISH)- Mon, 13 Dec 1993 (Greek Press Office BBS, Ottawa). Athens News Agency Bulletin, Dec. 13, 1993 Brussels, 13/12/93 (ANA - S. Liarellis - K. Verros) - Skopje survival hinges on Greece's support, not on (diplomatic) recognition (by other countries), Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou said in Brussels Saturday, calling on Skopje to abandon its intransigence stance on the issue. "This a clear message to Mr (Skopje President Kiro) Gligorov" Mr Papandreou said. "He feels that recognitions will enable him avoid it. But he will not", he added. Meanwhile, the government is waiting to see whether or not Greece's European partners would stick to the principles of Community solidarity and common foreign policy on the Skopje issue. European partner's intentions have been made obvious at contacts between Mr Papandreou and Alternate Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos in Brussels, on the side lines of the European Summit, as also in official statements. French President Francois Mitterrand has implied his country would proceed with establishing diplomatic relations with Skopje. Responding to questions on a statement by President Mitterrand's press spokesman that the other eleven EU countries would recognise Skopje, Alternate Foreign Minister Theodore Pangalos said he would request explanations from the French Ambassador on his return to Athens. Germany, Italy, Britain and Denmark have made it obvious they are moving in a similar direction. On the other hand, Spanish Prime Minister Felippe Gonzalez said the 12 should take the Greek position into serious consideration, prior to granting diplomatic recognition to Skopje. The Greek government remains steadfast in its positions, and Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou called on the Skopje government to abandon its intransigent stance. Mr Papandreou said GATT talks and his sudden sickness from food poisoning had prevented him from raising the issue at the official dinner on Friday evening. Under-secretary to the Prime Minister's Office Telemahos Hytiris said Mr Papandreou "suffered an attack of food poisoning and his doctor advised him not to attend the dinner". In Athens, opposition parties launched criticism on the government and Mr Papandreou personally on the way of handling the Skopje issue. New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert and Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras criticised Mr Papandreou and his government for not raising the Skopje issue at the EU Summit, and for "breaking away from the UN-sponsored talks". In reply to opposition criticism, government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said the government "has taken over the Skopje issue under difficult conditions, and its struggling to re-define it in a proper way". He also called upon the opposition parties to "contribute to the government's effort". Brussels, 13/12/93 (ANA - S. Liarellis - K. Verros) - Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou declared the EC Summit had been very significant, in Brussels, Saturday. "It is the first time that an EC summit has focused on such a political and and economic phenomenon as unemployment", the Prime Minister said. But it should have been addressed with greater boldness, Mr Papandreou added. "No doubt there were problems. Some have been solved, but other are still outstanding", Mr Papandreou said, emphasising Greece's success in "putting across" its stance on the four-day week issue. Washington, 13/12/93 (ANA - A. Podimata) - Foreign Under-secretary George Papandreou has expressed satisfaction on results of his visit to the United States, particularly on his talks with top Administration officials in Washington. Mr Papandreou also met with Vice-President Al Gore at the White House, and conferred with National Security Council Chairman Anthony Lake and Vice-Chairman Samuel Berger on co-operation in the Balkans. The object of Mr Papandreou's visit which ended yesterday, was "the strengthening of Greece's old and good relations with the United States, and preparing Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou's visit to the USA, and his meeting with U.S. President Bill Clinton. He added substantive talks were held on a range of subjects, and the American side "showed complete understanding for our positions". Points raised by Mr Papandreou included the Cyprus problem and upgrading its projection internationally, the Skopje issue, the Greek ethnic minority in Albania, the Bosnian crisis and the general situation prevailing in the Balkans, Greece's role and prospects of co-operation between Greece and the USA in the region. With regard to the Cyprus problem, the Under-secretary said the United States appreciated the gravity of the problem and agreed that "Turkey holds the key to its solution". Regarding Skopje, Mr Papandreou said "the USA does not intend to extend diplomatic recognition to Skopje at this stage". On the contrary, it is encouraging holding a dialogue, to help find a solution acceptable to both sides. "We outlined to them what premature recognition might entail, and that no peace or stability would exist in the region, unless Skopje established good relations with Greece" Mr Papandreou said. "For its part, the United States showed it appreciates Skopje's recognition would not solve any problem" he said. Mr Papandreou also reviewed in great detail, the role Greece would assume in the Balkans, including prospects of co-operation with the USA in the region, especially in the economic sector. He stressed the US responded in a positive manner, "and it is up to us now to avail ourselves of such a positive attitude by responding with deeds, not words, and assuming a pioneering role in the region". Washington,13/12/93 (ANA - D. Dimas) - The U.S. Pentagon welcomed "with great satisfaction' a message described as 'positive , in principle', to establish a NATO headquarters in Larissa". The message was conveyed to the Pentagon by Foreign Under-secretary George Papandreou, on behalf of National Defence Minister Gerasimos Arsenis, at a meeting with Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General John Shalikashvili and other US and Alliance officials. "We look forward to establishing even closer political and military co-operation with the new Greek government, in the context of NATO and on a bilateral basis, to deal with the region's serious problems, in light of prevailing conditions in Europe", a U.S. Administration source told the Athens News Agency correspondent yesterday, on the occasion of "such pleasant news". U.S. satisfaction was also reflected in a statement by U.S. Defence Under-secretary Frank Wissner on military planning. "Greece has direct and immediate national interests in the Balkans and, viewed in that context, we naturally expect Greece to assume a strong and positive role by helping restore stability in a badly partitioned region" the Under-secretary said. "I believe a new way is set for joint co-operation between Greece and the United States", he said, adding that "at a regional level, the U.S. concept increasingly tends towards maintaining balance instead of establishing local forces that would "monitor" each region. "This is to the advantage of south eastern Europe, where it is necessary to maintain a military balance between Greece and Turkey, despite the latter's desire to become "policeman of the region", the Under-secretary said.