Subject: Athens News Agency Bulletin, February 8, 1995 Topic: ana --------------------------------------------- (Apo to Ellnviko Grafeio Tupou kai Plnroforiwv, Ottawa, Canada E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca) * Karamanlis replies to Demirel: Moslem, Orthodox minorities could be bridge to better relations between Turkey, Greece * Greece reserved over EU-Turkey customs union deal, final text 'deviates' from previous Kranidiotis-Juppe formula, Gov't says * Venizelos reiterates: parliament able to -- and must -- elect new president * Greece, Moldavia sign agreement * Niotis meets Iakovos in US * Note from the French Presidency * Decision expected today in Tirana on ethnic Greek four appeal Karamanlis replies to Demirel: Moslem, Orthodox minorities could be bridge to better relations between Turkey, Greece ---------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 08/02/1995 (ANA) President Constantine Karamanlis told his Turkish counterpart Suleyman Demirel that both the Moslem minority in Greece and the Greek Orthodox minority in Turkey could help create a climate of confidence in relations between the two countries, it was announced yesterday. In a letter to Mr. Demirel sent on Monday, Mr. Karamanlis said that the two minorities "can help in the creation of a climate of confidence in bilateral relations provided that their members respect and observe the laws of the (respective) state". Mr. Karamanlis was replying to a letter by Mr. Demirel in late January calling on him to intercede for the release of a Moslem cleric recently jailed in Greece. Mehmet Emin Aga was recently jailed for 10 months after refusing to appeal or pay off his sentence after being convicted of unlawfully appropriating the title of Mufti (a Moslem religious leader) for the north-eastern Greek region of Xanthi. A Presidency announcement quoted Mr. Karamanlis as writing in his letter that "the Greek government will, in a spirit of good will, examine the points raised by the Turkish President within the framework of Greek legislation". Mr. Karamanlis told Mr. Demirel that the two countries "ought to work for the creation of a climate of mutual understanding and confidence, from within which the problems between the two countries will be faced in a constructive manner". "But in order to achieve this," Mr. Karamanlis went on, "the creation of new problems should be avoided". Mr. Karamanlis concluded his letter by saying "the Moslem minority in Greece and the Greek Orthodox minority in Turkey could help in achieving this important objective and lead the two countries to a lasting and sincere friendship, on condition that their members respect and observe the laws of the State". Greece reserved over EU-Turkey customs union deal, final text 'deviates' from previous Kranidiotis-Juppe formula, Gov't says -------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 08/02/1995 (ANA) Greece expressed reservations yesterday over a possible deal opening the way for a customs union between the European Union and Turkey, saying it would retain its right to veto the customs union if the "formula" agreed at Monday's meeting of EU foreign ministers was found to be unsatisfactory. Government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said that Monday's decision contained "deviations" from the formula worked out by former foreign Under-Secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis and French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe, which he described as "a balanced package of measures". The proposal set out by Mr. Kranidiotis and Mr. Juppe, the spokesman continued, had resulted from "persistent" talks, despite the fact that the procedure had begun with the worst prospects for Greece. Mr. Venizelos underlined that Athens had not yet accepted the formula adopted at Monday's meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels. "Greece will not accept the solution proposed by the Council of Ministers if, after thorough examination, it is revealed that it does not contain the elements of the Kranidiotis-Juppe formula," the spokesman said. EU foreign ministers agreed in principle on Monday to go ahead with a customs union with Turkey in return for setting a date to start talks with Cyprus to join the EU. "Accession negotiations can begin on the basis of Commission proposals six months after the conclusion of the 1996 (intergovernmental) conference, taking account of the results of the conference," the ministers agreed at the meeting. The Council also said it intended "to adopt concrete proposals for a specific strategy in preparation for accession, including a structured dialogue in time for the next meeting of the Association Council with Cyprus." Mr. Venizelos also stressed that any agreement on the EU-Turkey customs union would be unconnected with the Fourth Financial Protocol of EU aid to Turkey which Athens has consistently blocked, linking its stance to progress towards a settlement of the Cyprus problem. The Fourth Financial Protocol, worth some $720 million, has been vetoed since 1981. In the solution proposed by the Council of Ministers, Mr. Venizelos added, there is an appendix concerning financial aid for Turkey "which is also being examined by the Greek side, in relation to financial assistance for the (Greek) textile industry which is expected to be hit by the corresponding Turkish products". Stressing that Monday's agreement contained deviations from the formula he had worked out with Mr. Juppe, Mr. Kranidiotis said the Council failed to provide "a concrete commitment for the commencement of accession procedures for Cyprus, put off the structured dialogue for a later date, did not provide a scheme for the textiles industry, and did not keep unconnected (to the formula) the issue of the financial protocols (of aid to Turkey)." Meanwhile, Mr. Kranidiotis' successor, Greek Alternate Foreign Minister George Alexander Mangakis said Monday's principle "opened the way for a Cyprus EU accession," attributing negative reactions to "a lack of information." Admitting that the French Presidency deviated in certain points from the Kranidiotis-Juppe formula, Mr. Mangakis said "an important step has been made regarding negotiations for a Cyprus accession." He further said the decision ruled out attempts on behalf of Turkey to participate in any way in the accession procedures. Government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos later said an assessment of Monday's decision would take place at a meeting under the chairmanship of the prime minister, after Mr. Mangakis' return from Brussels. Main opposition New Democracy party deputy leader Ioannis Varvitsiotis called on the government to clarify the situation while the Political Spring party expressed strong opposition to the solution proposed by the Council of Ministers, calling on the government to reject it as "unacceptable and compromising". At a meeting last night with Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias, Political Spring leader Antonis Samaras called on the government to veto the principle. He later told reporters that Mr. Papoulias had assured him that if there was a problem there was still time to fix it. Cyprus, however, welcomed the deal to start negotiations on its entry into the EU as a catalyst to a settlement on the divided island. Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides, quoted by the Cyprus News Agency, said: "On this occasion I would like to reiterate our readiness to intensify our efforts to settle the Cyprus problem." The EU has previously insisted on a solution to the island's division before allowing Cyprus to join the Union. Turkish Foreign Minister Murat Karayalcin said, however, that the EU's decision would "block all prospects for a settlement of the dispute over Cyprus." Meanwhile, in Brussels, European Commission Vice President Sir Leo Brittan said Monday's decision was "a major breakthrough for Cyprus" adding that "it would be a mistake if the Greek cabinet overturned this decision." EU Commissioner Hans van den Broek said the French Presidency's "package" was the "only possible solution" and a first step towards creating the atmosphere for progress. In Paris, a French Foreign Ministry spokesman said the EU-Turkey customs union agreement would be concluded on March 6. He said a general framework has been reached including co-operation and political dialogue, economic co-operation and the protection of human rights. On the setting of a date for the commencement of Cyprus' accession procedures, the spokesman said "negotiations could begin after the conclusion of the '96 conference." Venizelos reiterates: parliament able to -- and must -- elect new president ------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 08/02/1995 (ANA) Government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said yesterday the present Parliament could and must elect a President of the Republic, adding that there was nothing new to say on whether the government intended to speed up processes in this direction. According to reports, the ruling socialist PASOK party's Executive Committee is expected to convene under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou next week; that meeting will be followed by a Central Committee meeting when a final decision will be taken. The reports said that at Monday's Executive Committee meeting, at which Mr. Papandreou was not present, it was agreed that proposals by members as well as those by Central Committee and Parliamentary Group members should be sent to the prime minister by today. Replying to questioners on whether the existing electoral law would be implemented in the event the country was led to elections, Mr. Venizelos said the question of the electoral law being amended had not been raised. Mr. Venizelos reiterated that elections did not constitute a problem for PASOK but for the people, adding that whoever so wished could assume responsibility for leading the country to early elections. Greece, Moldavia sign agreement ------------------------------- Athens, 08/02/1995 (ANA) Greece and Moldavia yesterday signed an agreement which will make it easier for Moldavian cadets to study at Greek military academies following talks between National Defence Ministry officials and Moldavian Defence Under-Secretary Tudor Dabija. The agreement was signed for the Greek side by National Defence Under-Secretary Nikos Kouris. Niotis meets Iakovos in US -------------------------- New York, 08/02/1995 (ANA) Visiting Foreign Under-Secretary for Overseas Greeks Grigoris Niotis held talks with Archbishop of North and South America Iakovos in New York on Monday. Welcoming Mr. Niotis, Archbishop Iakovos praised Greece's attempts aimed at bringing all expatriate Greeks closer to it. Thanking the Archbishop, Mr. Niotis underlined the cultural content of the Atlanta Olympiad, adding that the city, together with Athens and Olympia, symbolised the unity of the US with Greece. Mr. Niotis added that the Church, the Archbishop and expatriate cultural agencies could again play a paramount role through this mobilisation. Note from the French Presidency ------------------------------- Athens, 08/02/1995 (ANA) Conclusions on the reconsideration of Cyprus' application for membership in the European Union and on Euro-Turkish relations reached after a meeting held by the General Affairs Council on Monday are as follows: It reaffirmed the suitability of Cyprus for accession to the European Union and confirmed the EU's will to incorporate Cyprus in the next stage of enlargement. It regretted the lack of progress in the intercommunal talks taking place under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General and called upon all parties to step up their efforts to achieve a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus question in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions, based on the concept of a bi-communal and bi-zonal federation. It considers that the developments noted in the last few months have enabled elements which could be useful for defining an agreement to be identified. It considers that Cyprus' accession to the EU should bring increased security and prosperity to both communities on the island. In particular it should allow the North to catch up economically and should improve the outlook for growth and employment, particularly for the Turkish-Cypriot community. The Council considers that this community must perceive the advantages of EU accession more clearly and its concern at the prospect must be allayed. The Council calls upon the Commission to organise the requisite contacts to this end with the Turkish-Cypriot community, in consultation with the Government of Cyprus. Under these circumstances, the Council considers that accession negotiations can begin on the basis of Commission proposals six months after the conclusion of the 1996 Intergovernmental Conference, taking into account the results of the Conference. Cyprus accession should benefit all communities and help to bring about civil peace and reconciliation. It calls upon the Commission to continue its work of familiarising the Cyprus administration with the acquis communautaire, which it began a year ago. It intends adopting concrete proposals for a specific strategy in preparation for accession, including a structured dialogue, in time for the next meeting of the Association Council with Cyprus. It confirms that the EU intends to continue to support with all means at its disposal the United Nations' efforts to achieve a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus question. Referring to Turkey the Council records its political agreement to the common position of the European Union on the decision on customs union with Turkey as reached by COREPER, and instructed the Commission to conclude the negotiations with the Turkish authorities on this basis, also recorded its agreement to the resolution on Euro-Turkish co-operation and the declaration on financial co-operation. Also reiterating that observance of a state of law and basic liberties underlie the rapprochement of Turkey to the EU and wishes to see rapid implementation of the plans for the exercise of public freedoms put forward by the Turkish Prime Minister today. Decision expected today in Tirana on ethnic Greek four appeal ------------------------------------------------------------- Tirana, 08/02/1995 (ANA - M. Vichou) An Albanian court of appeals is to decide today on an appeal filed by four ethnic Greeks imprisoned on charges of espionage. According to Albanian legislation, the court is entitled to examine both substantive and procedural issues. This means it can rule on whether the appropriate process was applied during the initial trial and whether charges filed against the defendants w ere tenable. It is up to the court's discretion to uphold convictions imposed, acquit the defendants, reduce sentences, order a retrial due to procedural errors or release them on probation. Political observers in Tirana believe the most probable verdicts will either be a release of the defendants on probation or a retrial. In the second case only the political aspect of charges will be judged, meaning "co-operation with Greek intelligence" and not the charge of illegal possession of weapons which will still hold. In the first case, the court can release the four for a period of time it will set on condition they do not perpetrate any offence. However, charges will not be dropped. Zhef Brozy, the head of the court, will be a dominant figure at the trial. Two months ago he had acquitted a Greek businessman charged with cultivating hashish in Albania. Mr. Brozy was criticised for this in Albania and the lifting of his immunity was requested in Parliament. However, a secret ballot did not lead to the lifting of Mr. Brozy's immunity after seven deputies of the ruling Democratic Party voted against the motion. Press circles in Tirana claim that Albanian President Sali Berisha and Mr. Brozy are at odds with each other, which may become evident at today's trial. As the situation stands at present, Theodoros Bezianis is serving a three-year jail term, Vangelis Papachristou two years and four months, Panayiotis Martos two years and four months and Costas Kyriakou two years and seven months, while Heracles Syrmos was released over the Christmas break by order of President Berisha.