From: tzarros@ccs.carleton.ca (Theodore Zarros) Date: Sat, 18 Jun 94 14:55:36 EDT To: macedonia@husc.harvard.edu Subject: News (in ENGLISH)- Sat, 18 Jun 1994 (Greek Press Office BBS, Ottawa). Athens News Agency Bulletin, EU tells Turkey Cyprus, human rights record obstacles to better relations. -------------------------------------------------------------- Ankara, (ANA/AFP/Reuter): The European Union told Turkey yesterday that the Cyprus problem and Ankara's human rights record were political obstacles to better relations with the EU. "We cannot neglect the existence of this difference (i.e. the Cyprus problem) which finds no solution and causes prejudice to our bilateral relations," EU Commissioner for External Affairs Hans van den Broek said during a joint press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Hikmet Cetin. The EU has repeatedly said that without a settlement of the 20 year Cyprus problem, Turkey could not become an EU member-state. Mr. Van den Broek arrived on Wednesday in Turkey for talks on Turkey's relations with the Union. PM, National Defence Minister meet before Washington talks ------------------------------------------------------------ Athens, 18/6/94 (ANA): Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou had a meeting yesterday with National Defence Minister Gerasimos Arsenis to discuss the latter's visit to the United States tomorrow to attend a Eurogroup meeting at which NATO defence and Pentagon officials will discuss Alliance issues. Mr. Arsenis will also have meetings with State Department and US Security Council officials during which he will raise Greek foreign policy issues including bilateral issues and Greek-Turkish relations. Asked by the press on whether or not the issue of Greece's national airspace would be raised at talks with US officials, Mr. Arsenis said that "all issues on which the Americans need to have a full briefing and understanding will be raised." A State Department spokesman told reporters on Wednesday in Washington that Greece claimed a 10-mile airspace around its Aegean island while the "general rule" accepted by most countries was that airspace should equate territorial waters. "Greece claims a six-mile territorial sea around its Aegean islands," spokesman Mike McCurry said. His comments sparked criticism by the Greek government which described them "inopportune meddling" and lodged a demarche with the State Department. Mr. Arsenis declined comment on Greek-American relations noting that "there are issues which need to be discussed between the two countries, and will come up again for discussion during the official visit of US National Defence Minister William Perry to Greece in July." He said "National Defence Ministry planning which has an impact on bilateral issues with the US will also be raised during his meetings with US officials." Gov't would welcome Washington clarification ------------------------------------------------ Athens, 18/6/94 (ANA): The Greek government yesterday said it would welcome clarification from Washington on a recent statement by a US State Department spokesman concerning Greece's national airspace in the Aegean. Government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said the government would accept clarification, "with satisfaction," following a demarche it lodged with the US government yesterday. A State Department spokesman told the press Wednesday in Washington that Greece claimed a 10-mile airspace around its Aegean islands while the "general rule" accepted by most countries was that airspace should equate territorial sea. "Greece claims a six-mile territorial sea around its Aegean islands," Spokesman Mike McCurry said. Mr. McCurry comments' sparked criticism by the Greek government which described them "inopportune meddling," and lodged demarches with US Ambassador to Athens Thomas Niles and through Greek Ambassador to Washington Lucas Tsilas. Mr. Venizelos expressed the view, however, that Mr. McCurry's statement that Greece claims a six-mile territorial sea around its islands in the Aegean basically concerned NATO exercises. Foreign Ministry denies "more relaxed" interception Washington report --------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 18/6/94 (ANA): The Foreign Ministry yesterday denied as "completely untrue" a report from Washington alleging it was putting forward the idea of a more "relaxed" interception of Turkish warplanes violating Greek airspace and removal of missiles from Greek interceptors at some point in the future. Foreign Ministry spokesman Costas Bikas said that the report ran counter to Greek interests, since it attempted to depict the National Defence Ministry and Foreign Ministry as having a conflict of opinion. Recalling a recent statement by Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias in Istanbul, Mr. Bikas stressed that "Greece's firm and unyielding position is that we are entitled to protect our national sovereignty and fully exercise our right of defence with all necessary means." Talks on defining continental shelf limits "not ruled out" - Venizelos ----------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 18/6/94 (ANA): Greece said yesterday it did not rule out the possibility of talks with neighbouring Turkey on defining the limits of the Aegean continental shelf. "In principle, the government does not rule out a meeting with the Turkish side," government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said, noting however that "what matters is not a meeting as such, but its subject-matter and eventual result instead ". Mr. Venizelos underlined that the subject-matter of such a meeting could not be "so-called Greek-Turkish differences, since the only difference lies in defining the limits of the continental shelf in the Aegean". The spokesman reiterated Greece's position that the International Court at The Hague was the only body competent to settle such a dispute . "All other issues," Mr. Venizelos added, "are either infringements or violations by Turkey, or unilateral Turkish claims". KKE not opposed to Greece-Turkey dialogue ----------------------------------------- Athens, 18/6/94 (ANA): Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary-General Aleka Paparriga said yesterday that communication between Greece and Turkey on recent problems is only natural. Ms. Paparriga, responding to a question on whether high-level talks between Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou and Turkish Premier Tansu Ciller would take place, said KKE is not against dialogue between Greece and Turkey. The KKE leader also discussed Parliament's indictment Wednesday of former premier Constantine Mitsotakis on phone-tapping charges. KKE deputies joined Antonis Samaras' Political Spring party deputies and ruling PASOK party deputies in voting for the indictment. Austria honours Pangalos for "tremendous contribution" to EU accession --------------------------------------------------------------- Vienna, (ANA/ D.Dimitrakoudis): European Affairs Minister Theodoros Pangalos arrived in Vienna late last night for talks with the Austrian leadership, centring mainly on the preparation of the European Union Summit on Corfu on June 24 and 25, where the agreements for entry of Austria and the three Scandinavian countries, Norway, Sweden and Finland will be signed. Last night, Mr Pangalos had a working dinner with Chancellor Franz Vranitzky. In a special ceremony this morning, and in the presence of the ambassadors of the 12 European Union member states, will award Mr Pangalos the highest honorary distinction of the Republic of Austria, the Grand Golden Medal of Honour with the Star, in recognition of his tremendous contribution to the procedure for Austrian accession to the EU. Before leaving for Athens at noon, Mr Pangalos will have wide ranging discussions with Austrian Foreign Minister Alois Mock. In a recent statement to ANA, Chancellor Vranitzky stated that "Greece has played a very positive role, not only in the official context of the Presidency, but also in terms of very good contacts". He also praised Mr Pangalos, who had main responsibility in the conduct of negotiations. With his visit to Vienna, the Alternate Foreign Minister concludes his "round of capitals" in preparation for the Corfu Summit. PM congratulates Austrian chancellor on EU accession vote ---------------------------------------------------------- Vienna, (ANA-D.Dimitrakoudis): Premier Andreas Papandreou sent a message of congratulations to Austrian Chancellor Franz Vranitzky on the positive result of last Sunday's referendum on Austria's accession to the European Union. In last Sunday's referendum, Austrians gave a 66.4% "yes" vote to accession to the EU as of 1.1.1995. Accession will become formal at the signing of the Accession Act at the Corfu summit on June 24. Senate Credits C'ttee maintains 7 to 10 ratio --------------------------------------------- Washington, (ANA/ D.Dimas): After the House of Representatives, the Credits Committee of the Senate has proposed maintenance of the "seven-to-ten" ratio for military credits to Greece and Turkey in the new financial year beginning October 1, 1995. Following successive meetings of the Foreign Credits Subcommittee and of the plenum of the powerful Senate Credits Committee, it was proposed to grant 255.15 million dollars to Greece and 364.5 million dollars to Turkey, thus maintaining the traditional ratio between the two countries. A proposed amendment refers to the desirability of "a solution to the issues pending between the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and Greece. The committee believes that constant stability of FYROM is of the highest importance to the United States and countries neighbouring FYROM." Regarding Cyprus, the Committee is "dissatisfied" with lack of progress, expressing "special concern" for the fact that "Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash has refused to agree to UN proposals on confidence building measures." For Cyprus, the committee proposes 15 million dollars worth of economic aid. French C'ttee decision "inaccurate assessment of facts" --------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 18/6/94 (ANA): The government yesterday attributed a proposal by the External Affairs Committee of the French National Assembly to suspend ratification of Greece's accession to the Western European Union (WEU) to "an inaccurate assessment of facts". Government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos declared he hoped the National Assembly plenary would ratify the protocol for Greece's accession to the defence group. "If the External Affairs Committee of the French National Assembly had all facts at its disposal -- namely, UN Secretary General Boutros Boutros- Ghali's report on the Skopje issue, the stage reached by UN mediator Cyrus Vance's mediating efforts, positions set out by the Greek side and others -- it would not have made such a proposal," Mr. Venizelos said. The spokesman attributed the proposal to "an inaccurate assessment of facts," citing the case of a corresponding committee of the Federal German Parliament which subsequently altered its assessment. The External Affairs Committee of the French Assembly on Thursday voted in favour of postponing a Protocol on Greek accession to the WEF, due to "its behaviour toward 'Macedonia'." According to a Committee statement, "ratification is not urgent and the French Assembly ought to await updating of the French government on an impending ruling by the European Court regarding the Greek embargo against 'Macedonia'." The assembly plenum will decide on a postponement proposal at its June 20 session. Israeli high tech security equipment likely order -------------------------------------------------- Athens, 18/6/94 (ANA): Public Order Minister Stelios Papathemelis declared yesterday Greece is considering purchase of high technology equipment for the Greek police from Israel and the signing of a bilateral agreement on the exchange of important information on organised crime, terrorism, drug trafficking and other matters. Greece is especially interested in night surveillance equipment used in the guarding of Israel's borders. Mr Papathemelis added that an Israeli team of experts in the use of high technology equipment is due in Greece before the Corfu Summit, and the equipment will be used during the Summit for the Greek police to test its efficiency. Asked if Greek authorities expect developments on the issue of terrorism, Mr Papathemelis merely replied " we will see in time". Bushes hosted by former PM -------------------------- Athens, 18/6/94 (ANA): The United States should not make it their purpose to intervene in differences between countries by taking sides, but rather offer assistance to settle such differences, former US President George Bush told reporters in Chania, Crete yesterday. Mr. Bush's statement came as a reply to a press question requesting comment on US President Bill Clinton's foreign policies. Mr. Bush and his wife Barbara visited Chania yesterday as guests of former Greek Prime Minister Constantine Mitsotakis. The former US President told reporters he had appreciation for both Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou and Mr. Mitsotakis. Asked to comment on the Cyprus and Skopje issues, Mr. Bush expressed optimism they would soon be solved. Mr. Bush left Crete yesterday continuing his Aegean cruise aboard shipping tycoon John Latsis' private yacht. Korea pays tribute to fallen Greeks in Korean War --------------------------------------------------- Athens, 18/6/94 (ANA): The Korean Embassy in Athens will hold a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on June 21, at 11:30 a.m., on the occasion of the 44th anniversary of the Korean War. The ceremony will be held to pay tribute to and commemorate "the noble spirit of the Greek heroes who gave their lives" in the Korean War. "On behalf of the Korean government and people, the Korean Ambassador in Athens expresses gratitude to the Hellenic Republic and its most friendly people on this special day," an Embassy press release said. Papantoniou chairs broad meeting on drachma, rates -------------------------------------------------- Athens, 18/6/94 (ANA): National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou yesterday chaired a meeting on developments concerning the drachma and interest rates. Participants included Finance Minister Alecos Papadopoulos, Finance Under-secretary Dimitris Georgakopoulos, Finance Under-secretary Nikos Kyriazidis, Governor of the Bank of Greece Yiannis Boutos, Governor of the National Bank Mr. G. Mirkos, Governor of the Commercial Bank Mr. P. Poulis, Governor of the Ionian Bank Mr. P. Korliras and Under-secretary to the Prime Minister's Office Antonis Livanis. Asked whether or not additional taxes will be imposed this year as requested by the European Union, Finance Minister Alexander Papadopoulos replied "certainly not." Mr. Boutos told questioners pressures on the drachma had weakened, adding that if they reappeared they would be met with all available means. He said the course of interest rates concerned the market and assessments by banks which follow independent policies. What matters is that loans and deposits interest rates should remain stable, Mr. Boutos noted. Hellenic Shipyards partial privatisation starting early July ------------------------------------------------------------ Athens, 18/6/94 (ANA): Privatisation of 49 per cent of Hellenic Shipyards S.A. at Skaramanga will commence in early July, Industry Under-secretary Christos Pachtas announced Thursday. The process would be set under way pursuant to a Greek commitment to the European Union which had set March 31, 1993 as the deadline for partial privatisation of the shipyard, he added. Mr. Pachtas gave an assurance all relevant steps would be marked by complete transparency. He pointed out a call for tenders would be issued inviting investors to participate in a viable operational scheme for the shipyard. The Under-secretary did not specify whether or not the buyer of the 49 per cent minority share package would also participate in the management of the shipyard.