From: tzarros@ccs.carleton.ca (Theodore Zarros) Subject: News (in ENGLISH)- Sat, 29 Oct 1994 (Greek Press Office BBS, Ottawa). Athens News Agency Bulletin, October 29, 1994 --------------------------------------------- * Arsenis cautions: Greece set to defend sovereign rights, borders * Ochi Day: President calls on nation to take stock, stand united * Prime Minister * Papoulias reiterates Greece's inalienable right to extend waters * Karamanlis: Good relations with Turkey possible * PM stresses need for mutual confidence in message to Ciller * UN: Greece protests Albanian violation of religious rights * FYROM situation casts shadow over hopes to resume dialogue with Greece * Greece to maintain "total reservations" on closer EU links with Turkey * Kranidiotis discusses Cyprus admission with Commissioners * EU Troika talks with Lebanese leaders * Acropolis, other sites open as strikers defer action * America Orthodox Archbishop appeals for aid to flood victims Arsenis cautions: Greece set to defend sovereign rights, borders ----------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 29/10/94 (ANA): National Defence Minister Gerassimos Arsenis yesterday reiterated Greece's determination "to defend its sovereign rights and borders", in an Order of the Day marking the 54th anniversary of Greece's rejection of the fascist ultimatum in World War II. Mr. Arsenis' warning was beamed "in all directions". Political and military circles were quoted as saying the warning was aimed mainly at Turkey, in the wake of war-threats by Ankara in the event Greece made use of its legal right to extend territorial waters to 12 miles in the Aegean, under a recent international convention on the sea which comes into effect November 16. Mr Arsenis, who took the salute at an impressive military parade in Thessaloniki, added that the integrated defence doctrine, including Greece's northern borders, the Aegean and Cyprus, was now operational and served a deterrent against any threat. "In order to meet such challenges", he added, "we need, more than ever, modern armed forces, with a high degree of readiness, a thorough training, and a sense of duty". Premier Andreas Papandreou attended a special service at the Athens Metropolitan Cathedral, together with Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis, members of the Cabinet, and other political figures. The Premier said afterwards: "It is a day of national pride. Greece both recalls, and has the ability to survive in today's stormy times". Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias attended celebrations in the north-western city of Ioannina, close to the theatre of operations 54 years ago. In a statement after the parade, Mr. Papoulias referred to unity and resoluteness displayed by the Greek people on national issues, and Greece's "friends" who, as he said, "have forgotten its contribution, 54 years ago, to the fight against fascism and for human rights". The Foreign Minister reiterated the Greek government's firm stand against Turkish provocations on the issue of the lawful extension of territorial waters in the Aegean, adding hope Albania would come to realise its errors over relations with Greece. Ochi Day: President calls on nation to take stock, stand united --------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 29/10/94 (ANA): Political leaders Thursday issued messages to mark yesterday's 54th anniversary of "Ochi (No) Day", on which Greece rejected the fascist ultimatum in World War II. President Constantine Karamanlis said Greece's epic resistance was an historic landmark in the course of the nation, in that it renewed confidence at that critical hour, in both its future and potential. Celebrations would be meaningless, he cautioned, unless they served both as an example for the future, and a reminder of what the nation could achieve when inspired by its history and, above all, it stood united. "We should not forget that the entire world has entered a long and dangerous era of instability and insecurity. The Balkans, in particular, are currently the scene of political and strategic realignments of dangerous proportions, combined with the revival of old nationalist passions and the rekindling of minority problems, which often conceal territorial claims", he said. The nation should, therefore, "take stock, examine the new international conjuncture with a sense of realism and responsibility, elaborate a uniform, long-term national strategy, avoid action which might lead it to international isolation, and consolidate support among its partners and allies," the President noted. "It is the only way to enhance the nation's stature, and ensure its voice is listened to with respect. Only then will our crucial national issues be led to a just solution," Mr. Karamanlis concluded. Prime Minister --------------- Athens, 29/10/94 (ANA): Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou said Greece was beaming, in all directions, "a sincere desire to secure peace, develop relations of friendship and co-operation with all its neighbours, and contribute to the solution of problems to achieve stability, security, and prosperity among all Balkan peoples". "At the same time," he added, "we declare our unshakeable determination to safeguard our sovereignty, and defend our national rights, standing always ready to parry any threat". Opposition leader and New Democracy party President Miltiades Evert said that the citizen today should condemn unreliability in public life, populism, and injustice. "At a time when the nation is isolated and surrounded by many external dangers, unity is more essential than ever before," Mr. Evert noted. Dangers, however, do not lie on our frontier only. They also exist, unfortunately, within society, which shows symptoms of exhaustion and disintegration," he cautioned. Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras said Greece should meet the challenge of the times, economic and social difficulties, and instability in the Balkan area, with a sense of national resoluteness, while displaying strategic impetus at all-decision making centres. The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) said " Greece finds itself under a new occupation which binds it, through an intricate web, to the trajectory of imperialist interests and the European Union. KKE also called for "direct dialogue and negotiations with the governments of neighbouring countries, wherever there may be problems". The Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) pointed to the existence of dangers arising out of reviving nationalism and a policy of 'divide and rule' in the Balkans, which call for peoples to rally for peace and collective security, based on inviolability of borders and full respect for human and minority rights". Papoulias reiterates Greece's inalienable right to extend waters ---------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 29/10/94 (ANA): Greece reiterated Thursday it has an inalienable right to extend its territorial waters from six to twelve miles, and the climate being created by Turkey over the issue is not consistent with what "has been agreed". "The Greek position is quite clear and I shall reiterate it. The twelve-mile limit is an inalienable right of the Greek government. The question of when it will exercise it is another matter. It is a matter to be decided on by the government, and nobody can either limit or remove it," Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias told reporters in Ioannina, Northern Greece. Mr. Papoulias said he met with his Turkish counterpart Mumtaz Soysal Wednesday (in Jordan for the signing of the Jordan-Israeli peace pact), and had the opportunity to stress to him that "the climate being stirred by various statements in Turkey is not along the lines agreed on." Referring to the possibility of Greece's extending its territorial waters to twelve miles, Mr. Soysal said earlier this week: "we don't seek a reckoning. We know who would win should there be one. We can whip Greece." Commenting on a statement by Mr. Soysal on the Kurdish problem and human rights issues, Mr. Papoulias said "there is great concern within Turkey, there is a political facet under influence of the military to whom Turkish political leadership gives in. I believe that the 12-mile issue is orchestrated by military circles...". Karamanlis: Good relations with Turkey possible ------------------------------------------------ Athens, 29/10/94 (ANA): Meanwhile, President Constantine Karamanlis said yesterday relations between Greece and Turkey could and should develop smoothly and creatively, to the benefit of both peoples, promoting stability and peaceful co-operation in the region as a whole. In a message of congratulations to Turkish President Suleyman Demirel on the occasion of Turkey's national holiday today, President Karamanlis said: "On the occasion of Turkey's national holiday, I wish to extend warm congratulations and sincere wishes for your personal happiness as well as the progress and welfare of the Turkish people. "I sincerely believe, Mr. President, that relations between our two countries could and should develop smoothly and creatively, to the benefit of both our peoples, as well as stability and peaceful co-operation in our region as a whole." PM stresses need for mutual confidence in message to Ciller ----------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 29/10/94 (ANA): In a similar message to Turkish Prime Minister Tansu Ciller, Premier Andreas Papandreou said that increasing efforts to consolidate peace and stability in the region, and securing a mutual climate of confidence was a substantive contribution to a fruitful development in relations between the peoples of Greece and Turkey. The full text of Mr. Papandreou's message said: "On the occasion of Turkey's national anniversary, I extend to you warm congratulations and sincere wishes on behalf of the Greek government and myself, for progress and prosperity of the Turkish people. "I avail myself of the opportunity, to express to your my conviction that increasing efforts to consolidate peace and stability in our region, as well as securing a climate of mutual confidence constitute a substantive contribution to a fruitful development in relations between our two peoples." A similar message was sent by Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias to his Turkish counterpart Mumtaz Soysal. UN: Greece protests Albanian violation of religious rights ----------------------------------------------------------- United Nations, 29/10/94 (ANA/M. Georgiadou): The Greek government yesterday denounced Albania to the UN for flagrantly violating human rights and, in particular, religious freedom safeguarded by international law and the UN Charter. Greece's permanent representative at the UN Christos Zaharakis lodged a strong protest with Assistant Secretary-General Rosario Greene, stressing that the removal of Archbishop Anastasios, engineered through Article 7 in the Albanian Constitution, was not a Greek-Albanian difference of bilateral nature, but an internationally unacceptable act tantamount to systematic persecution of a religious community, Albania's Christian Orthodox community. Ambassador Zaharakis indicated that, with a looming intention to proceed not only with adoption but also implementation of the controversial article, the (Albanian President Sali) Berisha regime displays absolute contempt for the basic rights of Orthodox Christians. Meanwhile, referring to relevant protests lodged with international fora by the World Council of Churches, the Vatican, the Archdiocese of North and South America and many religious organisations, diplomatic sources at the UN pointed out that Paragraph 4 of Article 7 in the proposed Albanian Constitution requiring that "the leaders of large religious communities should be Albanian citizens, have been born in Albania and lived permanently in the country over the past 20 years" in essence reflected the ouster of Archbishop Anastasios. FYROM situation casts shadow over hopes to resume dialogue with Greece ---------------------------------------------------------------- United Nations, 29/10/94 (ANA/M. Georgiadou): Diplomatic sources at the UN opined separate negotiations between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) under UN sponsorship would not resume before the second fortnight in November, owing to the special political situation still prevailing in FYROM. The possibility of holding even a third round of elections in FYROM was not excluded, owing to a complex electoral system, the sources said, adding the US felt concern at the opposition's decision to abstain from the second round. Greece to maintain "total reservations" on closer EU links with Turkey --------------------------------------------------------------- Brussels, 29/10/94 (ANA/V. Demiris, F. Stangos): The European Union General Affairs Council is meeting in Luxembourg on Monday, with discussion centring on the Union's relations with the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. The 12 foreign ministers will also examine, on the basis of a Commission report, preparations for the EU-Turkey Association Council, scheduled for December 19. Foreign Under-Secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis, who is representing Greece at the Monday meeting, said after contacts with Commission officials, that he intends to reiterate Greece's "total reservations" regarding the forging of closer links between the Union and Turkey. He reiterated the prerequisites specified by Greece, at the technical, economic and political levels. Besides the permanent Greek position, regarding the direct linking of any form of Union financial assistance to Turkey with progress in the Cyprus issue and respect for human rights inside Turkey, Mr Kranidiotis said he would also raise the issue of Greek citizens missing since the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974, and that of war threats by Turkish Foreign Minister M0mtaz Soysal, in case Greece exercises its lawful right to extend territorial waters in the Aegean to 12 miles. Regarding the strengthening of relations with Central and Eastern European countries, Mr Kranidiotis explained that the Greek position was that they should not take place at the expense of the process of gradual integration of Cyprus and Malta, which he said ought to have priority. He added he was looking forward to a speeding up of this process at the Essen summit in December. Kranidiotis discusses Cyprus admission with Commissioners --------------------------------------------------------- Brussels, 29/10/94 (ANA/M.Savva): Foreign Under-Secretary in charge of European affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis yesterday discussed Cyprus' bid for European Union accession with External Affairs Commissioner Hans van den Broek and Trade Commissioner Sir Leon Brittan. The two officials also discussed relations between the EU and Turkey. Mr. Kranidiotis explained Greece's position and called on Mr. Van den Broek to secure the Commission's support for boosting the process of Cyprus' and Malta's accession to the EU. "We expect further manifestation of the Community's present stance at the Essen summit, and hope a further step will be secured in the direction of a timetable having an expiry date, which will be adopted when Cyprus' accession bid is reconsidered in the next six months," Mr. Kranidiotis told reporters. EU Troika talks with Lebanese leaders ------------------------------------- Brussels, 29/10/94 (ANA): Foreign Under-Secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis participated Thursday in talks between the European Union Troika (Greece, Germany and France) and Lebanese leaders, on prospects of Lebanon's participating in bilateral and multilateral peace efforts in the region, and the role played by various powers in the region in determining Lebanon's political and economic future. Troika officials met with the Vice President of Parliament Mr. Ferzli, Foreign Minister Mr. Bueiz and President Hrawi, successively. The possibility of raising EU contribution to the reconstruction and development of the Lebanon was also discussed. Acropolis, other sites open as strikers defer action ---------------------------------------------------- Athens, 29/10/94 (ANA): All archaeological sites throughout the country, including the Acropolis, Sounion in southern Attica and Knossos in Crete, opened yesterday to the public, after the striking guards decided to suspend action until Monday. The 5,500-member Confederation of Culture Ministry employees shut down the sites early October to press for reinstatement of dismissed guards and an outstanding pay claim. On Thursday, an Athens court declared the strike illegal, after Ministers of Culture, Finance and Labour filed a suit against the union, because the guards had shut down the sites without ensuring a minimum caretaker staff. On Monday, the union will decide whether it should take further action , at an emergency general assembly. America Orthodox Archbishop appeals for aid to flood victims ------------------------------------------------------------ Athens, 29/10/94 (ANA): In a circular to all Orthodox communities of North and South America, Archbishop Iakovos has appealed for financial support to victims of the recent flood disaster in Greece. Cheques may be made out to the 'Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, Greek Flood Victims', 8 East 79th Street, New York NY 10021.