Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-09-01

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From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <[email protected]>

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No. 1277), September 1, 1997

Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: [email protected]

CONTENTS

[01] Pangalos denounces Turkish post-Madrid policy

[02] Greece expresses grief at Diana's tragic death

[03] Greece can help Turkey's EU ambitions, Papandreou says

[04] Turkey should support EU membership of Cyprus, Poos says

[05] Former US senator: Cyprus resolution the key to better Greek-Turkish relations

[06] Tsohatzopoulos: Turkey's behaviour self-defeating

[07] Karamanlis slams Gov't economic policy

[08] Karamanlis, Simitis to meet today

[09] President: Turkish hesitation to go to court revealing

[10] Athens Summit '97 winds up sessions

[11] Pangalos criticizes Skopje's lack of willingness to find solution

[01] Pangalos denounces Turkish post-Madrid policy

Athens, 01/09/1997 (ANA)

Responding to recent declarations by Turkish officials on Cyprus and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash's treats of war if Cyprus becomes a European Union member, Mr. Pangalos said: "The international community, and the United States in the first place, should take measures against Turkey, show Turkey rules of conduct and if it does not respect them take economic measures and measures concerning armaments against it".

Mr. Pangalos criticized Turkey for its stance following the Madrid communique, stressing that there was now an issue of a political framework, and revealing that, for this reason, the scheduled meeting next month between the two countries' committees of experts would not take place.

"The Turkish government has to explain to us what its final position is in relation to claims raised on Imia, as well as a number of other islands in the Aegean under Greek sovereignty," stressed the minister.

Mr. Pangalos said he will raise "everything that followed Madrid" with his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem, at a meeting requested by the Turkish minister to take place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, and will ask him "how he perceives the continuation of contacts".

Mr. Pangalos will also seek a meeting with Richard Holbrooke, the US president's emissary on Cyprus, during his visit to the UN, in order to discuss with him "the entire range of issues".

Nevertheless, he clarified that the government had no reason to deviate from its policy, which he describes as "modest" and "constructive".

Statements by Turkish deputy prime minister Bulent Ecevit threatening to annex the Turkish-occupied north of Cyprus, Mr. Pangalos said, indicated that "Turkey is a problem to international order".

Commenting on the issue raised by statements last week by Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini that there were "two governments" on Cyprus, Mr. Pangalos said he was aware of the fact that at the US State Department, as well as at "some European ministries", there is the perception that "no-one should do anything to displease Turkey".

However, he clarified that Greece is not willing to accept a suspension of Cyprus accession negotiations with the EU, stressing that if such an attempt is made, Greece "has the right to block all EU developments requiring unanimity".

According to Mr. Pangalos, EU accession negotiations will be completed with all countries at the same time and unanimously and admission will be approved for all countries unanimously. He said Greece accepts the idea that progress in the accession of Cyprus to the EU should be an instrument of pressure for the achievement of a solution of the Cyprus problem, but not vice-versa.

[02] Greece expresses grief at Diana's tragic death

Athens, 01/09/1997 (ANA)

Princess Diana and her companion Dodi Al Fayed were killed in a car crash in Paris early yesterday while the two were trying to evade photographers.

"The death of a celebrity always creates sorrow," Mr. Stephanopoulos said in Arcadia, where he was on a visit.

"Diana was a philanthropist. Aware of this was an unfortunate Greek youth who had won her sympathy," he added referring to the princess's visit to Greece last September to attend the funeral of a young lawyer whom she had befriended when he was being treated at a London hospital for cystic fibrosis.

"We are expressing our grief for Diana because the death of a human being, especially in such tragic circumstances, is a most unpleasant event," Press and Media Minister Dimitris Reppas told the Athens News Agency.

"People's private lives must be safeguarded and must be respected by all," said Mr. Reppas, referring to the news that the crash occurred when the car in which Diana was traveling swerved to evade photographers on motorcycles.

Meanwhile, Britain's Ambassador to Greece Sir Michael Llewellyn Smith expressed his sorrow at the death of Princess Diana yesterday in Hania, Crete where he was on a private visit.

"The sorrow is enormous in Great Britain," the British ambassador said.

Main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis also expressed his sympathy.

According to an ANA dispatch from London, Diana's close friend Rosa Monckton, who accompanied the princess on her visit to Greece last month, said "she was glad and in good mood during the few days of her Greek holidays", adding that the Greek press "were discreet and professional".

Sources at the Greek Embassy in London said that Princes Diana was about to be decorated by the Greek state for her humanitarian activities.

[03] Greece can help Turkey's EU ambitions, Papandreou says

Athens, 01/09/1997 (ANA)

Speaking in Komotini, Mr. Papandreou said Greece desired good relations with its neighbour, relations that would be governed by principles and rules.

Greece's prerequisites for Turkey's accession to the European Union, he said, are respect for human rights, international and minority rights, the acceptance of international treaties, active political will to resolve the Cypriot problem and an end to expansionist designs on neighbouring countries, particularly Greece, a member of the EU.

He noted that "unfortunately, with recent statements, positions have appeared which are foreign to the spirit of the recent Madrid communique."

"If these statements are not chance statements, then Turkey is once again distancing itself from a European prospective. And the thing Turkey has to understand is that Greece can help this prospect in Europe. If Turkey understands this, it will also understand that it is not in its interests to maintain instability and the shame of occupation which exists in Cyprus, as well as designs in the Aegean," he said.

He noted that the Greek Moslem minority had "a significant and important" role to play in the European Union. "Our aim is to contribute so that the Moslems of Greece can be, are and will feel like European citizens because this will show and contribute generally not only to better understanding between peoples but to the presence of Greece which has also activated this dynamic factor of its society."

[04] Turkey should support EU membership of Cyprus, Poos says

Turkey should give full support to Cyprus becoming a member of the European Union (EU), the Foreign Minister of Luxembourg and current EU Council President Jacques Poos said yesterday in Ankara.

The semi-official news agency Anadolu quoted Mr. Poos, on a one-day visit to Ankara, as saying that EU membership will facilitate a solution to the protracted Cyprus problem.

"Turkey should be the foremost country to ask for Cyprus' membership to the Union. Turkish Cypriots should of course be included in the deal," Mr. Poos said.

The minister was to meet later with Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem to discuss Turkey's bid to enter the EU and relations between Turkey, Greece and Cyprus.

In mid-July, the European Commission published a report including Cyprus among the six countries expected to be invited to take part in EU expansion talks next year.

The commission's decision drew strong criticism from both Turkey, which was also not on the list, and Turkish Cypriots.

Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash has recently threatened with war and not to attend the UN-sponsored intercommunal talks for a solution on the island if the EU initiates accession talks with Cyprus. Mr. Poos was in Athens on Friday, where he held talks with Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

[05] Former US senator: Cyprus resolution the key to better Greek-Turkish relations

Athens, 01/09/1997 (ANA)

In statements to the ANA on the sidelines of the "Athens Summit '97", an international congress titled "Democracy and Development: Europe's Contribution to the Globalization of the Economy", Mr. Brademas said that the Cyprus problem was an anchor "tied around Turkey's neck" which will not allow it to join Europe. He said however that he was pleased that many Turkish businessmen desire a settlement of the problem.

Commenting on the Madrid communique, signed between Greece and Turkey on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Madrid this summer in an effort to normalize relations between the two NATO allies, Mr. Brademas said that he was encouraged by the development and that he thought it was a step forward.

Mr. Brademas, who is of Greek descent and who has also served as president of New York University, said: "My own opinion is that the resolution of the Cyprus problem is the major key to the improvement of relations between Greece and Turkey and therefor e I am very pleased that President Clinton has appointed Richard Holbrooke, whom I know very well, to be a special envoy to focus on the Cyprus problem."

Asked what he envisaged would be a success for Mr. Holbrooke, US President Bill Clinton's emissary on the Cyprus problem, Mr. Brademas said:

"I don't want to be too precise other than to say that my view is that getting an arrangement where there is a constitutional structure, that will have one country, one sovereignty, with respect for the rights of all the people - Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots - which will make it possible for the north to be able to improve its standard of living, would be in the interest of Turkish Cypriots and this, of course, means that the Turkish military forces must be withdrawn and I think that the present prospect of beginning negotiations for entry of Cyprus into the EU should be regarded as a step forward.

"My own opinion is that in the long run it is much better for Turkey, for the country of Turkey, not to have the albatross of Cyprus around its neck. Because as long as Cyprus remains divided, with Turkish forces there, Turkey will never be able to enter Europe.

"I was in Istanbul in May and I talked there with a number of leading Turkish businessmen and I was impressed by the fact that they clearly want to see the Cyprus problem resolved. They know that the present situation which has being going on for 23 years now is very bad for Turkey. Not only bad for the people of Cyprus.

Asked to comment on Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash's recent statements that Cyprus' accession to the European Union could lead to war as well as to statements by Turkish leaders which are not compatible with the spirit of the Madrid communique, Mr. Brademas said:

"I don't want to pour oil on fire. Mr. Denktash is in a situation where any change is not good for him. So you have to take this into account when you listen to some of his rhetoric.

"I'm familiar with those statements and I guess I can say that I do not agree with them. After all Mr. (Bulent) Ecevit was the man who was prime minister when Turkish military forces invaded Cyprus. So he has a long history in that respect, and he has not made a constructive contribution to the resolution of the problem."

The Athens Summit '97 officially opened at the historic Pnyx Hill at the Acropolis late on Friday.

The three-day congress was organized by the National Technical University of Athens, under the auspices of the European Parliament and European Commission President Jacques Santer.

[06] Tsohatzopoulos: Turkey's behaviour self-defeating

Athens, 01/09/1997 (ANA)

Speaking on the sidelines of a two-day conference on narcotics abuse in Thessaloniki, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos told reporters that "all international organizations on security, stability and co-operation, to which Turkey belongs, cannot accept behaviour which is in essence a repetition of the annexation used by Hitler in the Second World War, when he annexed a part of Czechoslovakia".

The actions of Turkey "which now attempts to annex (occupied) northern Cyprus, cannot be accepted by the international community", he said.

"The sooner the Turkish side realizes this, the easier it will be for it to be eased into a prospect of convergence with Europe, with the free world and with a prospect of inclusion in the procedures and practices of all those countries which today demand security, stability and co-operation," he said.

"This has yet greater significance in relation with Cyprus, with new prospects opening up for a just solution of the Cypriot issue on the basis of a widely-accepted formula, accession to the European Union, accession to international security organizations, so as to restore the unity of the Cypriot republic which will enable the two communities to live together in peace," he said.

[07] Karamanlis slams Gov't economic policy

Athens, 01/09/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Karamanlis stressed that the country "deserved better luck" and that while Greece should not miss European economic and monetary unification, this could not be achieved under the current economic policy.

He accused the government of "partisan expediency" over the merger of smaller communities and municipalities into larger entities under the 'Kapodistrias' program.

Speaking on tourism, the ND leader underlined that there was no room for "lack of seriousness", saying that the country was in need of major infrastructure projects and a different policy.

[08] Karamanlis, Simitis to meet today

Athens, 01/09/1997 (ANA)

The letter was sent to Mr. Simitis following media reports that he was personally reprimanded at a Cabinet meeting last week.

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas revealed the two would meet while speaking to reporters yesterday in Arcadia where he is accompanying President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos on a tour of the region.

According to Mr. Reppas, nobody in the government beside the premier is aware of the contents of Mr. Kastanidis's letter.

In a statement released late on Saturday, Mr. Kastanidis said he wanted no further misinterpretation of his political line, which solely comprised backing for Prime Minister Costas Simitis in carrying out the government's tasks.

Mr. Kastanidis made no reference to resignation in the statement.

On Saturday, Mr. Reppas said that Mr. Simitis had made no reference to individual ministers during a cabinet meeting on Friday.

According to government sources, the prime minister had urged ministers collectively to show better coordination, co-operation and solidarity.

Mr. Kastanidis was reportedly angered by media reports on Saturday claiming he was the butt of Mr.Simitis's criticism.

[09] President: Turkish hesitation to go to court revealing

Athens, 01/09/1997 (ANA)

Speaking in Sparti, during his tour of the Peloponnese, the president said that Turkey could not continue to refuse to seek recourse to the courts over its claims but hesitated to do so because it realized the unfairness of its claims.

"Greece's rights were recognized on the basis of international treaties," said the president, "while Turkey continued putting forward unacceptable claims in relation to the Aegean."

Commenting on the meeting of Greek and Turkish expert committees scheduled for next month, Mr. Stephanopoulos said he hoped the process of peacefully resolving differences between the two countries would succeed, but at the same time stressed he had certain reservations.

[10] Athens Summit '97 winds up sessions

Athens, 01/09/1997 (ANA)

The event was organized by the National Technical University of Athens (EMP).

During Saturday's sessions, discussions focused on issues such as Europe's institutional course, the role of the European Parliament, the future of a social Europe and the expansion of the European Union (EU).

Foreign Under-secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis expressed the Greek government's fixed position to overcome anything standing in the way of Cyprus' entry into the EU. Greece favours a simultaneous opening of accession negotiations for all applicant nations, i n March 1998, with Cyprus being in the first group of countries to open negotiations with the EU.

According to Mr. Kranidiotis, the accession of Cyprus to the EU will serve as a catalyst to a solution of the Cyprus issue. The foreign under-secretary described those wanting a Cyprus solution to take place prior to the island's accession as unacceptable .

Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou stressed that the Greek government was in favour of the upgrading of the Europarliament's role and the overall strengthening of European institutions. The alternate foreign minister said Europe's institutional development was connected to the protection and development of democracy and peoples' rights.

In yesterday's third and final day of the summit, issues examined included labour, developmental and environmental concerns.

[11] Pangalos criticizes Skopje's lack of willingness to find solution

Athens, 01/09/1997 (ANA)

Commenting on recent statements by President of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Kiro Gligorov, Mr. Pangalos accused the neighbouring state of having rejected all the proposals on a mutually-acceptable name put forth by the United Nations mediator Cyrus Vance, at a time when Greece was willing to discuss the proposals.

He clarified that the final official name for Skopje should be mutually-acceptable and the name "Republic of Macedonia" could not be its official name. He added that the final name to be given to Skopje has to be approved by the Greek Parliament and the Greek people, not just the Greek government.

The foreign minister estimates that the UN process under mediator Cyrus Vance will be completed by the end of the year. In the case talks fail, he sees two options: first, that the current name Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia remain applicable; and second, Skopje calling itself the name it wishes, which Mr. Pangalos believes is unlikely.

However, in case the second option prevails, Mr. Pangalos warns of problems "which will not be due to the Greek government's ill-will". The minister called on FYROM to seriously consider the outcome of the UN-sponsored talks, which may as well be that " we come to the conclusion that it is not worth being occupied with Skopje and its population".

End of English language section.

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